Eastleigh FC

Suburban Premier League Basingstoke Reserves v Eastleigh Reserves EASTLEIGH: Wayne Shaw, Liam Winzar, Ian Oliver, Adam James, Scott Gilham, Sayem Kabir, Brian Dutton, Liam Green, Ryan Ashford, Ben Ngwa, Darren Wheeler SUBS: Macs Sampays, Phil Cousens, Paul Fagg, Brett Williams Eastleigh reserves, containing eight first team players took all three points in what was their first win since being promoted last season. Former Spitfires striker, Mark Peters struck the upright for the home side only four minutes into the game with a swerving effort. Darren Wheeler shone at this level of football last night with his burning pace being a highlight of the first half. The former Weymouth man could have had at least a hattrick by half time with a number of efforts coming close. Before his opening goal just before half time, Wheeler in the 11th minute left the Basingstoke right back for dead before getting into the box and seeing a chipped effort fly back off the crossbar. Two minute...

Photos by Jozef Montigue and Graeme Horobin

Report by Jamie Montigue 28th August 2006 Conference South In front of a record home league crowd of 928, Eastleigh were unable to end their losing streak as Rocky Baptiste’s 43rd minute goal proved to be the match winner. The Spitfires lined up without Steve Forbes, who is set to undergo major surgery to his face after the horrendous challenge at Fisher Athletic. It is thought that Forbes will be out for at least three months and of course we wish him a very speedy recovery. Eastleigh were also without defenders Jason Dodd, Francis Benali and Rob Marshall. Andy Forbes’ ankle injury came back to haunt him at the weekend, thus leaving just Dave Town and Jefferson Louis as the only fit strikers (Justin Bennett and Stuart Douglas are still recovering). Paul Doswell adopted a 4-5-1 formation with Louis as the lone striker and a packed midfield. Havant had a couple of early attempts, firstly Richard Pacquette connected with a long kick by goalkeeper Shane Gore but his effort flew...

Report by Ray Murphy 26th August 2006 Conference South It was a third straight defeat for Eastleigh but a third straight victory for home side Fisher Athletic. Eastleigh were bereft of the services of Robbie Marshall through injury giving a return from injury Chris Collins his first start of the season, whilst Ryan Ashford was also included for his first start of the season at the expense of Liam Green. Dave Town was suspended whilst Darren Wheeler passed a late fitness test but had to be content with a place on the bench. The disappointment of the defeat led to a lengthy discussion in the changing room after the game with the whole squad, whilst the team’s management were left meeting late into the evening on their return to The Silverlake Stadium. The game took some time to develop any pattern. Andy Forbes was caught by a late challenge in the opening couple of minutes, which saw his previously damaged ankle again be troublesome. It took though some twenty-four minutes bef...

EFC RESERVES: Joe Morrison, Liam Winzar (Long), Scott Gilham, Craig Cansdale (c), Toure Mamadouba, Sayem Kabir, Andy Weston, Lewis Hunt (Fagg), Lee O'Connell (Williams), Ben Ngwa, Zach Glasspool SUBS: Luke Douglas, Paul Fagg, Brett Williams, Dan Long Despite Ben Ngwa coming close on two occasions just before half time, the score remained 0-0 at the end of the first half. In the second 45 Burnham took a 1-0 lead and then were fortunate to increase their lead to 2-0 from a free kick harshly given for an alleged back pass by centre back Scott Gilham to goalkeeper Joe Morrison. Eastleigh made three second half substitutions, Paul Fagg replacing Lewis Hunt in the centre of midfield, Brett Williams coming on for winger Lee O'Connell and Dan Long replacing Liam Winzar at right back. Ben Ngwa had to come off injured when he was fouled in the box with no penalty being given. Eastleigh now down to ten players scored a consolation goal through striker Zach Glasspool but couldn...

Report by Ray Murphy Eastleigh suffered a second defeat in four days in a match that they really should have taken something from. It was an improved performance from the game against Welling, but lack of prowess in the final third cost Eastleigh dear. There were several changes to the Eastleigh line up from their previous fixture. There were first starts of the season in the Conference for strikers Andy Forbes and Jefferson Louis and also a starting debut for Liam Green, whilst there was a return for defender Robbie Marshall and the ever useful Martin Thomas this time having to fill in at full back. On the missing list were the injured Darren Wheeler and Jason Dodd. The home side also had injury worries of their own missing both Mark Robinson and Terry Parker. The game was barely three minutes old when the home side scored what proved to be the only goal of the game. enough to send Dorchester to fourth spot in the table. Justin Keelers inswinging right flank corner was only clear...

