VIDEO: SPIREITES' GOLDEN GOALS '” Derek Niven scores for Chesterfield against Grimsby Town on return from cancer fight
Each week we are taking a look at some of the best to hit the net for Chesterfield over the past decades. If you have a goal you would like us to feature, email [email protected] with brief details and your memories of the strike and we will try to include in a future article.
This week’s Spireites golden goal came on 11th March, 2009 at Saltergate. It wasn’t just a spectacular strike, for it was really memorable for other reasons.
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Hide AdMidfielder Derek Niven was a true Chesterfield legend. He made almost 300 league appearances in a career that stretched from 2003 to 2012.
We have already seen in this Chesterfield Golden Goals feature that Niven could score spectacular goals — and have featured his strikes that beat Manchester City in the League Cup and marked the end of the Spireites playing at Saltergate.
But this golden goal — mentioned on Twitter by Rob@the_spireite — probably meant more to the tenacious midfielder than any of the 18 he struck in the league for the club.
For it marked his return to goalscoring after a year out of the game fighting testicular cancer.
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Hide AdWATCH Derek Niven score against Grimsby TownFans rally to support DerekThe Spireites, then in League Two, were taking on Grimsby Town, a club Niven was to later join. After a goalless first half, Drew Talbot gave the home side the lead.
Then up stepped Niven 15 minutes from time to smash an unstoppable long-range shot into the back of the net.
He surged forward from midfield, took the ball on to his trusty right foot and sent a dipping drive up and over the keeper.
The goal fittingly proved to be the winner as just a minute later Grimsby pulled a goal back, but Chesterfield hung on to win 2-1.
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Hide AdVIDEO: SPIREITES’ GOLDEN GOALS - Craig Westcarr scores at WembleyVIDEO: SPIREITES’ GOLDEN GOALS - Jamie Hewitt clinches thrilling FA Cup semi-final drawVIDEO: SPIREITES’ GOLDEN GOALS - Derek Niven scores last Chesterfield goal at SaltergateSPIREITES’ GOLDEN GOALS - Geoff Salmons hits late Chesterfield equaliser in six-goal thriller at Sheffield WednesdaySPIREITES’ GOLDEN GOALS - Glynn Hurst hits late winner as Chesterfield complete the great escapeVIDEO: SPIREITES’ GOLDEN GOALS - Derek Niven’s Chesterfield screamer knocks Manchester City out of League CupVIDEO: SPIREITES’ GOLDEN GOALS - Paul Holland wins Chesterfield’s promotion battle against BlackpoolChesterfield went on to finish the season 10th and, more importantly, the goal confirmed Niven’s recovery and that he was back to his best.