Two strong sides were put out for Steve Blatherwick's benefit match at Saltergate this afternoon. It was Forest manager Colin Calderwood's wish that this be so, but it was also a measure of the respect in which Blathers is held.

After leading the sides onto the pitch Steve performed a ceremonial kick-off. The seriousness of the condition that ended Steve's career is indicated by the fact that even this apparently simple-looking task was in doubt, earlier this week; consider, then, that Blathers often played a full-blooded 90 in such discomfort and the richly-deserved heroic status of the man is emphasised.

Chesterfield's starting line-up included four midfield triallists. It was

Michael Jordan

Jamie Lowry   Aaron Downes   Alan O'Hare   Josh Law

T. McParland  Seb Alnomi  Liam Green  Gilberto Perreio

Wayne Allison   Jamie Ward

Forest began thus:

Smith

Wilson   Morgan   Perch   Lockwood

Bastians   Davies   McGugan   James

Dobie   Holt

As far as the triallists are concerned, we think McParland might be Anthony McParland, the former Celtic, Barnsley and Wycombe man. Alnomi is French, apparently, and Perrieo Portugese; Liam Green was a Doncaster player last season.

Chesterfield started in the more lively fashion. Perreio found Ward on the Forest side of the centre circle on 7 and his run beat the offside flag. Jamie advanced to shoot wide from around twenty yards. Alnomi was the provider two minutes later, when Ward again timed his run well; this time, Smith pulled off a good save with his legs.

The Spireites took a deserved lead on 11 when another ball over the defence found ALLISON in pursuit; he was more determined than Morgan, who could only tug The Chief's shirt in forlorn fashion as the Chesterfield man steered the ball to the side of Smith, and in.

Morgan had more luck with shirt-pulling on 25, when he managed to grab enough to put Perreio off and force him to shoot wide when well placed. Forest came back into it as the half continued and Downes conceded the game's first corner by blocking out Davies's fierce shot.

Chesterfield won their first corner as the half closed, when Ward's neat lay-off allowed Allison a shot from around 20 yards that was blocked.

Halftime saw Steve Blatherwick take to the field again. He spoke to express his thanks to his testimonial committee, the club and the fans: even the hardest hearts must have melted as the big man's voice cracked with emotion.

Chesterfield made just the ten changes for the second half, lining up thus:

Michael Jordan

Phil Picken   Janos Kovacs   Kevin Gray   Gregor Robertson

Jamie Jackson   Paul Shaw   Gareth Davies   Nick Wright

Steve Fletcher   Jack Lester

It was pleasing to see Phil Picken back in action so soon after his operation. Nick Wright reportedly turned down a contract offer from Birmingham this summer, after spending a slice of last season on loan at Bristol City.  Two players who didn't feature were Barry Roche who was ill and Derek Niven who had a slight groin strain. 

Forest brought Commons on for Dobie, Lennon for Bastians and Roberts for Davies.

Lester went down under a challenge in the box on 47 but the referee was unimpressed. Robertson put one of several searching balls into the box on 52 to allow Jackson to win a corner. Aaron Davies shot over after a good build-up on 58 and a good Chesterfield move on 60 saw Robertson's cross fed into Shaw's path by Fletcher, but Shaw shot narrowly over.

For Forest, Sinclair replaced Perch and Maloney replaced James on the hour. Chesterfield came close to extending their lead on 71 when Robertson's free kick was headed against the post by Lester, who grew in influence as the half progressed.

Jackson was doing good work down the right and three times allowed Lester to seek good positions with useful passes. Meanwhile, Wright showed great determination to carry the ball through three Forest men in a run from halfway.

Chesterfield finished with an attacking flourish but had to be thankful for Kovacs' cool play near full time as the resolute defender prevented Sinclair from capitalising on a chance by the penalty spot. The Spireites tried to bring Dan Whatsize on for Jordan in the last minute but the ref blew for time.

Despite wanting a competitive friendly, Colin Calderwood's side didn't really threaten our defence. The midfield lacked any involvement from Niven and Winter but this gave an opportunity to five triallists, who all took their chance to shine. For me, Alnomi looked the best; he is tall and athletic, has a good touch and can pass with either foot. McParland linked well and showed some determined touches on the right, and the other three are worth a second look. Robertson's crossing from deep was a good feature of his play.

All four forwards can take satisfaction from their first run-outs; Fletcher's intelligent lay-offs complimented Lester's considered running, while Ward and Allison linked well. In all, it was a promising start, and with a couple more in midfield, the variety at Lee Richardson's disposal will bode well for the immediate future.