Spireites Edged by Millers

The Spireites hosted Rotherham United for the first friendly and first home friendly since the pre season schedule.

Wins vs Hallam and Matlock along side an emphatic 4-4 draw away to stavely brought the Spireites into a tough test vs the millers.

The millers who have just said bye to key defender and midfielder Semi Ajayi will look to put that behind them and look for a win against the Spireites.

Rotherham started lineup was as followed ;
Lewis price, Billy Jones, Joe Mattock, Shaun Macdonald, Richard Wood, Ben Wiles, Freddie Ladapo, Dan Barlaser, Carlton Morris, Michael Ihiekwe and Michael Smith.

With the Spireites fielding an equally as strong side;
Shawn Jalal, David Buchanan, Will Evans, Lawrence Maguire, Joe Rowley, Curtis Weston, Liam Mandeville, Anthony Gerrard, Scott Boden, Jonathan Smith and Haydn Hollis.

The Spireites started very well with Mandeville and Boden linking very well only for the final through balk to be just too fast for Boden to connect with.

On 5 minutes the Spireites almost took the lead, Mandeville again being the artist with a dangerous cross of which Rowley attacked with a diving header but just missed the top of his head.

The game started end to end, Rotherham them going forward via Billy Jones who whipped in a dangerous cross to which Hollis answered with a powerful header away.

Rotherham had the best opportunity of the game when Shaun Macdonald carved open the midfield which lead to Freddie Ladapo destined to be through on goal but David Buchanan expertly tackled and the Spireites cleared.

On 13 Rotherham nearly took the lead Freddie Ladapo turning in the penalty area and getting a shot off from close range but Jalal was down quickly to divert the danger elsewhere.

Rotherham eventually took the lead after 26 minutes, of what seemed a tame cross from Billy Jones caused Anthony Gerrard to slice the ball into his own net.

The Spireites were level 3 minutes later. Some brilliant pressure by Will Evans forced Richard Wood into an error where Evans then crossed to Buchanan who sliced his shot into the path of Joe Rowley who from close range was denied but Will Evans smashed the ball in from close range into the top left corner.

3 minutes later the penalty curse hit the Spireites again, Will Evans bringing down Michael Smith in the penalty area.

Smith smashed his penalty into the bottom left corner leaving Jalal no chance.

The Spireites were making most of the wide formation and it’s something that will excite fans during the up and coming season.

Lots of pace was on show down the left with Smith and Buchanan constantly running up and down and delivering dangerous crosses into the box.

The half ended Chesterfield 1 Rotherham United 2.

With goals from Michael Smith and a Gerrard own goal putting the millers 2-1 in front.

Will Evans smashed the Spireites level on the half an hour mark.

The Spireite fans will be very happy, a very even display with the only downside being the midfield being exposed quite often.

Liam Mandeville ran the show in the first half with bursts of pace, tricky footwork and crafty passes he will be a real favourite for fans this season.

The Spireites made three changes at half time:

Luke Coddington replaced ShwanJalal.
Josef Yarney Replaced Jonathan Smith
Robbie Weir replaced Curtis Weston

One sub for Rotherham Laurence Bilboe comes on for Lewis Price.

Ben wiles started a dangerous opportunity for the Millers one minute into the second half linking well with Shaun Macdonald to whip in a furious ball which just evaded everyone in the Spireite penalty area.

Freddie Ladapo again being the danger man that the Spireites struggled to contain, this time pouncing on Yarney’s error only for his low driven ball to escape any final touch.

David Buchanan this time turned provider to Liam Mandeville who met the cross with his head but his effort when backwards and the Millers cleared.

The Spireites were knocking on the door, moments later Anthony Gerrard looking to make up for the earlier disaster volleyed his shot way over from the edge of the area.

On the hour mark Joe Rowley made way for new summer signing Jack McKay.

Rotherham made a triple  substitution, Clark Roberson, Jamie Proctor, Matt Crooks all coming on for Joe mattock, Ben wiles and Michael Smith.

Freddie Ladapo nearly extended the lead for the Millers racing in on goal but his shot was smashed over the bar.

The Spireites then came close to levelling, Jack McKay being played in on goal by Robbie weir before his shot trickled off the post and the Millers cleared.

Will Evans then turned saviour,  a ball in from Carlton Morris was destined to be headed home by Jamie Proctor but Evans got his head in the way and cleared the danger.

Warner then made another double substitution Olosunde and Vassell coming on for Macdonald and Morris.

5 Spireite changes were then made, Shaw,Sharman,Sheridan, Wedgbury, Wakefield all coming on for; Maguire, Gerrard, Boden, Buchanan, Mandeville all coming off.

Lee Shaw nearly made an immediate impact laying the balk off to Jay Sheridan who just couldn’t get his shot off in time before Robertson got back to defend well.

It carried on to be end to end stuff, this time Rotherham attacking through Jamie Proctor he pulled the trigger from 30 yards out but Coddington was down to save well.

Coddington again denied Proctor, Wedgebury making the error to which Proctor curled his effort low and hard but Coddington parried away.

The game finished Chesterfield 1 Rotherham United 2.

Goals from; ( Gerrard og, Evans and Smith)

A good display for the Spireites but the extra class showed from the Millers, if the Spireites perform like that week in week our promotion looks highly likely!

Sheffield United await next as we edge one step closer to the start of the new season.