Goals from Harrison Beeden and Kian Tansley (pictured below) ensured the U21s kept up their winning run with a 2-1 victory over AFC Mansfield on Thursday evening, in a game played at Rainworth MW FC.
Manager Neil Cluxton made four changes from the previous week, with Rmaraye Hamilton, Beeden, Tom Wood and Kallan Murphy replacing Jacob Barrass, George Wilkinson, Brandon Bradbury and Ross McParland.
AFC Mansfield were quick out of the traps and had the majority of the play in the first-half. On 12 minutes a Louis Czerwak corner found the head of Beeden, who unfortunately found the keeper’s hands.
Shortly afterwards, AFC Mansfield took the lead when a smart turn by their no.10 gave him space in the box and he shot low and hard past Dylan Wharton. On 36 minutes, the impressive Adam Blakeley put in a teasing cross, but this was gathered by the Bulls keeper.
Chesterfield equalised in the 53rd minute, when Beeden stabbed home the ball at the far post, from a Tansley free kick. Three minutes later, the industrious Irishman Murphy shot just over the bar.
The U21s now began to dominate play and a Wood strike forced the opposition keeper to push the ball away on the hour-mark. The goal of the game came ten minutes later when a Tansley free kick found the top corner of the net, via the keeper’s fingertips and a post. The goal was the midfielder’s 23rd of the season and the seventh game in a row he had scored.
AFC Mansfield put on the pressure in the last five minutes, but impressive defending by Callum Brook, Beeden and Leigh Whelan, plus a good stop with his feet by Wharton kept them at bay for Chesterfield to hold onto the three points.
The U21s’ next fixture and their last game in the Spring Cup is away at Borrowash Victoria AFC this evening.
Chesterfield: Wharton, Blakeley, Hamilton (White 61), Brook ©, Beeden, Whelan, Tansley, Charlesworth (Rossiter 82), Czerwak (Waite 76), Wood (Allerton 61), Murphy (Duhameau 82).
CFC Goals: Beeden 53, Tansley 70.
Booked: Murphy 34, Wood 58, Whelan 66.
Other results:
Borrowash Victoria AFC 4-0 AFC Eastwood CFC
Stapleford Town 1-1 Swallownest
