Recap: Chesterfield start 2022 with a win against King's Lynn to extend lead at top of National League
With no other games in the National League today, the Spireites will go three points clear at the top of the table with a victory.
The Linnets, who appointed Tommy Widdrington as manager last month, are second bottom and five points from safety.
Our reporter Liam Norcliffe is at the game and will provide all the build-up, team news, updates and reaction.
Chesterfield v King’s Lynn Town: LIVE UPDATES
Key Events
- FT: Chesterfield 1 v 0 King’s Lynn Town (3pm KO)
- Spireites go three points clear at top of league
- Liam Mandeville opens scoring on 51 minutes
- 3-4-2-1: Loach; Williams, Gunning, Whittle; King, Weston, Oyeleke, Miller; Khan, Mandeville; Tshimanga. Subs: Grimes, Kerr, Kellermann, Asante, Payne.
- First game of 2022
- Jeff King starts after returning from injury
Half chance
Long kick by Loach is flicked on by Khan and it reaches Tshimanga in the box but it would not quite drop for him.
Decent start
No clear-cut chances for Chesterfield yet but they are controlling the play well and knocking the ball around with confidence.
0-0, 15 gone.
Opening minutes
We have had a change in referee due to sickness, with fourth official Jack Hall now the man in the middle, replacing Thomas Parsons.
Chesterfield win the first corner of the game. It is swung in by Miller towards the near post, it takes a deflection on the way through with Williams ready to pounce but it just got away from him.
And we’re off!
We are underway at the Technique.
Chesterfield are in their traditional home strip, King’s Lynn are wearing yellow shirts and socks and blue shorts.
Countdown to KO
Here we go then folks for the first game of 2022.
This is the only match taking place today in the National League so Chesterfield have a chance of going three points clear at the top of the table.
I had a feeling Jeff King was pushing for a start for this one and that is the case. He has been out since November 20 with a knee injury.
King’s Lynn are scrapping for their lives down at the bottom so they will be up for the fight and are not just going to roll over.
As always, the first goal will be key and if the Spireites make an early breakthough then you would fancy them to kick-on and get the job done.
Both teams have completed their warm-ups and we are minutes away from kick-off. We are expecting a crowd of around 6,000.
Stay tuned for all the big moments from the next 90 minutes and beyond.
Chesterfield team news confirmed - Jeff King returns
Jeff King, Saidou Khan and Liam Mandeville all start.
Akwasi Asante is on the bench, as is Jim Kellermann.
It is a welcome boost to have King back then. Him and Calvin Miller will be important today.
Saidou Khan and Liam Mandeville rewarded for their impacts off the bench in midweek.
Tyrone Williams drops into the back three.
3-4-2-1: Loach; Williams, Gunning, Whittle; King, Weston, Oyeleke, Miller; Khan, Mandeville; Tshimanga.
Subs: Grimes, Kerr, Kellermann, Asante, Payne.
Opposition team news
Frm King’s Lynn’s club website: “Tyler Denton still remains side lined for the meantime, but Lynn fans can look forward to his return soon after his latest social media post would suggest he’s back in light training.
“Baris Altintop is another player who looks set to miss out, with a niggling foot injury keeping him from making his Lynn debut.
“Kyle Callan-McFadden and Arthur Iontton remain side lined with injury, but McFadden has trained with the first team this week.
“Brett McGavin who had tested positive for covid before the Notts County game could be back in contention for the game along with defender Aaron Jones. Luis Fernandez is set to make a return to the squad after time out, but captain Michael Clunan and defender Pierce Bird could be set to miss the trip north due to Illness.”