LiveRecap: Akwasi Asante nets late winner for Chesterfield against Eastleigh
It’s the Spireites against the Spitfires!
In another tough test, Chesterfield face high-flying Eastleigh at the Technique Stadium tonight (7.45pm KO).
The Blues lost at Stockport County on Saturday but will welcome back key player Tom Whelan into the fold after serving his three-match suspension.
Sixth-placed Eastleigh are in great form, unbeaten in eight, including five wins.
Our reporter Liam Norcliffe is at the game and will have all the build-up, team news, updates and reaction. Remember to keep refreshing the page for the latest.
Chesterfield v Eastleigh: LIVE UPDATES
Last updated: Wednesday, 03 March, 2021, 24:48
KEY POINTS
FT: Chesterfield 1 v 0 Eastleigh
Akwasi Asante nets winner on 85 minutes, assisted by Nathan Tyson.
Spireites XI (5-3-2): Smith; Carline, Kerr, Gunning, Maguire, Whittle; Weston, M.Smith (McCourt, 72), Clarke (Mandeville, 72); Whelan (Tyson, 80), Asante,
Subs: Evans, Mandeville, McCourt, Dinanga, Tyson.
Five changes for the Blues - debut for new signing Kerr, Whelan returns from suspension, first starts for Clarke and M.Smith. Tyson makes the bench.
Lots to discuss
Strength in depth and home comforts - six big talking points as Chesterfield defeat Eastleigh
Akwasi Asante struck late against Eastleigh to continue Chesterfield’s impressive home record.
Reaction from Rowe
'Best we have played' - James Rowe hails Chesterfield's late win against Eastleigh
Chesterfield’s late win against Eastleigh was the ‘best’ they have played, manager James Rowe said.
Final thoughts from fan writer Ben
There it is! It’s all over at the Technique Stadium and it’s finished 1-0 to the Spireites. A massively deserved win. It was a brilliant performance from Town almost from the first whistle and if they hadn’t have been able to find the breakthrough, it would’ve been bitterly disappointing. They kept going though, and eventually through Akwasi Asante, their goal came. A complete performance from one to eleven, and three points is precisely the reward Chesterfield’s players deserved for it. A word too for James Rowe, who took a big gamble by making five changes tonight. He’ll get the plaudits now, but if it goes wrong people begin to ask questions, so it was a big risk to take. As it proved though, it was the correct call, as the fresh legs and minds on the pitch seemingly allowed Town to play with constant energy, which subsequently allowed them to control the game. The new look back three also deserve a lot of praise, as they never appeared to falter despite having never lined up together. Overall, a good game, a good performance and an even better three points, you can’t ask for much more than that!
IT’S ALL OVER
FT: Chesterfield 1 v 0 Eastleigh
A fully deserved win for the Spireites.
Asante netting the winner, his ninth goal for Chesterfield, five minutes from the end. Seven unbeaten at home.
Reaction from Rowe coming up.
GOALLLLLLL: 1-0
Asante! Tyson gets down the left and picks out Asante, he takes a touch and then buries it past McDonnell inside the area. Big celebration from Rowe on the touchline. Deserved. Four minutes to go.
Two big chances for Asante
Asante is too strong for an Eastleigh defender, he is only a couple of yards out but his two shots are blocked.
Smith kicks long to Asante who bustles an Eastleigh defender off the ball down the left, the ball falls to Maguire who drills a low cross in from the byline but McDonnell dives on it with Tyson lurking. 84 played, 0-0.
Goal ruled out
Eastleigh have the ball in the net from a free-kick but it was handball. The flag was up anyway. Phew. 79 gone, 0-0.