Recap: Chesterfield concede three goals in first-half in defeat to Hartlepool United
This is about as tough as it gets for Town as they try and put an end to third-placed Pools’ 15-match unbeaten run.
Chesterfield go into this one on the back of a good win at rivals Bromley in midweek, while the hosts have not played for two weeks.
Liam Norcliffe is at the game and will have all the build-up, team news, updates and reaction.
Hartlepool United v Chesterfield: LIVE UPDATES
Key Events
- FT: Hartlepool United 3 v 1 Chesterfield
- Rhys Oates put Pools ahead on five minutes
- Josef Yarney own goal makes it 2-0
- Luke Armstrong adds third before half-time
- Fraser Kerr gets one back against his old club in second-half - his first for Spireites
- Three changes for Chesterfield as Josef Yarney, Curtis Weston and Nathan Tyson replace Gavin Gunning, Martin Smith and Kairo Mitchell
- (3-4-1-2): G. Smith; Yarney, Kerr, Maguire (c); Carline, Weston, Oyeleke, Taylor; Clarke; Rowe, Tyson .Subs: Rowley, Mandeville, M.Smith, Whelan, Mitchell.
Here we go!
About as tough as it gets for Town today with Pools in superb form, they are unbeaten in 15 games and have won 11 of their last 12 at home.
But the Blues are unbeaten in six themselves so they can take confidence from that run.
Chesterfield are all in red, while the hosts are in blue.
The sprinklers have soaked the pitch, the sun is out, fingers crossed for a point or more.
Almost time
Just a few minutes away from kick-off here at Victoria Park.
Results have been fairly kind to Chesterfield today with just Wrexham winning. Eastleigh and Halifax lost, while Notts County could only manage a draw.
They will remain seventh in the table whatever the score but a point or more would be very welcome.
Stayed tuned for live updates and reaction.
Team news thoughts
So no Gavin Gunning in the squad today which no doubt is down to his hamstring troubles. He did hobble off with 20 minutes to go against Bromley in midweek. He will be a big miss but there is no point risking him and then losing him for the rest of the season.
There is a boost in midfield as Weston returns after being rested on Tuesday night, Martin Smith drops to the bench.
Meanwhile, Nathan Tyson is given a rare start and Mitchell drops to the bench.
A very attacking bench with no goalkeeper or defender among the subs.
30 minutes to Kick-off!
Three changes for Chesterfield as Josef Yarney, Curtis Weston and Nathan Tyson replace Gavin Gunning, Martin Smith and Kairo Mitchell.
(3-4-1-2): G. Smith; Yarney, Kerr, Maguire (c); Carline, Weston, Oyeleke, Taylor; Clarke; Rowe, Tyson. Subs: Rowley, Mandeville, M.Smith, Whelan, Mitchell.
An hour to KO
Welcome to a sun-soaked but slightly breezy Victoria Park.Jak McCourt and Adi Yussuf are just being put through their paces down in front of us so we can assume they are not involved today but have been brought along for some extra fitness work.We should have the official team news very shortly.
Liam’s pre-match thoughts
Happy Bank Holiday everyone!
And what a double-header it is for the Spireites, third-placed Hartlepool today and then current league leaders Torquay at home on Monday.
Today’s opponents are unbeaten in 15 and have won 11 of their last 12 at Victoria Park so it does not get any tougher really.
But if Chesterfield play like they did against Bromley in midweek I think they can get at least a point and let’s not forget that the Spireites are unbeaten in six themselves.
They can’t afford to waste any chances because they might only get a couple today, and defensively they will need to be at it because Pools put SEVEN past Wealdstone last time out two weeks ago.
The long rest for the Pools could help them but it could also mean they are a little rusty so it could work in Chesterfield’s favour.
I fancy Town to get a draw, so I’m going for 1-1.
Spireites team news
Curtis Weston (Achilles) is back in training after being rested in midweek. He and Gavin Gunning (hamstring) are being carefully managed. Jak McCourt is back in full training.
More from Pools boss Challinor on Danny Rowe
“I think Chesterfield have got themselves a good player but for us, they need to fit with what we can do budget wise and Rowey didn’t,” Challinor told the Hartlepool Mail.
“If we’re talking about a permanent deal, his wages alone are around double what we are paying for any other player in our squad at the moment. We’ve obviously benefited a lot from loans which have allowed us to protect the budget while bringing in quality players.
“I know him better than any manager in the division and he’s statistically the best goalscorer in the National League over the past four or five years.
“He’ll be a big asset to Chesterfield, I watched him on Saturday [at Wrexham] to see how they’ve changed things. We’ll look forward to playing him and stopping him in front of the BT cameras at the weekend.”