Pretty comprehensive win. Defensively sound against a team that constantly pumped the ball up route one. I was surprised when Collins got straight back in but in fairness he was immense today against a giant who looked for all the world like someone in your Sunday League team who should've hung up his boots a decade ago. Both full backs did very well again.
Town are clearly now trying to play the game the right way. Some of the quick passing is a joy to watch. It doesn't come off all the time but it is League Two level.
First goal was a scramble but the second was worthy both for the persistence of Clifton and the absolutely sublime pass to him by Thomas. That goal killed Chesterfield off and we could've had two or three more with a bit more composure.
The fans were as usual magnificent apart from the strange lad who took a swing at the drummer for what only God knows.
Clifton reaped the plaudits at the end but maybe we need to start recognising that Vernam is also "One of our own"...

It's nice not to slip on banana skins.

Nice to put a 'tinpot' side to the sword. 8) How quickly situations can change.

That giant is only 29 years old, that’s one hell of a tough paper round.

Concur with Barra's summary - a very satisfactory afternoon, made even better for me by finding myself next to and chatting with Brian Hill, Town winger in the sixties, full of stories about legendary players from Town and elsewhere. A lovely bloke.

Quoted from pontoonlew

That giant is only 29 years old, that’s one hell of a tough paper round.

I saw him playing for North ferriby a few times, he was rubbish then,haven't got a clue how he's got a contract at that MASSIVE club Chesterfield.

A tough physical battle for most part. They had a few big uns but little idea. Typical non league battlers, there is a significant difference between the Conference and League 2 these days!😉

We were no great shakes in the first half when Fox and Collins were our best performers. Couldn’t get hold of it in midfield were only Hessenthaler was on it.

Vernam goal gave us a foot hold and the longer it went on our ‘footballers’ began to take control. Clifton really came to the fore along with Embleton after a quiet first hour and in the end we outclassed them and could/should have had more.

Hope we get a decent draw, hope it isn’t Gillingham or even Luton. Got a feeling we are going to Middlesbrough🤪

Wasnt great wasnt pretty but we won. Enjoyed the away end. They were hopeless

Quoted from SpudUDontLike

Concur with Barra's summary - a very satisfactory afternoon, made even better for me by finding myself next to and chatting with Brian Hill, Town winger in the sixties, full of stories about legendary players from Town and elsewhere. A lovely bloke.

Used to like Brian a lot. He ran like a young colt and was just as skinny!

Quoted from TheRonRaffertyFanClub

Used to like Brian a lot. He ran like a young colt and was just as skinny!

The Telewag used to call him "pencil-slim Brian Hill"!

we are in the draw so thats what counts but thought we made far too hard work of it....first half we sat off them far too much and gave them some belief/ confidence...our goal was out of the blue as we hadnt created anything.
Second half again slow start but picked up, especially after the 2nd goal.

Quite amusing to have the whole ground singing " you're getting sacked in the morning" to MadDog Allen.

MOM for me Collins..very solid and calm distribution from the back.

Quoted from Cloudy

A tough physical battle for most part. They had a few big uns but little idea. Typical non league battlers, there is a significant difference between the Conference and League 2 these days!😉

We were no great shakes in the first half when Fox and Collins were our best performers. Couldn’t get hold of it in midfield were only Hessenthaler was on it.

Vernam goal gave us a foot hold and the longer it went on our ‘footballers’ began to take control. Clifton really came to the fore along with Embleton after a quiet first hour and in the end we outclassed them and could/should have had more.

Hope we get a decent draw, hope it isn’t Gillingham or even Luton. Got a feeling we are going to Middlesbrough🤪

Hehe. Strange. I've also got  a feeling we'll get Middlesbrough away!

Quoted from moosey_club

we are in the draw so thats what counts but thought we made far too hard work of it....first half we sat off them far too much and gave them some belief/ confidence...our goal was out of the blue as we hadnt created anything.
Second half again slow start but picked up, especially after the 2nd goal.

Quite amusing to have the whole ground singing " you're getting sacked in the morning" to MadDog Allen.

MOM for me Collins..very solid and calm distribution from the back.

Completely agree. Can't imagine jolley was very happy with most of that performance

Quoted from SpudUDontLike

Concur with Barra's summary - a very satisfactory afternoon, made even better for me by finding myself next to and chatting with Brian Hill, Town winger in the sixties, full of stories about legendary players from Town and elsewhere. A lovely bloke.

