VICTORY IN PRE-SEASON OPENER

Chesterfield secured 3-2 win over Belper Town at the Raygar Stadium in their opening pre-season fixture.

John Pemberton named a strong starting XI with new signings Kyle Letheren, Jordan Cropper and Milan Butterfield featuring for the first time.

The home side created the first chance of the game. Brodie Litchfield latched onto the end of Josh Woodcock’s cross but the forward couldn’t direct his header on target.

It didn’t take long for the Spireites to take the lead though. In the 13th minute, Butterfield received a quick throw from David Buchanan on the edge of the box and fired it into the back of the net.

The lower league opposition immediately hunted for an equaliser and almost found it five minutes later. Steve McDonnell created some space on the edge of the area but saw his effort fly wide of the post.

However, on the half hour mark Chesterfield doubled their lead. Smith tried his luck from range and saw his effort fly past Leigh Overton.

At half time, Pemberton made five substitutions with the likes of Scott Boden, Jack McKay, Jamie Sharman and Liam Mandeville all coming on.

The first chance of the second period resulted in a Spireites goal. Smith received the ball from Sharman before unleashing a bullet of a half-volley past Overton.

After the third goal, another influx of substitutes came on replacing the likes of Buchanan, Letheren and Laurence Maguire.

One of the players introduced, Dylan Wharton, made good back-to-back saves to deny Belper on the hour-mark.

The hosts continued to pile on the pressure and reduced the deficit with just ten minutes to go. A trialist for the Nailers slotted home from close-range following a goalmouth scramble.

Chesterfield defended resiliently for the last knockings of the game, with Wharton making some important saves to seal a win in the first pre-season friendly.

The Spireites will travel to Causeway Lane next Tuesday to face Northern Premier League side Matlock Town (7.30pm).

Spireites: Letheren, Cropper, Yarney, Evans, Maguire, Buchanan, Butterfield, Rowley, Smith, Rawson, Denton