PREVIEW: Spireites back in League action against Maidenhead

Chesterfield welcome Maidenhead United to the Technique Stadium for their first league game of November. They come into the game off the back of a 4-0 defeat to Stockport County in an FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round replay. The Spireites won the initial game 7-6 on penalties but the game was forced to be replayed due to an administrative error at Chesterfield.

The Opposition

Alan Devonshire’s side currently occupy a play-off place; they sit in 6th on twelve points. Despite a difficult start losing their opening three games and conceding ten goals, the Magpies are now in a good run of form and will look to secure their fifth consecutive league victory on Saturday.

One-To-Watch

Sam Barratt- The 25-year-old is the National League’s top scorer with seven goals- one more than Tom Denton. The winger is in his second spell with the Magpies; he made 97 appearances for them and scored 12 goals between 2014 and 2018. He was also part of the team that won the National League South in the 2016-17 season. Barratt left the Berkshire club to join Southend United for the 2018-19 season but he only made one appearance before suffering a long-term knee injury. He re-joined Maidenhead in September this season.

Previous Meetings

Chesterfield have faced Alan Devonshire’s side three times in total. In the last meeting between the two sides, Josef Yarney equalised late on at York Road to take a point back to Derbyshire.

Team News

John Pemberton revealed that Nathan Tyson is not in contention due to a hamstring problem.

Josef Yarney will serve the final game of his three-match ban.

Pemberton’s Thoughts

“I don’t think we’re in a bad place as a group and we will get better. Every team we’ve played has been up there,” he said.

When asked Saturday’s opponents, the Spireites’ gaffer said: “They’re on the crest of a wave at the moment and full of confidence. They work really hard and they’re on the back of a really good run of form.

“They’re well organised and they’ve got Barratt, who’s scoring goals. They’re a good, honest team who work hard. You’ve got to the do the basics right at every level and they do that very well.”