Spireites win at Barnet

The Spireites bounced back from two successive defeats with a 2-0 win at Barnet thanks to goals from Tom Whelan and Adi Yussuf.

James Rowe made three changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Sutton United in midweek. Haydn Hollis, Alex Whittle and Yussuf replaced Gavin Gunning, Joel Taylor and Jak McCourt.

Immediately from Barnet’s kick-off, Jack Clarke pinched possession and drove towards the goal with the ball. He played a pass through to Yussuf, but the striker’s effort was sliced wide of the net.

Three minutes later, Chesterfield went close again. Clarke’s corner went all the way to the back post and was headed onto the bar by Barnet’s Courtney Baker-Richardson from point-blank range.

Whittle tried his luck at grabbing the first goal of the game. He latched onto a ball, got into a good position in the penalty area, but his shot was scuffed wide.

The opening goal didn’t take too much longer to arrive. Clarke, instrumental in most of the Blues’ first-half chances, slid in a lovely ball for Whelan who slotted into the bottom left corner.

Chances dried up after the goal with the game becoming a lot more even with both sides sharing the possession.

Grant Smith and his defence didn’t have too much to do in the first half; the back-line were solid and did their job when Barnet came forward on the attack.

The Spireites started the second half in similar fashion to the first, on the front foot. Akwasi Asante fired his free-kick low, which saw Aymen Azaze spill the ball. Yussuf raced in to tap the ball home from close-range for his first goal for the club.

Two was almost turned into three just before the hour-mark. After some patient build-up play, Asante made his way into the penalty area with two defenders in close proximity; his shot bobbled towards goal and struck the upright.

Rowe made two substitutions in the 63rd minute. Marcus Dinanga and Nathan Tyson replaced Asante and Yussuf after their tireless performances.

Dinanga looked to make an immediate impact, but his powerful long-range effort ended up in Azaze’s arms.

The hosts looked to grab a consolation goal; Ephron Mason-Clark came closest with an overhead kick, which flew over the bar.

Ben Richards-Everton was shown a straight red card right at the end of the game after a bad foul on Tyson on the halfway line.

Chesterfield: G Smith, Carline, Kerr, Hollis, Maguire, Whittle, Weston, Whelan (Rowley 73), Clarke, Yussuf (Tyson 63), Asante (Dinanga 63)
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Unused Substitutes: Yarney, M Smith.