Spireites victorious over Salford

The Spireites sealed their first points of the season thanks to an early strike from Lee Bonis who touched home from close range after Salford keeper Norris couldn’t keep hold of a Josh Koroma effort. Bonis had several more opportunities to add to the lead in the second half but just couldn’t quite convert.

As the game wore on, the Ammies piled on the pressure but were thwarted by a superb rearguard performance. Liam Mandeville ran tirelessly, George McEachran was full of creation and Koroma stepped up a gear. An all-round promising performance both offensively and defensively that ensured that the Spireites won at the  Stadium for the fourth consecutive encounter.

Both teams started the game without a win in competitive fixtures; the two managers were determined to end that run. Pail Cook chose to make just one change from the side that lost last week in the League to Fleetwood Town. In came Liam Mandeville as Ruel Sotiriou made way.

Mandeville started the game for the Spireites but the ball was soon into touch for a Salford throw.T he Spireites immediately pushed forward and took the lead in their second move of note. Mandeville fed Koroma on the left and his astute ball towards goal tested home keeper Will Norris who couldn’t keep hold; his fumble enabled Bonis to touch home the loose ball from close range for an early lead.

A couple of minutes later Koroma again showed his pace as he burst forward into the area but blasted over the crossbar.

Ben Woodburn made a strong run before feeding Ollie Turton, his first-time effort was blocked by Ryan Boot who conceded the game’s first corner kick.

Moments later Bonis almost made it two. Salford keeper Norris was out of his goal, Bonis picked up a loose ball 25 yards out; sadly his effort flew inches wide of the left upright.

George McEachran had been involved in several promising Chesterfield moves; from one he decided to go-it-alone and shot strongly but his effort was narrowly wide of Norris’ left upright.

Salford claimed a penalty on the half-hour mark when McEachran challenged Kelly Nmai in the area; Referee Scott Oldham was rightly unimpressed. Their pressure continued without causing a real threat

Salford went close after 37 minutes when Macaulay Langstaff was through on goal only to be denied by a well-timed block from Jack Simpson. Moments later Ade Oluwo got his head to a free-kick from the left, his downward header was claimed well by Boot.

In the last minute of the half, Mandeville picked up the game’s first yellow card for a late challenge on Jorge Grant

Bonis went close following the break after getting his head to a gem of a cross from Koroma, sadly the alert Norris pulled off a superb save.

The Spireites broke again and Luke Garbutt was booked for a clumsy challenge on Dilan Markanday. Moments later they won a free-kick in a central position, 25 yards out. Bonis’ powerful shot was agonisingly just inches high.

Koroma went close as he hit an angled drive from the left but it flew narrowly wide of the right post.

Liam Mandeville took a free-kick from 30 yards that found the head of Kyle McFadzean who was narrowly wide of the right post.

Salford were continuing to dominate possession but the Spireites defended well and broke when possible. McFadzean took a knock and while he was injured Salford won a corner. Before it could be taken five minutes added time was awarded.

In the next move Salford launched another ball into the area and a defensive header from Ryan Stirk hit his own upright before being cleared.

Salford won a late free-kick after a scuffle that saw Lamptey and Brendan Wiredu booked

The Spireites saw the game out with 97 minutes having elapsed when the final whistle blew. Cue celebrations for the season’s first win in front of the large away following that had supported well throughout