Chesterfield 2 – 0 Wealdstone

Chesterfield

National League

2 - 0

Wealdstone

KO: 15:00 | Sat 28th Aug ’21

Wealdstone were beaten 2-0 on the road by title favourites Chesterfield at the Technique Stadium. An early goal from Saidou Khan and a late header from substitute George Carline sealed the win.

Stones boss Stuart Maynard made just one change to the side that lost the opening day fixture to Woking, with Alex Dyer in for Matt Buse in the midfield.

The hosts got off to the perfect start on five minutes when Gambian midfielder Saidou Khan scored on his home debut, he turned his defender from a throw-in before unleashing a fierce effort low inside the near post.

It took a while for the Stones to settle into the game and George Wickens had to be alert to tip Danny Rowe’s 20-yard effort wide on 18 minutes.

Fraser Kerr was next to go close for the hosts. Jack Clarke’s cross found Laurence Maguire at the far post who nodded it back across goal to Kerr but he could only flick his effort over when stretching.

Stones best effort of the half came on half time. Dyer found Andrew Eleftheriou free on the right, he played it inside to Craig Fasanmade who spun Maguire but he dragged his effort just wide from the edge of the area.

Wealdstone started the second half in the ascendancy and Charlie Cooper proved a nuisance, calling Curtis Weston into making a crucial block from his 25-yard shot.

Cooper was also a threat on the dead ball and his excellent whipped free kick found Fasanmade at the far post but the forward bundled his header just wide.

Stones striker Josh Umerah went close on 72 minutes after latching onto a long punt upfield by Wickens. His effort stung the palms of Scott Loach and the hosts cleared.

Wickens then made a fantastic contribution at his own end of the pitch, somehow managing to get his fingertips on Kerr’s 30-yard thunderbolt to prevent it from going into the top corner.

However, the hosts had the final sting in the tail despite Wealdstone’s second half pressure. Spireites captain Gavin Gunning hooked a clearance over his head back into the box to sub Carline who nodded it at the far post.

WEALDSTONE: Wickens, Tavares, Cook, Okimo (c), Eleftheriou, Dyer (Buse 86), Cooper (Charles 86), Lewis, Browne, Fasanmade (Elito 76), Umerah. Subs not used: Wishart, Cawley.

Attendance: 5,336 (incl. 170 Wealdstone fans)

Report by Chris Woods

Stuart Maynard Post Match Interview HERE

Jon Taffel Match Pictures HERE