The Leader of the Pack

Crewe 2 Chesterfield 0

A bright and early start for me this week, as I finally got round to having a lucky walk pre-match. Off up to Bickerton for a yomp round the Barnet route - about an hour of walking round the Sandstone Trail, up and over Rawhead.  Did it in a reasonable time this week with one or two fewer rest stops than normal, although the killer final ascent still nearly did me in.
Anyhoo, having managed the walk, it was off up to Fortress Gresty to watch the Alex take on runaway league leaders, Chesterfield. Having given them at an almighty scare in the game at their place earlier in the season, I was looking forward to seeing how the Alex would do at home. Both sides try to play attractive football, so we were almost guaranteed a goal fest. It didn't turn out quite like that, of course.
With Crewe unchanged from the side that beat Burton and then lost at Macclesfield it was anyone's guess which of those sides would turn up. Luckily for us home fans, we got the Burton-beaters, although they didn't start quite like that team. In fact Chesterfield had the best of the early chances, but there was nothing terribly clear-cut. Crewe did show, however, that they had the pace and skill to cause the Chesterfield defence plenty of trouble. Having hit the post earlier, Donaldson put Crewe ahead about ten minutes before half time. Strike partner Miller, chipped the ball up to him and he juggled it round the defender and into the area before slipping the ball through the keeper's legs. Fantastic work by "Donaldinho", emphasising just how much we'll miss him when he's gone.
In the second half, Crewe rode their (and my) luck a bit, seeing a shot hit the post and Lester making a right Horlicks of the rebound and then Taylor making a fine low stop before the ball was scrambled away following a corner. But the result was put to bed when substitute Danny Shelley rocketed in a low free-kick, which the Chesterfield keeper could do nothing about.
So a good 2-0 win against the league leaders and almost conclusive proof that the Saturday morning walks do affect the out come of Crewe games! 'Tis just a pity that our next game is at home on Tuesday night.  Wonder if the boss (also a Crewe fan) will let me have the afternoon off...?