Match Preview: Chesterfield vs Barnet

Chesterfield host the National League’s early table-toppers Barnet as both teams look to maintain their unbeaten starts to the season.

The Bees are flying high at the top of the National League after four matches with three wins and a draw but face their toughest challenge yet as they take on the Spireites.

Paul Cook’s rejuvenated squad has impressed in the season’s early stages and has taken four out of six points against title prospects Notts County and Wrexham in their last two games.

The ex-Portsmouth boss will have a big call to make when it comes to the goalkeeper position as Lucas Covolan, who has served a three-match ban after seeing red on the opening day, will battle it out with Ross Fitzsimons, who has kept two clean sheets in the Brazilian’s absence.

Striker Kabongo Tshimanga could also be set for some more minutes as he continues to recover from a broken leg he suffered in February. He is yet to start this season but has had cameos in games against Aldershot and Notts County.

The 24-year-old found the net 24 times in 27 league appearances last season, including five goals against Barnet, and with the Spireites travelling to Altrincham on Monday, squad rotation will be key for Paul Cook’s men.

 

Player to watch: Armando Dobra

The Spireites’ new Albanian playmaker Armando Dobra has massively impressed so far in blue and white, scoring and assisting on his debut in a 2-2 draw at Dorking, as well as winning the BT Sports’ Man of the Match award for his performance against Notts County.

Signed in the summer from Cook’s former club Ipswich, Dobra spent the back half of last season on loan at League Two Colchester and has taken to the National League like a duck to water.

Not the tallest of players, the diminutive winger is blessed with exceptional agility and balance which allows him to weave in and out of defenders and create space in tight pockets and will be essential to unlocking the Barnet defence.

After finishing 18^th and 22^nd in the last two seasons, only saved from relegation in 2021 due to Covid 19, Barnet’s impressive start to the campaign has come as a shock to many, and will look to make a real statement with a result at the Technique.

Dean Brennan’s side has hit the back of the net twice in all four league games this season with the help of new signing Nicke Kabamba, who already has three goals this season.

The ex-Wealdstone boss has suggested that the attacking style of play he has utilized so far this season can continue.

“We want to get after the opposition,” said the 42-year-old.

“We’ve got a lot of pace and we want to haunt teams with that.

“Every game our mentality has been excellent and we’ve got good character within the group.”

Brennan has also hinted that he could name an unchanged starting XI for the fourth consecutive match but will also be boosted by players returning to full fitness.

“Kian Flanagan and Daniel Powell will come back into the squad as well as new signing Marvin Armstrong so we’ve got some real strength in depth.

“The teams’ been picking itself lately, they’ve earned the right to stay in the team.”

Player to watch: Ben Wynter

Versatile right-back Ben Wynter joined the Bees this summer following four successful years with Torquay, where the defender made over 150 appearances in Devon, winning the National League South in 2019.

Now aged 24, the Crystal Palace academy graduate has established himself as one of the most complete fullbacks in the division and came agonizingly close to promotion to League Two in the NL Play-Off Final in 2021.

Wynter has played 90 minutes in all four of Barnet’s matches this season and has even chipped in with a goal against Woking.

With the Spireites’ dangerman Dobra playing on the left, this battle will be one to keep a close eye on.

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