ASANTE FINDS A WAY!
AKWASI Asante finally broke the Maidenhead resolve to extend Chesterfield’s unbeaten streak to five games.
Asante struck 14 minutes from time after the Magpies – and goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore in particular – had frustrated their hosts and looked like adding another twist to the National League title race.
“The performance and the game was average, but the result was fantastic,” said Spireites assistant manager Danny Webb. “It’s three points and it’s all about points now.
“We’re on the home straight now – the big ten. Whether it’s top spot or beneath that, we need to get as many points on the board to make sure we stay as high as we can in the table.”
Maidenhead actually started the brighter as they swarmed the Chesterfield penalty area in search of a way through.
Shawn McClousky was denied when Scott Loach blocked his chipped effort, and the goalkeeper was on hand again to deny Shaun Donnellan’s longrange shot.
Paul Cook’s side soon began to wake up with Joe Quigley – hunting his first goal for the club – sending a shot over Ashmore’s crossbar after Liam Mandeville’s original chance was blocked.
Laurence Maguire also tried his luck, meeting Mandeville’s out-swinging corner well, but his header was denied by the crossbar.
The second half failed to burst into life as the Spireites continued their patient pursuit for an opener.
Ashmore went on an individual crusade to keep the scores level, making a brilliant one-on-one save to deny Saidou Khan and then provide a strong hand to parry Quigley’s effort from danger.
Both sides made changes but the hosts still cpouldn’t find a way past Ashmore. This time Alex Whittle saw a pair of attempts thwarted away by the Boreham Wood loanee.
But with 14 minutes remaining their patience was rewarded when substitute Asante drilled an effort past Ashmore at his near post to bring the Technique Stadium to light.
Maidenhead provided a rare foray forward in search of a late equaliserbut a routine save from Loach and some excellent game management saw them off.
Magpies boss Alan Devonshire believes his side should have come away with more, saying: “It wasn’t the best of games. I think the conditions with the pitch weren’t the best but looked like 0-0 all over.
“They had a couple of chances where Ashmore has made a couple of saves but apart from that, there wasn’t a save. I just felt we should’ve got something from the game.”