Chesterfield began their pre-season campaign with a 2-0 win over Clay Cross Town, with Gunner Elliott and George McEachran getting early goals in both halves.
The Spireites were given an early spot-kick when Elliott was taken down inside the box within 60 seconds. The young striker stepped up and found the right corner to make it 1-0.
Dilan Markanday came close with a long-range effort 15 minutes in. Cutting in from the right, his left footed effort skimmed the roof of the net and away from the top left corner.
The hosts’ best chance of the first half came ten minutes before the break as they raced through one-on-one with Ryan Boot, but the Chesterfield shot-stopper raced out well and made a crucial save to maintain the lead.
Paul Cook made ten changes for the second half, with only Trialist remaining on the pitch after the break.
It took just three minutes for the lead to double after the restart. New signing McEachran looked to cross from the left, but spotted the keeper out of position and curled the ball into the near post beyond his reach to make it 2-0.
Second-year scholar Oskar Woznickza was given an opportunity to mix with his senior peers on the hour mark, replacing Trialist who had played the full game until that point.
Lee Bonis looked certain to get on the scoresheet on the 72nd minute when he smashed an effort towards goal from close range, but the Clay Cross keeper made an impressive save to turn it behind.
McEachran almost caught the keeper out again with 15 to play, hitting a volley from just inside his own half narrowly wide of an empty net after the shot-stopper had rushed out to make a clearance.
First half XI: Boot, Eccleston, Owolabi-Belewu, Trialist, Whitney, Trialist, Butterfield, Markanday (C), Trialist, Trialist, Elliott
Second half XI: Hemming, Trialist, Dunkley, Simpson, Gordon, Naylor, McEachran, Mandeville, Trialist (Wozniczka 60’), Cook, Bonis
