Recap: Chesterfield beat Halifax to progress to National League play-off semi-finals

Chesterfield take on FC Halifax Town at The Shay tonight in the National League play-off elimination round (7.45pm KO).

The Shaymen finished fourth so they have home advantage this evening.

The Spireites secured seventh spot on the last day of the season.

Halifax, who have the best home record in the division, have taken four points off Town this campaign and go into this one as hot favourites.

The winner will play Solihull Moors away this Sunday in the semi-finals.

Our reporter Liam Norcliffe is at the game and will bring you everything you need to know.

Halifax v Chesterfield: LIVE UPDATES

Key Events

FT: Halifax 1 v 2 Chesterfield (7.45pm KO)
Spireites will play Solihull Moors away on Sunday in semi-finals
Rowe header on 20 minutes put Blues in front; King blasts in for 0-2 on 66 minutes
Sub Stenson pulls one back two minutes later on 66 for 1-2
Spireites XI: Loach; King, Williams, Maguire, Grimes, Miller; Kellermann, Whelan, Khan; Mandeville, Rowe. Subs: Whittle, McCourt, Rowley, Denton, Tyson.
In: Maguire, Miller, Whelan. Out: Whittle, Weston, Denton.

Tue, 24 May, 2022, 10:37 BST

Liam’s predicted line-up

(4-2-3-1) Loach; King, Williams, Grimes, Whittle; Weston, Kellermann; Mandeville, Rowe, Khan; Asante.

Subs: Maguire, Miller, McCourt, Denton, Tyson.

Tue, 24 May, 2022, 10:34 BSTUpdated 10:35 BST

Tonight’s officials

Referee: Scott Tallis (He was in charge for the 1-0 win at Grimsby and 2-2 draw at Stockport County this season).

Assistant referee: Daniel Jarvis

Assistant referee: Scott Morland

Fourth official: Thomas Parsons

Tue, 24 May, 2022, 10:32 BST

‘It’s evenly-balanced'

Asked if he considered Halifax as favourites ahead of the game, Shaymen boss Pete Wild said: “I’d say its even because Chesterfield, across the season, have shown what a quality side they are.

“We’ve punched massively above our weight and been able to stay there all season. I’d say it’s an evenly-balanced tie that could go either way and it’ll be the team that implements their plan the best, that makes the least mistakes and takes their chances when they’re afforded to them that will win the match.”

On having home advantage for the game, Wild said: “You’d like to think a home game is an advantage. It comes with its own pressures, that everybody expects you to win at home. We’ve done so well there this year, we recruited to be better at The Shay and that’s come off. So now we need to make sure we get the performance that the season’s merited.”

He added: “I think we’ve got the characters, you’ve seen that across the season when we’ve been away to some of these big clubs and how well we’ve done. Not in every big game have we done well, but we’ve stood up to the big crowds, we’ve stood up to the pressures that come with that.“I think I’ve got a mixture of young lads who’ve aged and matured across the season, I’ve got a middle group of lads who are now leading the younger lads by example, and I’ve got my experienced boys who’ve been there and done it who know what it takes and whether they’re on the pitch or not, will lead the group by example.”