Gary Johnson’s side will be looking to follow up their win against York City, as they head to Chesterfield on Tuesday looking for a sixth win in a row.
Following an Aaron Jarvis hat-trick giving United a 3-2 win against York City on Saturday here at Plainmoor, Chesterfield are next up for the Gulls with Paul Cook’s side currently sitting in third place in the National League table.
Who’s the Boss?
Paul Cook is currently enjoying his second spell at the helm, after returning to the club in February, seven years after his first stint managing the side. During his first spell in charge, Cook guided the club to the League Two title, and the League One play-offs. Upon his return to the Spireites earlier this year, the 55-year-old’s side went on to claim the final play-off spot at the end of the season. After overcoming FC Halifax Town 2-1 in their eliminator, his side succumbed to defeat against Solihull Moors (3-1) in their semi-final clash.
Cook’s side had a great start to the season, and went on a 10 game unbeaten run, which eventually came to an end when his side slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Maidenhead United on 1st October – with the run of form also seeing his side score 21 goals.
In between his time at the Technique Stadium, Cook enjoyed much success at the likes of Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic. During a two year spell at Portsmouth, he won the League Two title, meanwhile his three-year stint at the helm of Wigan included a League One title. Cook then went on to spend nine months at Ipswich Town, preceding his Chesterfield return in February.
Prior to his first stint at Chesterfield, Cook began his managerial career at Southport before management roles at Sligo Rovers and Accrington Stanley followed. As a player, Cook was a creative midfielder and played for the likes of Wigan Athletic, Wolves, Coventry City and Burnley.
How have they been doing?
Paul Cook’s Spireites have had a good season and will be looking to extend it in the Play-Offs at the end of the season, and the chance to regain their Football League status with his team currently battling with Woking for that third placed finish to guarantee a home Semi Final game.
The season began in fine form with the club going unbeaten in their first ten games, including a 2-0 home win over Wrexham, with that run being brought to an end by Maidenhead, who won 2-1 at the Technique Stadium at the start of October. That defeat was followed by another two at the hands of Dagenham & Redbridge and Eastleigh, before Chesterfield went on another little run going unbeaten in their next nine league and cup games including cup wins over Northampton & AFC Wimbledon, as well as an impressive 5-1 win here at Plainmoor in November.
The Spireite’s came into 2023 nicely placed but the end of January brought a terrible run of form, with a defeat at Barnet starting a four match losing run, and with just draws and defeats following that Paul Cook’s side went nine games without a win, before a 2-1 victory at Gateshead at the beginning of March halted that run, and has brought just one defeat in ten games, with the last of those ten games being their 3-2 win over Eastleigh on Saturday. Coming into this fixture Chesterfield are third with a record that reads 23 wins, 9 draws and 11 defeats, with 78 points from their 43 games played so far this season.
Player to Watch
Armando Dobra arrived at the Technique Stadium in the summer of 2022 following his release from Ipswich Town, and has so far scored ten leagues goals in his games played, making him the current Chesterfield top scorer with three games to go. Dobra came through the youth ranks at Portman Road, signing his first professional contract before the start of the 2019/20 season, and in his three years with the Tractor Boys he made 22 appearances, while also spending last season out on loan at League Two Colchester United, where he scored one goal in his eleven games for the club. The attacking midfielder has also played International games for Albania at U17 level, where he played seven games and scored one goal, and then at U21 level where he has played eleven games and scored the one goal.
Played for both
Aaron Downes began his career in England at Hampton & Richmond in the 2003/04 season, before moving to Frickley Athletic the following year, and it was at the end of that season that Chesterfield came calling, leading to Downes spending eight years with the Spireite’s, with only a six month loan spell at Bristol Rovers in January 2012 breaking that time. Up0n his release from the East Midlands club, the defender arrived at Plainmoor, where in a three year spell he played over 100 games, scoring 15 goals. Cheltenham Town were next after he left the English Riviera, with the Robins being the final destination of his playing career, as in December 2018 Aaron teamed up with Gary Johnson to return to Plainmoor in his current Assistant Manger role.
Previous Encounter
Chesterfield 2 – 2 Torquay United, Saturday 25th September 2021, National League.
Last seasons trip to the Technique Stadium brought a heroic last-gasp fightback from Gary Johnson’s side, as they secured a dramatic 2-2 draw in front of the BT cameras.. After dealing so well with everything the league leaders could throw at them for the first hour, it was Chesterfield striker Kabongo Tshimanga who looked to have turned the game in his side’s favour with two second-half efforts, however just as time was running out, the returning Armani Little struck to give his side late hope, before Tom Lapslie bundled home an even-later leveller to send the travelling Yellow Army into delirium.
Chesterfield v Torquay United | Tuesday 18th April 2023 7:45pm | National League | TICKETS | OFFICIAL TUFC RADIO