Recap: Two goals in four second-half minutes from Danny Rowe and debutant Kabongo Tshimanga hand Spireites opening day win at Aldershot Town
The Spireites reached the play-offs last season and are one of the favourites to achieve promotion to League Two this campaign.
Manager James Rowe had made 10 new signings, and we could see a good number of those in action today.
Our reporter Liam Norcliffe is at the game and will have all the build-up, team news, match updates and reaction so stay with us throughout the day.
Aldershot Town v Chesterfield: LIVE UPDATES
Key Events
- FT: Aldershot Town 0 v 2 Chesterfield (3pm KO)
- A quick-fire second-half double from Rowe (pen) and debut goal for Tshimanga put Spireites in lead
- First game of new National League season
- Spireites XI (3-4-1-2): Loach; Grimes, Gunning, Maguire; King, Oyeleke, Weston, Miller; Mandeville; Rowe, Tshimanga. Subs: Carline, Kerr, Khan Clarke, Payne.
- Debuts for Loach, Grimes, King, Miller and Tshimanga.
Good move
By Chesterfield. Gunning swept it out wide to King on the right who did well to keep it in, Rowe picked up the loose ball and crossed to the far where Tshimanga headed over. It was slightly behind him so it was more of a half chance. 33 minutes gone.
Another booking
This time for Danny Rowe. Seemed a nothing challenge but he is the third Town player to receive a yellow now.
For Aldershot. Kinsella plays a clever free-kick but Edser skews his shot wide from inside the area. Probably should have hit the target. 0-0, half an hour played.
Chesterfield have not really got into their flow in an attacking sense and are giving away too many fouls, which is playing into the Shots hands.
The hosts have just won two successive corners, but the Blues have thankfully cleared their lines.
Bookings
For Chesterfield’s King and then Weston.
The Shots’ Edser is also shown a yellow.
They will have to be careful now.
15 gone, 0-0.
First shot on target
Goes to Chesterfield’s Jeff King, who cut inside on his left foot from the edge of the box but it was an easy for Shots goalkeeper Walker.
Opening stages
It’s been a lively start to the game and it’s cracking atmosphere inside the EBB Stadium.
Both teams have put crosses into the box, and the hosts won an early corner.
No chances of note so far in the first five minutes.
We’re off!
A one minute applause is held for those who lost their lives in the pandemic and we are now underway.
Here we go!
The first match of the new 2021/2022 National League season is about to get underway.
Chesterfield fans are well up for this one, as you can imagine.
Stay with us for all the action over the next 90 minutes.