Ched nets to get Spireites off hook
CHED EVANS marked his contentious return to competitive action by earning Chesterfield a point at Oxford United.
The 27-year-old’s thundering free-kick in the 76th minute cancelled out Wes Thomas’ first-half strike and shared the spoils in the opening-day clash.
A lot of focus was on Evans, who was booed whenever he got on the ball, but Spireites boss Danny Wilson was pleased with the striker’s performance after four years out of football.
“Ched looked a little ring rusty and just snatched at a couple of opportunities which he might bury later in the season,” Wilson said.
“But he’s got through another 80 minutes and scored and that is good from our point of view.”
It was United’s first League One game for 15 years and Ryan Taylor should have put them ahead after 19 minutes when he beat the offside trap, but finished the move with a poor shot.
His strike partner Thomas did not make any mistake 12 minutes later, rebounding Alex MacDonald’s saved effort following a brilliant cross-field pass from Chris Maguire.
After the break, Thomas hit the post for Oxford before Evans squandered two chances for the visitors.
However, he made amends with 14 minutes left as he rifled a freekick into the bottom left-hand corner from 25 yards out.
“We conceded a soft goal in the first half, but we showed our character in the second half to come back and get a point,” Wilson added.
“I thought all the debutants contributed. From our point of view, it is very important that the lads that have come into the team settle.
“They have settled quite well during preseason, but there’s nothing like the big stage and from what I saw, they’ve done well.”
U’s boss Michael Appleton felt his side should have won, but promised not to dwell on points dropped.
Appleton said: “We probably should have gone more than 1-0 in front at half-time and there are always going to be opportunities on the counter attack and Chesterfield have some good players.
“I think it was a good game and Chesterfield are a decent side with good attacking options, so it was a game where I knew they could be dangerous.
“As the home side, you’re the ones expected to be on the front foot ad I thought the lads did that.
“But we just missed that cutting edge to get the second goal that you need at this level to get the win.”