One of the best games I have been to was when we beat Scunny 7-1 in the 60s and Brian Hill went past defenders as if they were wearing lead boots. :)

A really good win maybe not in terms of performance but in terms of learning for what is in reality a young team but one that week by week look like they are  growing in competence, ability, creativity confidence and unity, I so hope that MJ doesn't  lose any of the current stable starting 11 in January.

MJ has talked about mental strength and today all the work the coaching staff are doing on that kind of thing was evident as under Bignot, Slade and even earlier this season we'd have capitulated against the onslaught that we faced n the first 20 mins.

I also thought that MJ out thought Allen today as they clearly had a plan to move us around to try and make us lose "us shape" but despite that and the standard first half Macca hero moment we stood the test and went in with the lead, deserved? Not undeserved as we'd done a professional job.

To be fair the 2nd half started much like the first half but in reality with them pulling us around a bit but never really testing Macca. Then up popped "one of our own" Harry Clifton who now has the taste for goal and did well at he 2nd attempt to finish a really good break and followed it with the celebration to match. Cut this lad in half and he's got GTFC running through him like a stick of rock.

After the 2nd to be fair we toyed with them a bit and it could be argued squandered some great opportunities but what the hell the young kid are backing themselves and once again today 2 of them got on the score sheet which gives real credibility to MJ;s strategy.

The whole team deserve credit for today personally I really liked Collins who was a real warrior and the mid field quartet who once again always wanted the ball and where keen to work for each other.

However the star of the day was won for me before kick off when after his warm up before going in to get changed Macca gave a little lad down the front his goalie gloves - Pure Gold!! "We're all Town aren't we" well  one lad will be forever after today!

So into the hat and on the road to Wembley?........... #wecanalldream

UTM!

P.S. - Funniest moment of the day was when Mitch (I love a pen) Rose warmed up in front of their player to delay him taking a long throw and then got a big thumbs up from Macca once we'd cleared the threat.



    

Wasn't pretty but we did get the job done and even though they were the ones on the front foot for most of the game, we did defend well against their aerial bombardment all things considering. Bar that chance in the first 20 minutes, I never felt truly we were truly in danger.

Once the second went in, we took control and didn't look back.

Easy peasy squeeze the lemon that is tin pot Chesterfield, knew it would be an easy bagsy to the next round. The next game will more more challenging so fingers crossed we get a chance to progress to the next round.

Winning without playing our absolute best, a very good sign.  I'm continuing to love the engine room of Hess and Harry, they give the side real energy in the middle and it's noticeable how few opposition attacks come through this area now.

Still need to work on being calmer when under pressure and clearing the ball into areas where it doesn't come straight back.  Too any shouts for Thomas to chase down every lost cause when he's playing up front on his own.  He seems to have very good judgement about when closing down a defender or keeper is worthwhile and when it's just a waste of energy. Trust him, he's leading the line excellently.

Quoted from bedders78

Winning without playing our absolute best, a very good sign.  I'm continuing to love the engine room of Hess and Harry, they give the side real energy in the middle and it's noticeable how few opposition attacks come through this area now.

Still need to work on being calmer when under pressure and clearing the ball into areas where it doesn't come straight back.  Too any shouts for Thomas to chase down every lost cause when he's playing up front on his own.  He seems to have very good judgement about when closing down a defender or keeper is worthwhile and when it's just a waste of energy. Trust him, he's leading the line excellently.

I looked at Wes's face shortly before he got subbed he looked really knacked,

I agree he works up on his own most of the time and has a very good judgement on when to chase a ball or not,

His work rate is excellent and his goals are a bonus, keep it up Wes you are well thought of by the club and the fans.

Quoted from Mallyner

One of the best games I have been to was when we beat Scunny 7-1 in the 60s and Brian Hill went past defenders as if they were wearing lead boots. :)

I think that might have been his only hat trick for Town.

A fantastic night (watched it from the open Imperial corner - how I miss the corner area steps, looks so desolate and non-league now being just empty flat spaces)

Rod Green got a hat trick too and the great Sir Matt the other

Thomas set up both goals I thought for him he had a quiet game but two assists I will take that every week ;D

Quoted from 1mickylyons

Thomas set up both goals I thought for him he had a quiet game but two assists I will take that every week ;D

We were having the discussion during the game regards Thomas...for a large proportion of the game he was on a hiding to nothing as the service was poor, Macca's kicks didnt go anywhere near him half the time and he was outnumbered throughout....
however it was noticeable that he virtually didn't move outside of the centre circle when we were defending in open play...he never came across to the likely channel were the ball may be cleared which i thought was quite inept of him...while others thought it must be a clear directive he has rather than his personal decision/ awareness. By him staying central it maybe would leave the channels open for others.  Not sure.

