Chesterfield’s youth team began their 2021/22 campaign with a creditable 2-2 draw against Handsworth’s senior team, just 41 days after their last game of the previous season.
The Spireites came from behind twice with a goal in each half by Tom Wood and Francis Finneran.
The young Blues got off to a slow start and Dylan Wharton was called into action twice in the first 15 minutes, firstly to save a Handsworth strike on five mins and then making an excellent stop with his foot from a low shot.
After 22 minutes, Handsworth took the lead via a far post header from Ethan Hobson.
Just before half time, left-back Wood popped up for Chesterfield to restore parity with a back post header.
The Blues began to get into the game in the second half and the lively Louis Czerwak had an excellent run with the ball on 67 minutes and almost scored four minutes later but his header was saved by the Handsworth keeper.
With 79 minutes on the clock, Handsworth regained the lead with a Tom Roebuck shot, which hit the roof of the net.
However, a minute later, Finneran was able to capitalise on a defensive error, steering the ball home for a well deserved equaliser.
Chesterfield: Wharton, Blakeley, Wood, Whelan, Brook, Wilkinson, Moss, Tansley, McParland, Feurtado, Czerwak.
Subs: Okochi, Derrett, Grierson, Thomas, Bennett, Hughes, Allerton (all used in the 2nd half).
CFC Goals: Wood 41, Finneran 80
H FC Goals: Hobson 22, Roebuck 79
Attendance: 184
