Defeat at Bristol Rovers

The Spireites lost 2-0 at Bristol Rovers in their final pre-season fixture..

Despite lots of possession and some fantastic saves from goalkeeper Harry Tyer, they just fell short.

The game got off to a slow start, with the Spireites dominating possession but lacking that cutting edge in the final third.

The first chance of the game fell to Rovers, as a misplaced pass allowed John Marquis to try and dink goalkeeper Tyrer, who leaped into the air and just managed to fingertip the ball over the crossbar.

Rovers had another big chance in the 17th minute when Luke Thomas received the ball on the penalty spot and only another fantastic save by Tyrer down to his left kept the ball out.

The game fell flat during the middle period of the first half, with no real chances created.

In the 40th minute Darren Oldaker tried his luck from range and the ball only just cleared the bar.

Marquis hit the bar moments before half time after a mix-up at the back between Tyrone Williams and Tyrer but the woodwork sent the teams into half time on level terms.

The second half got off to a quick start when Will Grigg pounced on a mistake from the goalkeeper and his goal-bound shot was blocked by Grant Ward. There were huge shouts for handball but the referee waved the appeals away.

The Pirates took the lead in the 51st minute when Marquis was slipped in on goal one-on-one and he calmly slotted the ball past Tyrer into the bottom corner.

Tyrer was called into action again in the 61st minute when Marquis beat the offside trap, but once again the keeper stood tall to make another fantastic one-on-one save.

Rovers doubled their lead ten minutes later, when Marquis slotted home his second of the afternoon after Antony Evans rounded Tyrer inside the area and left the striker to fire into the empty net.

Despite their best efforts, the Blues just couldn’t find the net and attention now turns to next week’s opening National League fixture against Dorking Wanderers at the SMH Group Stadium.