REPORT: SPIREITES VICTORIOUS OVER HALLAM

A strong Chesterfield side managed to overturn a half time deficit and emerge victorious in their second pre season fixture away to Hallam FC on Monday night.

The Spireites lined up in a 3-5-2 and started well, playing short passing football and managing to find space out on the wings for Yarney and Buchanan to deliver balls into the area.

The first real chance of the game, however, fell to Hallam as Anthony Gerrard had the ball nicked off his toes and he conceded a foul just outside the area. The free kick that followed was curled just over by James Reed.

The Spireites then had a chance of their own on the 11th minute after Yarney managed to find Spyrou down the right, the trialist drilled the ball low across the six yard area and found Boden, who’s shot forced a good save from Sneath in the Hallam goal.

Despite having the better of the play the Spireites fell behind in the twelfth minute after a poor challenge from Yarney brought down Will Wraith in the area. Sam Smith stepped up and sent Jalal the wrong way to put the home side ahead

Despite the goal Chesterfield managed to maintain their dominance and continued to work the ball out wide, with a long ball down the line finding Spyrou, he in turn managed to find Weston, who beat his man and delivered a sumptuous ball on to the head of Jonathan Smith who’s effort rattled the crossbar.

Chesterfield made several changes at half time, injecting some youth into the side. They started brightly, playing attacking football and the subs nearly made an instant impact, with a Mandeville cross narrowly evading shaw at the far post

Shaw was again involved when McKay managed to nick the ball away from Callum Fielding in the Hallam goal and laid it back to Town’s number 17, he only managed to put the ball over the bar.

Chesterfield then came close twice in quick succession, after good buildup lead to Mandeville being found in space on the edge of the area, his shot deflected wide and from the resulting corner Haydn Hollis headed onto the bar.

With 15 minutes left town were handed a lifeline when a corner found Joe Rowley outside the area. The England C international danced his way through two players and was brought down, resulting in a penalty to Chesterfield. Mandeville stepped up and coolly slotted home, scoring his second in two pre season games.

Chesterfield took the lead six minutes later, with Mandeville this time grabbing an assist after his cross was volleyed home by Jack McKay.

The Spireites could’ve extended their lead further with both Shaw and Smith missing good opportunities in the closing stages.

Hallam FC: Sneath (Fielding 46), Lannaman (Brelsford 85), Staniland, Booth (Spencer 79), Lawrence, Colliver (Donohue 63), Wraith (Carrig 71), Reed (Wilson 71), Smith, Treasure (Ferreira 66), Mutamba.

Chesterfield: Jalal (Trialist 45), Gerrard (Sharman 45), Maguire (Holmes 76), Evans (Hollis 45), Yarney (Mandeville 45), Buchanan (Sheridan 45), Weir (Rowley 45), Smith, Weston (Wakefield 63), Spyrou (McKay 45), Boden (Shaw 45).