A bumper crowd of 255 turned up to see a new look Staveley
Miners Welfare take on a Chesterfield 11 featuring a mixture of first team ,academy
and trialist players, in their first home friendly of 2014/15.
It didn’t take long for one of the new signings to make an
impact…
With only four minutes on the clock Nathan Forbes who, last
season scored 11 goals for Worksop Parramore played a one two with Ryan Damms
straight from a freekick, on receiving the return ball Forbes “dropped the
shoulder” sidestepping the Chesterfield defence and rifled the ball home
underneath the despairing dive of ‘keeper Ediz Hoca.
1-0
Forbes almost made it two 6 minutes later blazing a volley
over the bar from a tight angle after great work and cross from Ryan Watters,
playing in the unfamiliar role of right back.
Most of Chesterfields attacking play came from their right,
with number 11, Charlie Daws the tormentor in chief but in truth Staveleys new
‘keeper Steven Hernandez, signed from Parramore had little to do all evening.
This was mainly due to the performances of Craig Fisher, formerly of Retford
United and central defensive partner Matt Hassett both were immense, blocking
shots and snuffing out chances, particularly in the first half.
In fact it was Staveley that looked more like scoring which
they did 27 minutes in courtesy of the left boot of Ryan Damms.
Pouncing on an
underhit back pass from Charlie Raglan Staveleys record goal scorer nudged the
ball past the ‘keeper and curled the ball into the empty net, after previously
rattling the crossbar from 20 odd yards. Former Premier League referee Uriah
Rennie would have ruled out the effort for offside had that gone in however.
2-0
The Spireites reduced the deficit on 32 minutes Charlie
Raglan heading a free kick back in the direction it had come from and over
Hernandez.
2-1
It was only a minor setback however as Ellis Wall hit a long
range volley just over the bar, before Nathan Forbes out muscled Raglan
managing to nudge the ball to an unmarked Ryan Damms who from 6 yards out just
couldn't miss and didn't.
Half Time 3-1
Chesterfield came out for the second half with a bit of
purpose forcing a series of corners and forced Hernandez to dive bravely at the
feet of an onrushing forward (“Nando” proving he’s no chicken) it was however only a half chance, at best, following great defensive awareness
and desire from Ryan Watters who had only just been at the other end of the
field creating a chance for Ellis Wall. The young midfielder received the ball
from Watters and ran across the 18 yard line before firing a shot which the
keeper comfortably saved.
Last seasons young, players and fans player of the season
Josh Scully came on for what may well be his very last appearance in a
Staveley shirt before jetting off to pastures new in the USA came on, as did
Luke Walker on 68 minutes. The latter for Ryan Damms who by then had completed
his hattrick after his effort deflected off Chesterfield sub Laurence Maguire
leaving sub ‘keeper Albert Simpson no chance.
With around 6 minutes to go the average age of the Staveley
side plummeted somewhat when Ryan Bates replaced Ryan Watters and Chris Butt
who made a number of first team starts at the age of 16 last season came on for
Hernandez.
The superior fitness and number of substitutes began to look
apparent and Staveley faced a late onslaught.
Butt showed Manuel
Neuer-esque skills by rushing out and clearing the danger with his head, but
neither he or Neuer for that matter could have done anything about Chesterfield
making a game of it when first Lewis Sugden hit one from outside the box.
4-2
And then Mason Coys brilliant curling shot on the turn which
flew into the top corner.
4-3.
Staveley hung on though for a thoroughly deserved victory.
Full time: Staveley Miners Welfare 4-3 Chesterfield
Staveley Team: 1.Steve Hernandez 2.Ryan Watters 3.Ryan
Dickinson 4.A.Trialist 5.Craig Fisher 6.Matt Hassett 7.Ellis Wall 8.Jordan
Eagers (cpt) 9. Jack Watts 10.Ryan Damms 11.Nathan Forbes.
Attendance: 255
Man of the Match: A number of outstanding candidates with
the obvious choice being hattrick hero Ryan Damms. However Ryan Watters wins the
award for the quality and tireless effort in both attack and defence.
Sorry Dammsy!
