Chesterfield are opening up a gap from their rivals in this season’s National League, as they look to join Harrogate Town in League 2 next season. Of course, that will mean that the Sulphurites will have to confirm their own place in the division for next season, but once again they are holding their own in mid-table and will hopefully stay well away from the relegation places.
Chesterfield’s Cracking Campaign
Much like Wrexham and Notts County last season, Chesterfield are blowing away the competition in the National League. The Spireites are clear at the top and are both outscoring and conceding less than any of their rivals.
It is no surprise then, that they find themselves at the head of the odds on the National League, and if they continue in the same vein of form, they could be the latest team to break the 100-point mark in a season. Even before the midway point of the campaign, Chesterfield have already surpassed a total of 50 points.
Will Grigg’s on Fire
It was a football chant that became famous across Europe during the 2016 European Championships and has even been released as a music single. The chant of “Will Grigg’s on fire, your defence is terrified” was sung at nearly every game in the tournament, particularly at Northern Ireland games where Grigg was a player.
Grigg’s career faltered after his newfound fame in Europe, however, but the striker is aflame again as he leads the line for Chesterfield this season. He has already bagged over 10 goals, and with Joe Quigley and Tom Naylor also finding the net regularly, The Spireites are worthy favourites to make it back into league football for the first time since 2017/18.
How Are Harrogate Fairing?
It has been three years now since it was Harrogate Town’s turn to make it to the English Football League. A fairytale playoff final win over Notts County saw the team make it to the big time for the first time in their history. Since then they have managed to avoid relegation, and that is looking like being the case again this season.
The Sulphurites are sitting comfortably in mid-table and have recorded some impressive wins along the way. An 8-0 loss to Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Cup was the low point, but the importance of staying in the league far outweighs any potential cup run.
Manage, Simon Weaver has distilled a strong work ethic into his players, and the style of play under the boss at the EnviroVent Stadium has been appreciated by the fans. The experienced George Thomson has been key to all that is good at the club this season, with his goal contributions and all-round influence being a big help to his younger teammates.
The experienced pair of Jack Muldoon and Anthony O’Connor have also been pivotal, and Harrogate will need these three wily veterans to keep performing at their highest level if safety is to be achieved once again.
As it stands, both Harrogate Town and Chesterfield are on course for League 2 football next season, something for both sets of fans to look forward to.
