January 2012

The North Derbyshire men have booked their place at the Home of Football on March 25 thanks to a brave, gutsy display against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.

Inspired by man-of-the-match goalkeeper Tommy Lee, the Spireites smothered the home team’s numerous attempts on goal, with ‘two banks of four’ smothering the Latics, before Jack Lester scored a late winner in a classic sucker punch.

After Lee made a great, late save from Oldham danger man Shefki Kuqi, it felt like it might just be Chesterfield’s night, and so it proved when Lester bundled home after a late defensive mix-up.

John Sheridan, six years an Oldham Athletic player, came back to haunt his old club and was thrilled with every one of his players at the final whistle.

He said: “It is great for everyone involved. Supporters, players and the people involved with the club.

“We’ll go to the final, have a good day ad obviously we will go to try and win it. I have told the lads to enjoy the occasion because it doesn’t come around regularly. To get to a Wembley final is a great achievement and I am so proud of the players.

Man-of-the-match Tommy Lee was similarly delighted after picking up his bottle of champagne.

The keeper said: “We had a gameplan, stuck to it and then Jack Lester popped up at the end and secured it for us. There were 11 man-of-the-matches out there.

“I made a fair few saves but credit to the lads, they all stuck in there.”

Goal hero Jack Lester said: “I think we deserved it and we are excited about it. I think we have turned the corner now. That’s four wins on the bounce. We are playing some good football and are one of the form sides.”

Sky Sports pundit Peter Beagrie was fulsome in his praise of both sides, and said there was nothing more that the home side could have done, after peppering Chesterfield’s goal for so long.

“Oldham couldn’t have done any more. They attacked in numbers and they have come out with an enormous amount of credit.

“Oldham stuck to their principles, got it wide and got it in the box. Paul Dickov is a very good manager and they will be okay this season.”

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