For me he could be more effective not only for his own involvement but for the team, with a bit more anticipation in situations like that then being in the likely area should save energy, give him a fighting chance of retaining the ball helping relieve pressure, it also puts the defenders under pressure preventing them picking a team mate out and possibly having to put the ball straight into touch.

Lovely turn to set Clifton up though.

Quoted from moosey_club

We were having the discussion during the game regards Thomas...for a large proportion of the game he was on a hiding to nothing as the service was poor, Macca's kicks didnt go anywhere near him half the time and he was outnumbered throughout....
however it was noticeable that he virtually didn't move outside of the centre circle when we were defending in open play...he never came across to the likely channel were the ball may be cleared which i thought was quite inept of him...while others thought it must be a clear directive he has rather than his personal decision/ awareness. By him staying central it maybe would leave the channels open for others.  Not sure.

For me he could be more effective not only for his own involvement but for the team, with a bit more anticipation in situations like that then being in the likely area should save energy, give him a fighting chance of retaining the ball helping relieve pressure, it also puts the defenders under pressure preventing them picking a team mate out and possibly having to put the ball straight into touch.

Lovely turn to set Clifton up though.

I have too say Thomas has impressed me since he got match fit he generally works the centre halves even on his own and his lay offs are good.Like you point out his hold up play leaves a bit to be desired BUT I wager he will do Town a massive favour with Cardwell/Rose/Vernam I have high hopes for those 3 and their recent goals will have given them a huge confidence boost.Were scoring goals now and a Month or so ago it didn`t look likely did it?

Thomas plays more like Lump than LJL.

My guess is he is at least in part playing to orders. Keep the centre backs occupied by being around and we will always know where to find you (if and when we hit a decent ball out from the back ;)).

He's good at the layoffs when he gets the chance like for Clifton and his nod on for Vernam from the corner was class.

I missed the first half hour but watched the rest at home.

Sounded like we weathered a storm early on but from the moment i switched it on we were pretty comfortable. Not very composed as the first half ended but certainly some better spells of football and some half-decent breaks forward.

Second half we were a class above them. Moved the ball around really well at times and broke forward very effectively.

Embleton fantastic at drifting into areas behind Chesterfield's midfield where he could pick the ball up on the half-turn and run at their back 4. Hessenthaler and Clifton were very good at finding him and eliminating several Chesterfield players with one pass.

The longer the game went on, we should've scored a good few more than we did. The BBC highlights don't show all our breaks forward in the 2nd half because it seems like they're instructed to only show shots on target. And most of the time we didn't hit the target from decent positions. We seemed to get forward countless times with Clifton joining Vernam, Embleton and Thomas in attack, often against just 3 or 4 defenders. We just didn't take advantage enough of the situations we got into in the final third.

Great set piece for our first goal. Great corner from Pringle and a fantastic flick on from Thomas.
Second goal very well worked, great work by Thomas and a great run off the ball initially from Clifton. Luckily he got a second bite at it as the better decision would've been to square for an Embleton tap-in really.

Thought Martin Allen looked a bit clueless on what to do and don't think he'll be there much longer.

We look to be really developing as a side. With an identity, a structure to what we're doing, and a core of young players at the heart of it. Exciting and interesting times I think.

Also on the set-piece front, that's the third game in a row we've scored a goal from a set-piece.

Before these last 3 games we'd previously only scored once from a set-piece this season.

Regarding Thomas and where he positions himself when we are defending,

I just can't see Jolley saying to him" stand where you like"

Wes will do what MJ tells him to do and stand where he is instructed,

Quoted from Tommy

Great set piece for our first goal. Great corner from Pringle and a fantastic flick on from Thomas.

Really like Pringles technique. His crosses aren't overhit with too much pace as we were seeing at the seasons start, he 'sits the ball up' as the pundits say.
His corners are great, that clever style where you' almost facing 90 degrees away from where the ball is going, with a little twist of the ankle and hips to give a wicked spin to fade/dip the ball.
Hope the set-pieces can really pick up with him and Embletons delivery quality.