Chesterfield on cruise control
by Mike Taylor, 2nd June 2003

On the hottest day of the season, Chesterfield were on fire as they ripped through the Sawley and Long Eaton side, reducing the home team to 83-8 before a belligerent innings from Ahmed Gondal brought a degree of respectability to the all out score of 137.

Such a modest total was never likely to cause problems for an in-form Chesterfield side and with Alan Gofton batting through for a second successive half-century, the visitors cruised to a six wicket win to consolidate their third place in the Premier League.

On electing to bat first, Sawley and Long Eaton Park were soon under pressure from Chesterfield’s hostile opening attack. Paul Goodwin uncharacteristically sprayed the ball around but when on target was causing problems and was denied at least one wicket through overstepping his mark.

At the other end Rahim Karim was bowling with a controlled aggression and took care of both openers before Tim Kirk replaced Goodwin and soon had Ben Spendlove caught behind. This was the start of an outstanding spell of bowling in which he claimed 6 wickets for only 11 runs in 42 balls.

Tim Kirk in action for Chesterfield against Sawley & Long Eaton Park

Ahmed Gondal did his best to repair the damage with 4 sixes and 5 fours but during his fine innings of 61 only 3 runs came off the bat at the other end as the final five wickets fell. Karim returned to the attack and quickly accounted for Gondal to leave him (3-38) and Kirk (7-47) as the wicket takers.

Gondal did his best to get his team back in the game with the early dismissal of Andy Brown but Dean Hopkinson (15), David Adams (19) and Simon Lacey (18) supported Gofton (68*) as Chesterfield secured victory soon after six o’clock.

The outstanding contributions of Kirk and Gofton did not detract from another excellent team performance which included a couple of superb catches (by Fran O’Neill and Brown) and some tight ground fielding.

When news filtered through of Sandiacre Town’s defeat by Clifton thoughts were already turning to the visit of new leaders Denby to Queen’s Park on Saturday.