For their second away game of the season, Chesterfield made the trip down south to National League newcomers Oxford City FC. Oxford City were promoted via the playoffs from the National League South last season and with playoff heartbreak still in minds of Chesterfield fans, players and staff alike they travelled down looking for a win to carry on their perfect start to the season.

Oxford’s Court Place farm is a charming small ground. Chesterfield’s impressive following was housed in the small, covered terrace behind one of the goals that was made up of just three concrete steps. Some Spireites also took up a portion of the seated stand on one side of the pitch. On the other side of the pitch were the majority of Oxford fans in a slightly larger terrace and a smaller seated stand. The stadium had a real non-league feel- tall trees loomed over one side of the pitch and the smell of a burger stand wafted around the ground.

It was a changed starting eleven to the side that dispatched AFC Fylde the Saturday prior. Centre half Ash Palmer started instead of Tyrone Williams who was being rested because of a hamstring injury. James Berry made his debut for the club after recently signing from Macclesfield and Michael Jacobs made his first start after two decent substitute appearances.

Paul Cook also used the game to test out a different formation to his preferred 4-2-3-1, deciding to instead deploy a 4-3-3. Most surprising perhaps was the fact that only one true central midfielder was in the starting eleven- Tom Naylor anchored the midfield 3 with Liam Mandeville and Michael Jacobs playing further back than their preferred positions either side of him.

Unfortunately, this midfield 3 experiment didn’t work as well as Paul Cook would have hoped. Naylor did well to soak up pressure and make interceptions, but Mandeville and Jacobs lacked presence in the middle of the pitch. In positions they are less comfortable in neither player made much of an impact onto the game in the first half, unable to make accurate passes, ariel challenges or stamp their authority in any way.

Chesterfield found it difficult to break down Oxford City who were well set up to absorb pressure. Oxford won the battle in the midfield, able to get a foot onto every second ball, and this led to Chesterfield trying to get their forwards involved with long balls that were either overhit or easily dealt with by Oxford’s deep back line.

Going forwards, new signing James Berry was the most impressive for the Spireites. The winger was direct, ran with the ball and sought to take chances himself when he couldn’t make a positive pass. At the end of the first half one of his direct runs led to a great shot that was saved. The resulting corner was taken brilliantly by Berry and was met by Tom Naylor to put Chesterfield into half time with a one goal advantage.

The second half was as quiet as much of the first half but on 61 minutes Oxford City found an equaliser. A mistake from Ash Palmer let Oxford make ground in Chesterfield’s half and create an attack. Midfielder Lewis Coyle was able to put a cross in that was met by Josh Parker to volley it home past ‘keeper Harry Tyrer at the back post.

Substitutions and a change of tactics were what saved the night for Chesterfield. Just before Oxford’s equaliser Ollie Banks came on for the impressive Berry and Chesterfield shifted to their usual 4-2-3-1 formation. Ten minutes later Jeff King was given his first minutes of the season when he replaced Branden Horton which injected some more quality on the left flank which was much needed. Finally with five minutes left on the clock Darren Oldaker replaced Liam Mandeville.

These substitutions and the change in formation meant that Chesterfield finally had some control of the midfield, Banks and Oldaker who are more comfortable in the middle of the pitch were able to assert their authority well.

Harry Tyrer in the Chesterfield goal also made some good stops to deny Oxford a second goal.

It took until the 88^th minute for Chesterfield to regain the lead. A quick move going forward involving Jeff King in the build up left Oldaker with the ball on the edge of the box. From there, Oldaker did very well to stay calm and composed and he made a smart pass to Will Grigg near the penalty spot who made no mistake and slotted it past Chris Haigh in the Oxford goal.

Will Grigg, with two goals in two games, has done well to assert himself as Chesterfield’s front man and with more good moments will silence all of his critics. A reliable goal scorer who can make the difference when it really counts is something Chesterfield were desperately lacking for most of last season.

With three wins from three Chesterfield are off to a great start but Oldham at home on Saturday will likely be their toughest test yet. Paul Cook’s tactical tinkering has shown that he’s not just a one trick pony but a different midfield 3 would be needed if he wants to employ a 4-3-3 against stronger opposition. There are many positives to take out of what was quite an underwhelming match, but it proved to be a learning opportunity for Cook and his players and most importantly another 3 points for the Spireites.