What John Pemberton said about Joe Rowley after his first Chesterfield start in 11 months

Rowley made his first start for Chesterfield in 11 months on Saturday and put in a bright display in the first half.

The 21-year-old burst onto the scene as a teenager and has been relegated twice with the club.

“Joe came on the scene before I was here so I didn't really see what he was like as a youngster, I just heard about him,” manager John Pemberton said.

“I think my first game when I took over first time I put him in the team.

“He is part of the squad and we told him that all along.

“I have mentioned before I have got five subs and I have to balance everything out.

“The shape of Maidenhead’s team allowed us to get people in that little ‘10’ pocket and doing that well helped us attacking wise and I thought he was very good first half.

“Second half, he said he felt he blew up a bit with the fitness because he wasn’t quite there, which is understandable.

“And obviously we weren’t as good as in the second half and I think we have to be good for Joe to be good. We have to be in the ascendancy and on the ball for him to obviously bring out what he is good at.

“But for his first game I was pleased for him. I thought he did well.”

Meanwhile, Boden scored his first goal of the season on Saturday in only his second start of the new campaign and Pemberton was pleased with his performance.

“He has got experience and a bit of class,” he added.

“Boden knows the craft of a striker, his runs are good, he is intelligent, technically he is good and I thought his fitness was excellent and his all-round play, certainly the in the first half, was very good. He was lively, his runs caused problems and his hold-up play was good. It was an opportunity for him and he scored a good goal so hopefully he can keep that going.”