Chesterfield 1-3 Woking – ‘Little old Woking’ win yet again as Spireites stunned

Woking defied all expectations thanks to a blistering quick first-half rampage. Darren Sarll’s men produced the shock of the night as they comfortably beat league title chasers Chesterfield.

The Cards started well and within the first two minutes, James Daly and Padraig Amond linked up well down the left, but Daly’s effort went just wide of the far post.

That didn’t matter though as just four minutes later the visitors were ahead. A deflection off Jamie Grimes allowed Rhys Browne to pass across the box to Amond, who took the defender out of the way, before slotting home into the net.

In just two minutes time, the lead had been doubled. A mistake from Ash Palmer allowed Daly in through on goal and he rounded the oncoming Lucas Covolan to score a wonderful goal from a tight angle. His persistence to press the ball and take it past the ‘keeper was breathtaking.

The host’s first chance came around when Ryan Colclough's effort from range was only kept out due to a brilliant save from Craig Ross.

Another opportunity arose for The Spireites when Armando Dobra tried to curl an effort from the edge of the area into the top corner, but another fantastic save from Ross kept it out.

Just past the half-hour mark, it was three! Covolan made many errors in an awfully poor display and after being heavily pressed, he gave the ball to Daly who fired a cross into ex-Chesterfield midfielder Jim Kellermann to head home. This saw Woking fans celebrate the like crazy in the away end, with a hint of disbelief but was out noised with boos from the home supporters.

HT: 0-3

In the second half, Chesterfield managed to pull a goal back when the ball fell to Liam Mandeville who smashed the ball from the edge of the area into the bottom corner. There was no chance for Ross in between the sticks.

After a period of pressure from the home side, The Cards pushed forward again after dealing with the threat really well.

Kellermann made way with ten minutes left on the clock on his return to the Technique Stadium and received a standing ovation from the away section as he played an absolute blinder. It’s clear though that any love he once felt in Derbyshire has now vanished, after his fantastic game management throughout the 90 minutes.

FT: 1-3

Nights like these are why I love supporting this club. To see a game look totally out of our favour, actually go our way, is a beautiful feeling and makes you think that anything is possible.

The win now sees Woking have a 15-point lead on eighth place and with 17 games to go, playoffs really do look like they could be on their way to Surrey. The ambition will be to keep taking it game by game and try to clinch third place for the bye into the semi-final, with home advantage. #COYCards

Chesterfield Starting XI: Covolan, Horton, Grimes, Palmer, King (82), Oldaker (68), Banks, Mandeville, Colclough (68), Dobra, Quigley

Subs: Uchegbulam (68), Jones, Akinola (68), Maguire, Sheckleford (82)

Woking Starting XI: Ross, Casey, Cuthbert, Wilkinson, Daly, Amond, Moss, Browne (59), Kellermann (79), Anderson (13), Ince

Subs: Lofthouse (59), McNerney, O’Connell (79), Hessenthaler (13), Dackers

Attendance: 5,499

Man of the Match: James Daly