Win against Tamworth

The Spireites comfortably won their penultimate pre-season fixture, 3-1, against Tamworth, with Danny Rowe (2) and Liam Mandeville getting on the scoresheet.

The Blues got off to a fast start, winning a corner within 30 seconds and the delivery found Gavin Gunning who leaped above everyone at the back post and his headed effort was only kept out by a great save from Tamworth goalkeeper Jas Singh.

Seconds later, Rowe played Calvin Miller through on goal, but his shot was well blocked by Tamworth defender Chris Cox.

The Spireites then took the lead in the tenth minute after George Carline found space on the right-hand side after some great link-up play from Jack Clarke and Stefan Payne, slotting the ball low and hard across the face of goal, finding Rowe free inside the area, who comfortably tapped home.

It wasn’t until the 21st minute when Tamworth created their first opportunity, as Aaron Forde crossed a great ball into the area which found the head of Dan Creaney, but his effort didn’t trouble Spireites goalkeeper Scott Loach who saved comfortably.

Tamworth’s trialist then found space on the edge of the area in the 32nd minute, when his thunderous shot forced Loach into a good save.

Just before the half time whistle, the Spireites had two opportunities to double their lead, after Clarke slotted Miller one-on-one with the keeper, only to shoot wide of the target. Seconds later Payne found Saidou Khan in the area whose effort smashed against the post from five yards out.

The Spireites made two changes at the break, with Mandeville and a trialist entering play, replacing Carline and Loach.

Tamworth got a goal back in the first minute of the second half, after a cross was delivered into the area finding the head of Creaney, who leaped above everyone and found the back of the net with his effort.

Curtis Weston replaced Emmanual Oyeleke on the hour-mark and just two minutes later the Spireites regained the lead after a great counter-attack, with Clarke driving forwards and slipping Rowe through on goal, who made no mistake and found the back of the net with his right-footed effort.

The Spireites weren’t finished yet and extended their lead in the 79th minute after Rowe sent over the perfect cross onto the head of Mandeville in the area whose effort found the top corner.

In the final moments, the Blues nearly added to their tally after a floating ball from Clarke found Miller inside the area and his effort produced a fantastic save from Singh to keep the ball out. 

The final whistle then went, leaving Chesterfield with just one pre-season game left to play before their campaign gets underway at Aldershot in two weeks’ time. 

Starting XI – Loach (Trialist), Carline (Mandeville), Kerr(Rowley), Gunning, Trialist, Miller, Oyeleke (Weston), Khan(Trialist), Clarke, Payne (McCourt), Rowe (Tyson).