Spireites lose against Guiseley

The Spireites lost 1-0 at home to Guiseley in their final pre-season game.

It was a strong Spireites side that started the game, with the likes of Will Evans, Jonathan Smith and Scott Boden all featuring. Keeper Kyle Letheren and striker Nathan Tyson were missing from the squad.

It was a great start from the Spireites who kept hold of the ball well in the early stages, and after a good run down the left by David Buchanan, he was provided with space and time to put a great ball into the box, which was met by young striker Luke Rawson, who couldn’t direct his header on target.

Evans also went close to scoring the opening goal, after meeting a corner with a great header from the penalty spot, which crept just wide of the post.

Guiseley went through on goal after Evans was shrugged off the ball, allowing ex-Spireite Jonathan Wafula a free shot on goal. The striker lost his balance and couldn’t get much power on his shot, allowing Hollis to get back and block the effort.

Liam Mandeville went close in the 21st minute to scoring a wonder goal, after a great cross from the right by Boden led to a spectacular overhead-kick effort in the penalty area which flew just over the bar.

The Spireites were causing Guiseley lots of problems from corners early on in the game and Evans managed to meet the ball again from a Buchanan corner, but his effort sailed over the bar from what was a difficult angle to convert.

After early Spireites pressure, it was Guiseley who scored in the 32nd minute after Evans misplaced a pass, which allowed Kaine Felix to go through on goal. He chipped the oncoming Dylan Wharton only to hit the post, but his effort was followed up by Wafula who put the ball into the open net.

Guiseley went close to doubling their lead soon after when a trialist tried an overhead kick from inside the area, which went just wide of the left-hand post.

The half time whistle then went and the Spireites went into the break with work to do. Chesterfield made two changes at half time, with Curtis Weston and Tom Denton coming on in place of Mandeville and Rawson.

The second half got off to a quick start when Guiseley claimed they had scored a second goal, Wharton spilled the ball, which was cleared off the line by Hollis. The ball was only cleared as far as Wafula, whose shot was again cleared off the line by Buchanan and after some pinball inside the area it was eventually cleared for a goal kick.

Both teams struggled to keep on top throughout the early stages of the second half. Guiseley had a number of opportunities in quick concession after a corner was delivered and not dealt with by the Spireites and it required a Weston goal-line clearance to keep the ball out of the back of the net.

Denton couldn’t direct his header on target in the 63rd minute, after he got on the end of a Buchanan cross. Maguire then entered the field, with Hollis leaving the field.

In the 75th minute, Wafula received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and with plenty of time and space he could only send his effort high over the bar.

Maguire made a great impact on the game, going close after a great run through the midfield only to have his shot saved by the Guiseley goalkeeper.

Guiseley went close again in the 80th minute after some great play in midfield led to a counter attack, where the ball was fizzed into the area from the right-hand side, only to be sliced on to the bar by Evans.

The referee then blew his whistle. The Spireites now prepare for the big kick-off next Saturday at Wealdstone.

Spireites: Wharton, Cropper, Yarney, Evans, Hollis, Buchanan, Butterfield, Smith, Mandeville, Boden, Rawson

Subs: Hutchinson, Maguire, Denton, Brook, Weston, Rowley, Sharman, McKay