Match preview: Wealdstone (h)

The Spireites are back in action on Saturday when they take on Wealdstone at the Technique Stadium. It will be the first time the club has opened its doors at full capacity for a competitive fixture since March 2020. With an exciting team set to play, James Rowe has urged fans to “buy their tickets”, promising attractive, attacking football. 

The manager and the squad will be looking to capitalise on the momentum they gained from last week’s opening day win at Aldershot Town, as they hunt for back-to-back wins.

Here’s all you need to know…

Date: Saturday, August 28, 2021

Kick-off: 3pm

Competition: National League

Opponents: Wealdstone FC

Season ticket cards

A reminder that season ticket holders are urged to collect their cards before Saturday’s opening home fixture of the new campaign.

Season ticket cards should be collected from the Club Superstore during in the week, which is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

The ticket office is expected to be extremely busy on Saturday, so collecting early will help reduce ques.

Tickets

Purchase your tickets online here: https://tickets.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/en-gb/categories/match

A Covid Secure Area is also available for this fixture. If you are purchasing a ticket in this area, you will be placed in a socially distanced seat, face masks will be compulsory (unless exempt) and there will be a one-way system throughout the area. If you would like to purchase a ticket(s) in this area, please book your seats in blocks 1 and 2 in the Karen Child Community (East) Stand.

Tickets will be available online and in person right up until kick-off from the Club Superstore and the ticket windows. They can also be purchased over the phone – 01246 269300.

Away tickets can be purchased here: https://tickets.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/en-GB/events/chesterfield%20v%20wealdstone/2021-8-28_15.00/technique%20stadium?area=e3f5fa25-170a-43bc-980b-9e04d199a68b&type=&sb2m=1

Hospitality details for the match, can also be found here: https://tickets.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/en-GB/events/chesterfield%20v%20wealdstone%20hospitality/2021-8-28_15.00/technique%20stadium?back=2&area=23dec3da-4656-4850-b9d4-f9ca24a53ee2&type=ga

Hospitality package includes:

  • Superb three-course meal
  • Reserved table for the day (tables may be shared)
  • Pay bar facility
  • Matchday hosts: Debra Johnson & Dave Waller
  • Waitress service
  • Reserved padded seat directly in front of the restaurant with a great view of the pitch to enjoy the game in style
  • Tea/coffee at half time

Live radio commentary

Our brand-new radio station, 1866 Sport, was launched last Saturday. Once again supporters will be able to listen to full match commentary on the game, as well as pre-match/post-match analysis. 

Don’t forget that 1866 Sport is on air 24-hours a day, seven days a week! 

You can download the app from the Apple Store here: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/1866-sport/id1580041321

If you’re an Android user, you can download the app here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.radio.ma57501030

Alternatively, you can listen online here: https://streaming.radio.co/s47db4a4f3/listen

Commentary is provided by Phil Tooley with Spireites legend Drew Talbot summarising. The commentary is sponsored by iDeal Flooring. Check out their website here: https://www.chesterfieldcarpets.com

Social media

Our official Twitter page (https://twitter.com/ChesterfieldFC) will provide regular updates on the match. It is also the place to find our exclusive goal GIFs, which received a great reaction from supporters last Saturday against Aldershot Town, when they were used for the first-time. 

Key news will also be posted on our Facebook page, which can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/ChesterfieldFC.

Our official Instagram page will keep you posted with key moments and content throughout the day on our stories: https://www.instagram.com/chesterfieldfc/?hl=en.

The post-match interview with manager James Rowe will be posted to our YouTube Channel soon after the game is finished: https://youtube.com/user/OfficialChesterfield.

Highlights of the game will also be uploaded to our YouTube Channel. 

James Rowe will once again have to pick his starting XI and substitutions for the game and with plenty of options to choose from and players battling it out for a starting place, it’s sure to be an interesting selection. 

Jack Clarke will be knocking at the gaffer’s door for a place in the starting line-up, after making an impact when coming on as a substitute on Saturday. He replaced Liam Mandeville in the second half, entering play and causing the opposition plenty of problems. 

Jamie Grimes played on the right-hand side of the defence on Saturday. The left-footed centre-back needs time to get used to playing in that position according to the manager and with Fraser Kerr back to full fitness it provides him with plenty of cover in that position to change it up if he feels it’s necessary.

Danny Rowe and Kabongo Tshimanga played as a strike-partnership for the first time on Saturday, both scoring a goal. It’s hard to see either player losing their place in the starting XI, if fit, giving fans something to look forward to heading back into the Technique Stadium, as the exciting pair will be looking to add to their tally.

Scott Loach looks set to make his home league debut after keeping a clean sheet in his first competitive fixture for the Spireites on Saturday.

Elsewhere, players such as Jak McCourt, Nathan Tyson and Alex Whittle, who were left out of the squad last Saturday, will be hoping to come back into contention.

Fact file

Name: Wealdstone FC

Nicknames: The Stones 

Founded: 1899

Stadium: Grosvenor Vale

Address: 27 Cranley Drive, Ruislip, HA4 6BZ, England

Capacity: 4,085

Manager: Stuart Maynard

On Wealdstone

Wealdstone were promoted to the National League in 2020, for the first time in their history, after the league was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which eventually saw them promoted on a points won per game basis. The club reached the FA Trophy semi-final in 2012, subsequently losing to Newport County. They reached the same stage again in 2017, losing to Brackley Town 3-0 on aggregate. Their longest serving manager was Gordon Bartlett, who managed the club for an astonishing 22 years, from 1995 all the way until August 2017. Last season Wealdstone finished in 19th position, after a great start to the campaign their form dipped which eventually led to a managerial departure and a bottom-half finish. This season Wealdstone will be aiming to secure another season in the National League and push themselves further up the table, hopefully improving on last season’s finish. 

One to watch

Dennon Lewis, who is well known for his appearance on the popular reality TV show, Love Island, has been at the club since 2019, racking up a total of 73 appearances and scoring 16 goals. The forward has lightning quick pace, with an eye for goal. He caused the Spireites plenty of problems last season in both fixtures and will be looking to kick-start his season with a goal against the Blues.

The Spireites’ last five: (W/L/W/W/W)

Won – Chesterfield 1-0 Bradford City – Friendly

Lost – Chesterfield 0-1 Port Vale – Friendly 

Won – Chesterfield 3-1 Tamworth – Friendly

Won – Chesterfield 2-1 Grimsby – Friendly

Won – Aldershot 0-2 Chesterfield – National League

The Stones’ last five: (W/D/W/W/L)

Won – Chesham United 1-4 Wealdstone – Friendly

Draw – Wealdstone 1-1 Colchester – Friendly

Won – Dorking Wanderers 1-2 Wealdstone – Friendly

Won – Wealdstone 3-1 Hungerford Town – Friendly

Lost – Wealdstone 1-2 Woking – National League

The last time the Spireites took on the Stones was back in May 2021, with the game ending in a goalless draw at the Technique Stadium. 

The Spireites missed out on the chance to strengthen their hold on the play-off position with other results going their way, as they failed to capitalise on the opportunity.

Adi Yussuf went close to scoring a wonder goal in the fixture after attempting an overhead kick in the first half, which crashed off the crossbar and just stayed out. 

Chesterfield and Wealdstone have only met twice in competitive fixtures throughout history, with the Spireites yet to record a victory against the Stones. Wealdstone have managed one win and one draw in the two fixtures between the clubs. 

The Spireites will be hoping to record their first ever win against Wealdstone on Saturday.