Chesterfield claimed a 3-2 victory over fellow Derbyshire side Belper Town at the Raygar Stadium in their opening pre-season fixture.
New signing Milan Butterfield opened the scoring 13 minutes in before Jonathan Smith found the back of the net with two stunning strikes.
The home side had an early chance to take the lead when Josh Woodcock’s ball from the right found the unmarked Brodie Litchfield but the former Sheffield United youngster’s header flew wide of goal.
The Spireites put Belper under lots of early pressure and they eventually got off the mark in the 13th minute. Butterfield ran through the Belper defence before firing his effort into the bottom corner to score his first goal for the club.
Half an hour in, Smith doubled the Spireites’ lead. His strike from the edge of the area flew past Nailers’ keeper Leigh Overton and into the bottom corner.
Grant Black’s men managed to halve the deficit just before the break. Derry Robson received a long ball over the top and brought it down well to fire away into the back of the net.
Both sides made numerous changes at the interval. For the Spireites, Butterfield, Tom Denton, Jordan Cropper, Joe Rowley and Will Evans were replaced by Liam Mandeville, Jack McKay, Jamie Sharman, Scott Boden and a trialist.
53 minutes in, Smith found the back of the net again - and in spectacular fashion. The midfielder released a stunning half-volley from 30 yards out that flew into the top corner.
On 80 minutes the home side got themselves right back in it when a trialist slotted home from a close range.
Despite late pressure from the home side, the Spireites stood firm to mark their first pre-season run-out with a win.
The Spireites travel to the Proctor Cars Stadium next to take on fellow Derbyshire side Matlock Town next Tuesday.
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