Saturday 6th August 2016
Match Report by Howard Borrell
Pics courtesy and © Kerry Wain
SkyBet League One
Oxford United 1-1 Chesterfield
Kassam Stadium, Saturday 6th August 2016, 3pm
This was always going to be a difficult fixture. A promoted team on a roll and playing host to a much changed Spireites line-up who needed to learn how to gel into an effective unit.
 The half time scoreline was a fair reflection of a period that saw Oxford grab the initiative mid-way through the half and score just before the half hour mark. The Spireites had no option but to step up a gear and Ched Evans (left), ensured he'll stay in the headlines for all the right reasons as he powered home a free kick that managed to elude a dozen players in a crowded penalty area.
If the optimism of the Spireites fans present in the ground proves well founded there just may be a few more pleasant shocks as the season unfolds.
Quite a few playing personnel changes had taken place during the summer break and four of those new Spireite faces made their debut at the Kassam Stadium. Of course, Ched Evans will be the one that the cameras were focused on initially but it's to be hoped that the rest of the squad rapidly gain similar attention for their abilities. Sam Hird missed through suspension and Dan Jones' ankle needed a little more recovery time but it was a quietly confident eleven that started in the Oxford sunshine.
Oxford are back in League One for the first time since 2001 and even had to endure a period in the Conference before a second place finish last season meant that they will be looking to the new campaign with confidence - as they aim to maintain the momentum that brought them success and plaudits in equal measure.
Oxford burst forward from the kick off but their initial flurry was dealt with and debutant Jon Nolan looked confident as broke well and played a couple of neat lay-offs.
Wes Thomas may think he should have done better moments later when he found himself on the edge of the box with no real option other than to cross; his ball flew across the face of goal with no takers.
After five minutes, Gary Liddle tried his luck with a central effort from 20 yards. Simon Eastwood held comfortably.
Referee Gavin Ward showed some early clemency after Charlie Raglan unceremoniously brought down Wes Thomas a few yards outside the area. Chris Maguire's free kick posed little threat as his effort beat the wall but whizzed by the left upright.
Ryan Taylor had a great couple of openings to break the deadlock within a few seconds; first he failed to control a high ball on the edge of the six yard area and moments later Ryan Fulton won the battle for a loose ground level ball that would have been a cert for the home striker.
After a period of sustained pressure, Oxford took the lead when Ryan Fulton could only parry an angled drive from Alex Macdonald; the alert Wes Thomas thought it was Christmas as he poked home from close range.
The goal inevitably forced the Spireites to push forward more prompting an ambitious but wayward shot from distance from Jon Nolan and a header wide from Gary Liddle.
Oxford lost two key players to injury in training the previous day and suffered another injury blow when defender Chey Dunkley had to be replaced by Josh Ruffels five minutes before the break.
HT: 1-0
 There were no actual changes at the start of the second period but it was a much livelier approach from the Spireites as Gboly Ariyibi (left), tore down the right and was quickly felled. Moments later, Ariyibi provided a quality cross for Liddle who,failed to take advantage.
Thomas should have bagged his second four minutes into the half when he beat the offside trap and burst into the box. His shot looked destined for the bottom left corner instead the upright came to the Spireites' rescue.
A great distance ball from Nolan found Ariyibi in the area but it was a difficult ball to control and the home keeper, Eastwood, claimed.
Evans almost levelled after he received inside the area, saw the opening and powered to the right - only to be denied by a superb save from Eastwood.
The Spireites continued to push forward and Evans missed a second decent opening; he ran well into the area but lashed the fast ball in well wide.
At the other end, Thomas failed to tap home after Taylor and Servombe combined well to create his opening.
Rai Simons replaced the quiet Dan Gardner and immediately caused problems as he ran confidently at United's defence.
Moments later, Evans again fluffed his lines - clear through with only the keeper to beat, he pushed the ball too close to Eastwood who grabbed and smothered.
It seemed the only way Ariyibi could be stopped was to bring him down. Josh Ruffels picked up a yellow card for the latest transgression and that paved the way for an explosive leveller. Ched Evans put his earlier misses behind and struck a stunning free kick from 30 yards into the bottom left corner.
1-1
The Spireites showed no sign of settling for a point and continued to press. In the meantime Liam Donohue, who had looked solid after a sluggish start, picked up a yellow for a clumsy challenge near the touch line.
With the minutes ticking away, Kristian Dennis took over the lead striker's role from Evans and slotted in quickly as Chesterfield kept up the momentum.
Overall, a good point and a positive start to a new season - as almost 900 singing Spireites will testify.
FT: 1-1
CHESTERFIELD:
Fulton, McGinn, Raglan, Donohie, Evatt, Gardner (Simons, 67), Nolan, Liddle, Ariyibi, Evans (Dennis, 88), O'Shea
Subs not used: Mitchell, Dimaio, Allinson, Maguire, Daley
REFEREE: Gavin Ward
ATT: 8,679
For more information and other CFC news, go to www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk
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