Chesterfield produced a highly encouraging performance to defeat League Two outfit Bradford City 3-0 at The Technique Stadium in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon.
A brace from Joe Quigley and an excellent strike from Liam Mandeville all within the first 15 minutes of the second half saw the Spireites run out comfortable winners against higher-tier opposition who are further into their pre-season campaign in comparison to Chesterfield.
Chesterfield played some lovely football in the first half and could count themselves unfortunate to not have the lead going into the interval. Right from the off, the Derbyshire outfit played a very pleasing brand of quick passing and pressing which caused Bradford problems from the opening whistle. While we mustn't forget this wasn't a competitive match, the style of play does indicate that Paul Cook has now very much stamped his authority on the club once again and his new signings fit into his style of football much better than last season's squad that he inherited from James Rowe.
The first real chance for Chesterfield fell in the 13th minute when summer signing Darren Oldaker skied his 18 yard effort following a lovely phase of passing play. Five minutes later, Chesterfield's smart possession of the ball almost led them to breaking the deadlock. Striker Akwasi Asante found space following a short through ball to strike with venom from around 15 yards out. The attempt was well saved by Bantams goalkeeper Harry Lewis but the Dutchman's striker was struck too hard to keep hold of and he was fortunate that Liam Mandeville's rebound effort was blazed over the bar from close range.
A flurry of goals were then ruled out for offside. Bradford thought they'd taken the lead following a quick counter attack but the goal was immediately ruled out for offside. In the 20th minute, a lovely left-wing delivery from Jeff King found an unmarked Armando Dobra who headed smartly home into the net from close range. The Albanian's joy was short-lived though as the assistant referee's flag was correctly raised for offside. Remarkably, another goal was ruled out for offside just five minutes later and it was the Bantams who once again breathed a sigh of relief. It was Joe Quigley this time who found himself scuppered by the assistant referee's flag as he turned home a cross from close range only to see his celebrations called to a screeching halt.
Despite the Spireites being the better team in the opening 45 minutes, Bradford came close to taking the lead on the stroke of half-time. With just the goalkeeper to beat, the Bantams attack were thwarted by an excellent block from Brazilian summer signing Lucas Covolan.
Spireites gaffer Paul Cook must have been pleased with what he saw from his team in the first half. He would certainly be more than just pleased with what the Spireites created in the second 45 minutes of the game.
Chesterfield stepped it up an extra gear at the beginning of the second half and it was simply too much for the Bantams to handle. The opening 15 minutes of the second 45 didn't just see the Spireites break the deadlock but saw them kill the game off altogether against higher-level opposition.
After only four minutes played following the re-start, striker Joe Quigley scored the first goal of the game as he bundled the ball home from close range. This was just the start though of a wonderful period of play from the boys in blue.
Just moments later, Branden Horton was very unlucky to see his effort from just inside the penalty area cannon back off the post following an excellent team move which had the Bantams all at sea.
In the 57th minute, Quiqley doubled Chesterfield's advantage and secured his second goal of the afternoon when he smartly slotted the ball home from 12 yards out following an excellent delivery from Branden Horton who had an outstanding game at full-back and was, for me, the best player on the pitch.
Just two minutes later, the Spireites all but sealed victory when Liam Mandeville's rocket of an effort from 15 yards out flew past Bradford's goalkeeper and smashed the back of the net to suddenly make the scoreline 3-0 to the hosts.
The intensity of the game dipped slightly from this point onwards but Chesterfield still managed to control the game and dictate the play for large parts of the final half an hour without being able to add another goal.
Bradford almost managed to grab a consolation goal in the very last minute of the game when a 20 yard effort clipped the cross bar and went out for a goal kick.
All in all, Saturday's game couldn't have gone any better for Paul Cook. While it must be stressed that the serious games haven't started yet, Cook must surely be very encouraged by his new-look side's performance against EFL opposition.
Chesterfield team: Covolan, Horton, Grimes, Mandeville, Williams, Dobra, Asante, King, Oldaker, Quigley, Banks. List of substitutes not published by Chesterfield for this game.
Attendance: 2,408