The Spireites produced a perfect end to their home pre-season with a 4-0 win over Championship side and Derbyshire neighbours Derby County.
There were only three changes from the side that started against Sheffield United as Ollie Banks, Ryan Colclough and Michael Jacobs came in for Ryheem Sheckleford, Ash Palmer and Paddy Madden.
The visitors almost made the perfect start when Ebou Adams’ cross was spilled by Ryan Boot; Kayden Jackson latched onto the rebound, but Chey Dunkley made a last-stitch block to keep the scores level.
After the opening exchanges, Chesterfield started to find some rhythm. Colclough flashed a shot from a tight angle wide of the goal.
Armando Dobra then fired an effort just over Josh Vickers’ goal a minute later – after his initial attempt was blocked.
Chances were few and far between until the last ten minutes of the first half. Colclough first looked to catch Vickers out at the near post, but the Derby goalkeeper tipped the ball around the post.
Jackson then cut inside to fire his own shot towards goal that Boot smartly collected.
With three minutes until half time, the Spireites took the lead. Banks broke through to latch onto Tom Naylor’s searching ball before sending a chip over Vickers and into the back of the net.
Just before half time, Naylor was once again on hand to assist as his arrowing cross was headed home from six-yards by Will Grigg to double the lead.
The first chances of the second half fell to Derby on the hour-mark. Callum Elder’s free-kick was parried out by Boot to Curtis Nelson, who also saw his effort thwarted by the Chesterfield shot-stopper.
Both sides used the second half to make changes to their side. Chesterfield brought on a Trialist, Branden Horton, Tim Akinola, James Berry and Kane Drummond.
Berry made and impact with just over ten minutes to go; his curling free-kick from 25-yards deceived substitute goalkeeper Rohan Luthra and flew into the back of the net.
Three minutes later, Drummond’s strong run allowed him to cross for Berry, who slotted home for his second of the game.
Another Trialist, Joe Quigley, Ali Mohuiddin, Bailey Hobson and Connor Cook also came on to play their part in the final minutes.
The Spireites now have a nine-day break before their last pre-season friendly against Scunthorpe United on Friday, August 2.
Chesterfield: Boot, Mandeville, Naylor ©️, Dunkley, Gordon (Horton 68), Banks, Oldaker (Akinola 71), Jacobs (Trialist 68), Dobra, Colclough (Berry 59), Grigg (Drummond 68).
