New faces and trialists help Chesterfield to a draw against Sheffield United
Chesterfield fielded their new signings and took another look at a clutch of trialists in a commendable draw with Sheffield United.
The Spireites were well worthy of the 0-0 scoreline against Championship opposition in a worthwhile workout at a sun-kissed SMH Group Stadium.
Manager Paul Cook fielded one team for the first hour and a vastly changed one for the last half-hour, while season-long loan signing Josh Koroma made came off at half time for one of the four trialists on duty.
Other summer arrivals Jack Simpson, Alfie Pond, Ruel Sotiriou, George McEachran and Junior Eccleston also got game time.
As expected, the visitors saw most of the ball in the first half but diligent defence kept them at arm’s length until Harrison Burrows demanded a fine reflex save from Ryan Boot.
There was some nice play out of defence across the piece from Simpson in a back line which also included Sotiriou and Pond.
Despite being pressed back for long periods, the Spireites produced the best move of the half just before the break.
Koroma’s diagonal picked out Eccleston and his header across was met by a waspish shot against the crossbar from Dilan Markanday..
As promised, both sides made a raft of changes around the hour mark and it was one of the newcomers, Tyrese Campbell, who went close to breaking the deadlock, screwing a shot just wide of the far post.
It took an excellent defensive header from Sotiriou to prevent a United goal right in front of the busy away stand in a crowd approaching 6,000.
Even though the many changes meant the game became disjointed, Louise Marsh missed a sitter for United and Tom Naylor saw a low drive deflected wide at the other end before the final whistle blew on a fair result.
The pre-season build-up continues away to Halifax Town on Tuesday.
Chesterfield starting XI: Boot; Eccleston, Pond, Simpson; Gordon, Naylor (capt); McEachran; Markanday, Trialist, Koroma; Bonus
Chesterfield last 30 minutes: Boot; Trialist, Dunkley, Whitney; Mandeville; Trialist Butterfield; Woznickzka, Trialist, Sotiriou; Elliott
Sheffield United starting XI: Cooper, Seriki, Tanganga, Burrows, Donovan, Arblaster, Rothwell, Hamer, Baptiste, Cannon, Bamford
Referee: Jamie O’Connor
Attendance: 5,882