Hayes opened the scoring after just seven minutes, a Rhys Price cross from the right found Stafforde Palmer who shot under the keeper's body and into the back of the net. In the 35th minute Hayes increased the lead, through defender Ryan Tackley who headed home. After going in 2-0 down at half time, Andy Forbes grabbed a goal in his come back match, it is hopeful that he will now be fit for tomorrow night's encounter with Dorchester. With the game in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Eastleigh conceded a third when Palmer stepped up to net his second and to wrap up the game. EASTLEIGH RESERVES: Forthcoming Fixtures 26th August - (HOME) v Burnham 30th August - (AWAY) v Basingstoke

EASTLEIGH V WELLING SATURDAY 19TH AUGUST 2006 Conference South After starting the game very well and getting the early lead, Eastleigh threw away the game two soft goals and a controversial free kick courtesy of the assistant referee! The Spitfires had their first attempt on goal through a Jason Dodd free kick 25 yards from goal. The ball flew over the wall with good pace but in the end it was a comfortable save for Jamie Turner diving low to his left. In the very next minute of the game, Eastleigh played their best passage of football that was seen throughout the whole game. With the obvious lack of out and out strikers available, Martin Thomas again lined up in unfamiliar territory as a striker after having such an impact in the 2-1 win over Hayes. It was Thomas that started the move as he linked up with Dave Town before chipping the ball in to the right for Danny Smith who helped the ball on to the tricky Darren Wheeler. Wheeler sidestepped two challenges before creating ...

EASTLEIGH V HAYES TUESDAY 15TH AUGUST 2006 Conference South The Spitfires maintained their unbeaten start to this season’s league campaign after coming back from a goal behind to take all three points. Eastleigh showed exactly the kind of spirit that was needed despite having so many players missing and amid the striker crisis, a treble substitution from Paul Doswell turned the game with a Matt Bound penalty and Steve Forbes header sealing the win in what was a solid performance. Hayes had the opening chance of the game after only 4 minutes. A cross from the right went all the way to the back post where Liam Feeney’s miss kick fell perfectly for Kieran Knight but fortunately for Eastleigh the effort was a let off as the striker failed to trouble Paul Musselwhite with his header. Despite David Hughes becoming the proud father of his new baby girl recently, he certainly did not show any signs of this affecting his game. The former Saints man showed exactly why he is such a hi...

On the opening day of the Conference South season, the Spitfires went 1-0 up on the stroke of half time through Darren Wheeler only to see the newly promoted Bedford equalise through a penalty kick. Dave Town handled on the goal line, which led to a red card, and Lee Howarth beat Paul Musselwhite from 12 yards to level the game and that is how it finished. MATCH REPORT BY RAY MURPHY: Bedford Town 1 Eastleigh 1 Conference South On a blustery windy afternoon, Eastleigh returned from the home of Conference South new boys Bedford Town with a deserved point. All the pre season preparations out of the way and the final team list named The Spitfires were the first opponents for last seasons Southern League play off winners, having actually finished sixth at the end of the league campaign. Bedford fielded near enough the side that had won them promotion last season, one notable exception being the addition to the squad of thirty three year old striker John Lawford previously of Heme...

  (Above: Squad Problems!) STARTING LINEUPS: 1ST TEAM: Paul Musselwhite, Jason Dodd, Martin Thomas, Matt Bound, Francis Benali, Danny Smith, David Hughes, Adam James, Darren Wheeler, Andy Forbes, Dave Town RESERVES: Wayne Shaw, Liam Winzar, Ryan Woodford, Jason Stock, Ian Oliver, Brian Dutton, Steve Forbes, Liam Green, Fouzi Mesaoudi, Jefferson Louis, Ashley Jarvis Last night the Eastleigh first team played a training match against the reserves to try and give Andy Forbes some match practice for Saturday as he looks to recover from the injury he picked up at Bashley. However things didn't go according to plan as Forbes had to come off minutes into the game after feeling the injury again. The game was played at a good tempo with both sides having good chances however the first team struck twice in two minutes before half time. Firstly a typical assist from Danny Smith was despatched with a cool finish from Dave Town as he lobbed the ball over the head of Wayne Shaw and then...

