The Spireites got their League Two campaign off to a winning start with a 1-0 home victory against Barrow thanks to Dilan Markanday’s first-half header.
Paul Cook’s first team selection of the season included some new faces with shot-stopper Zach Hemming, signed from Middlesbrough, and Ryan Stirk, who joined the Spireites from Walsall, both in from the off.
It was a tentative start from both sides at the SMH, with neither goalkeeper tested in the opening exchanges.
Will Grigg had the first sight of goal midway through the half when found unmarked in the area, but his header lacked venom and was dealt with comfortably.
Shortly after, Markanday saw his curling left-footed effort whistle over the bar.
In the 45th minute, the Spireites’ patience finally paid off when Markanday headed home from the centre of the box to give Town a 1-0 lead.
Dylan Duffy’s floated cross was met by the winger, whose header, courtesy of a slight deflection, found the bottom corner.
The second half started slowly, as the home side seemed happy to maintain possession.
With 25 minutes to play, the game had an injection of energy as Stirk did well to beat his marker before falling to the floor, the referee waved away penalty appeals as the visitors broke forward.
Innes Cameron raced through one-on-one but was thwarted by debutant Hemming, who stood firm to deny the Barrow forward.
Armando Dobra had a chance to double the lead when played through by Duffy; however, his final touch was too heavy, which invited the keeper to claim the ball and the man.
Barrow replied with a half-chance through Tom Barkhuizen, whose effort was blocked emphatically by Che Dunkley.
As the game headed towards stoppage time, appeals for a Town penalty were again waved away when Liam Mandeville was left in a heap in the Barrow area.
Despite a late Barrow onslaught, the Spireites defended resolutely to secure all three opening-day points.
Chesterfield: Hemming, Daley-Campbell, Dunkley (C), McFazdean, Gordon, Naylor (Dibley-Dias 86), Stirk, Markanday (Mandeville 80), Duffy (Madden 80), Dobra(Lewis 80), Grigg (Bonis 63)
Unused substitutes: Boot, Sheckleford
Attendance: 8,223 (413 Away)
