Asante strike gives Spireites victory

Akwasi Asante scored the only goal of the game as the Spireites beat Maidenhead United 1-0 at the Technique Stadium. 

With this victory the Spireites remain in second position in the National League.

Saidou Khan had the Spireites’ first attempt of the game with a shot from the edge of the box on his left foot, but his strike went over the bar. 

Maidenhead came close to opening the score when Shawn McCoulsky closed down a loose ball – Scott Loach was there to block his attempt.

The Spireites had a chance when the ball fell to Joe Quigley on the edge of the box, Quigley’s side-footed effort went narrowly wide.

Quigley had another great chance to score. Miller found him inside the box with his back to goal, Quigley get a shot away, but it was block by a Maidenhead defender.

The Spireites hit the bar when Laurence Maguire met the ball with his head, following a corner.

Quigley came agonisingly close to meeting the ball with his head following a Jeff King cross, but the ball narrowly passed him by.

The Spireites went into half time with the score 0-0.

The Spireites came close again, when Kellermann threaded the ball through to Khan inside the box, however his attempt was saved by keeper Nathan Ashmore.

Quigley forced a good save from Ashmore with a strike from the edge of the area. Ashmore tipped the ball wide, diving to his right.

Ashmore was once again forced to make a good save; Alex Whittle struck the ball towards the bottom right corner, but Ashmore parried it away.

Whittle came close again after meeting the ball at the back post with a header, forcing another great save from Ashmore.

The Spireites took the lead in the 76th minute. Substitute Asante struck the ball just inside the box on the left-hand side, beating Ashmore at his near post.

The Spireites defended well in the closing stages of the game when Maidenhead were searching for an equaliser.

The game finished 1-0 to the Spireites. 

Attention will now turn to Tuesday night’s fixture against Altrincham.

Spireites: Loach, King, Grimes, Maguire, Whittle, Kellermann, Whelan (Rowley 64’), Mandeville, Khan(Weston 85’), Miller (Asante 64’), Quigley

Unused Subs: Gunning, Williams

Attendance: 5,518 (55 away)