LINEUP: Wayne Shaw, Ian Oliver, Ryan Woodford, Craig Cansdale, Liam Winzar, Lee O'Connell, Sayem Kabir, Lewis Hunt, Andy Weston, Ashley Jarvis, Ryan Lock SUBS: Brett Williams, Martin Harris, Jordan Hamilton, Scott Gilham The reserve team featuring Wayne Shaw and Ian Oliver dominated their opponents from start to finish and proved clinical in front of goal. Eastleigh's first chance came in the 7th minute when trialist Lee O'Connell pass found Ryan Lock who tried to poke the ball past the keeper however a trailing arm from the Blackfield stopper saw the ball go out for a corner. It didn't take long before Ian and Wayne's side had taken the lead. 14 minutes into the game and Lewis Hunt popped up from midfield to curl the ball with ease into the bottom corner as he linked up well with Ashley Jarvis whose hold up play created the goal. Two chances in quick succession fell to Jarvis the first of which he perhaps might have done better as he found himself with ju...

TEAM: Luke Douglas, Liam Winzar, Jordan Hamilton, Ryan Woodford (c), Jason Stock, Sayem Kabir, Craig Cansdale, Andy Weston , Lee O'Connell, Brett Williams, Zach Glasspool SUBS: Lewis Hunt, Dan Long, Ben Ngwa, Toure Mamadouba, Macs Sampays Another young Eastleigh reserve side took on a very physical Wessex League Division 2 Otterbourne side at Otterbourne this afternoon. On 17 minutes, following a free kick, Otterbourne took the lead. On 20 minutes Ryan Woodford headed the equaliser from a Lee O'Connell corner. On 30 minutes Craig Cansdale put Eastleigh 2-1 in front with a fine shot following a free kick from Sayem Kabir. HALF TIME: Otterbourne 1-2 Eastleigh Res. In the 48th minute Otterbourne grabbed the equaliser to make the score 2-2. In the 51st minute Lewis Hunt replaced Andy Weston in the centre of midfield. In the 53rd minute Zach Glasspool went on a good run and was chopped down in the box resulting in the referee pointing to the penalty spot. Glass...

Fawley AFC 3-5 Eastleigh Under 18's Goals: 0-1 - Sayem Kabir cross from the right, turned in by Zach Glasspool with neat finish turning the ball past the keeper inside the first ten minutes of the game. 0-2 - Another great cross from former Bashley player Kabir, Brett Williams climbed well in the middle and directed a great header into the top corner to double the youthful Eastleigh sides lead. 1-2 - Fawley pegged Eastleigh back immediately. Centre back Craig Cansdale was caught out by the pace of the Fawley winger who got to the byline before playing the ball square to tee up a teammate. The ball was struck well from 8 yards but depsite the best efforts of the Eastleigh keeper he could not keep it out. HALF TIME: Fawley 1-2 Eastleigh Under 18's 2-2 - Fawley came out in the second half firing on all cylinders. Within minutes they had found the equaliser due to a soft clearance allowing the Fawley player to pick his spot and despatch the ball into the bottom right...

FRANCIS BENALI TRANSFER CONFIRMED Southampton legend Francis Benali signed for the club yesterday morning and is set to be unveiled to the media today. Franny has followed in the footsteps of former Saints teammate Jason Dodd to link up with Paul Doswell and this will no doubt strengthen our connection with Southampton Football Club and more importantly our chances of promotion this season. Paul Doswell confirmed the signing in an interview with Skyline FM.

TUESDAY 1ST AUGUST 2006 EASTLEIGH LINEUP: Luke Douglas, Jack Smith, Scott Gilham, Andy Puckett, Jason Stock, Macs Sampays, Lewis Hunt, Andy Weston, Jordan Hamilton, Ashley Jarvis, Ben Ngwa SUBS: Ryan Woodford, Craig Cansdale, Lee O'Connell, Liam Winzar, Ryan Lock After a slow start to the match, Eastleigh soon found their stride and went on to dominate the first half with Ben Ngwa's goal on 32 minutes being enough to separate the two teams at the break. However the Wessex League side came out in the second half with a lot of determination and managed to score 2 goals late on to steal the win. Jack Smith and Andy Puckett were both back in Eastleigh shirts as depsite being on loan to Andover the club have them available on Tuesdays. The side contained only two regulars from the reserve side that were promoted from the Suburban South League last season, Jordan Hamilton and goalscorer Ben Ngwa, as both Ian and Wayne are looking to form a stronger squad for the season ahead...

EASTLEIGH 0-0 POOLE TOWN This pre-season friendly, on a bumpy school pitch resulted in a stalemate. However the 90 minutes of football is the most important thing at this stage of pre-season as the squad look to shape up for the coming campaign.