Friendly win against Bradford

The Spireites won 2-1 at home to Bradford City in their third pre-season fixture following early goals from Danny Rowe and Stefan Payne.

The first action of the game saw Jack Clarke lay off to Jeff King to drive down the right-hand side and he squared the ball to Rowe (2) who bundled the ball into the net to open the scoring from close range. 

Not long after, Payne (6) beat the offside trap and neatly slotted the ball past Richard O’Donnell in the Bradford net.  

In the 18th minute, Calvin Miller beat his man down the left and managed to send over a cross which fell to a free Saidou Kahn, whose header sailed over the bar.  

Soon after, Kahn had another chance to score after doing well to hold off his opponent and tried a shot which was an easy save for O’Donnell.  

The away side nearly grabbed a goal back in the 29th minute with Oliver Crankshaw going through on goal but he only managed to hit the outside of a post. 

After beating his man again, Miller drilled the ball into the box which deflected straight towards the bottom right corner but O’Donnell managed to pull off a good save to keep the ball out. 

Abo Eisa had a free kick on the edge of the Spireites box which soared straight over the bar.   

Just before the half time whistle went, the Spireites had another chance to add to their tally with Clarke finding space and sending Payne through on goal but his shot was straight at the keeper. 

After the break, Bradford had three chances before Paudie O’Connor (48) leapt high and powered his header past Scott Loach.  

After Oscar Threlkheld found Charles Vernam in space, he fired his shot to Loach’s near post which resulted in a corner after taking a deflection and hitting the side netting.  

In the 76th minute, Lee Angol was blocked off by Gavin Gunning who won a free kick around 25 yards out. Elliot Watt took it and fired low, straight into the trialist keeper’s hands – the shot stopper grabbing the ball at the second attempt.

Only a minute after, Vernam powered his header straight onto the bar with the Spireites managing to clear after a great chance for Bradford to equalise. 

In the 88th minute, Angol was through on goal however the keeper got back to make a goal-saving tackle to keep the Spireites in front.  

After entering the final minute, Bradford had a huge chance with the keeper making an outstanding save down low to deny the away side an equaliser.

Chesterfield: Loach (Trialist, 74), King , Miller (Rowley, 70), Gunning, Maguire (Trialist, 34), Grimes, Oyeleke (Trialist, 80), Khan (McCourt, 45) , Clarke (Mandeville, 45), Rowe (Weston, 55), Payne (Tyson, 63) 

Unused Subs Weston, Mandeville, McCort, Tyson, Rowley, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist