Eastleigh Break Losing Streak

Report by Ray Murphy

2nd September 2006
Conference South

Jefferson Louis grabbed an 90th minute equaliser to cancel out an early Braintree goal.

Following a run of four successive defeats, it was a somewhat nervous looking Eastleigh side that took the field for a one o’clock kick off in deepest rural Essex on Saturday. Francis Benali returned to the side from injury, Ian Oliver was moved forward into a midfield role on the left hand side and a debut for Wayne Purser, a striker signed on a month’s loan from Weymouth.

The start could not have been worse either. On ten minutes Eastleigh found themselves a goal behind. A long free kick from deep inside his own half by Billy Burgess landed in between Matt Bound And Paul Musselwhite. The momentary hesitation between the two allowed Louis Riddle time to intercept the ball and strike into an unguarded goal.

The home side were now running the whole of the pitch. Midfield general Bradley Quinton orchestrating many of the moves from midfield with wide right man Robbie Martin and left sider Riddle teasing the Spitfires defence and central striker James Baker winning most of the aerial duels. Five minutes after the opening goal Russ Edwards headed back a Martin corner and Bakers shot was saved by Musselwhite. Two minutes later and Baker headed a Martin corner just over the bar. On the next Braintree attack a minute later Martin ran at the Eastleigh defence, which opened up in front of him, but his shot was also saved by Musselwhite.

On the half hour another cross from Martin saw Baker again rise but head just wide with Musselwhite rooted to the spot. Despite the pressure Eastleigh were easing themselves into the game. On thirty-three minutes in their first goal attempt Adam James had a low shot from outside the area that goalkeeper Nicky Morgan had to dive across his goal to claim the ball. Three minutes before half time an Oliver cross fell into the path of Purser for arguably the best chance of the afternoon so far but Morgan made an excellent stop to deny the new boy a debut goal.

On the stroke of half time a cross cum shot from Riddle had to be turned away by Musselwhite and with the game in first half stoppage time, Jefferson Louis fired high from an Oliver corner.

Whatever was said by the Eastleigh management at half time certainly worked for the side as they took the field in a much more positive and confident manner. From the outset they probed away at the home side. In the opening minute Pursers turn and shot brought another save out of Morgan quickly followed by David Hughes and Louis exchanging passes with Louis' shot just clearing the crossbar.

Seven minutes into this second half and following an amount of Eastleigh pressure, a right wing corner fell just outside the area for Louis to fire another strike just over the bar. Two minutes later and a replicate of the previous Hughes corner and this time Louis shot was inches past the post.

Eastleigh were in command for the second period but just could not break down the Braintree defence. Danny Smith limped away from the action with a hamstring injury as the whole Eastleigh side pushed themselves forward. Braintree did not have a second half attempt in the area until five minutes from time when substitute and new signing from Farnborough Town Warren McBean broke through into the area but a fine tackle from James prevented the striker a shot on goal.

As time seemed to be running out for Eastleigh, James sent a curling shot that was saved by Morgan but then in the final minute of the match Eastleigh scored the equaliser that they so richly deserved. Oliver’s pass into the stride of Louis saw the striker sprint beyond the Braintree defence before firing a shot wide of Morgan into the net to the delight of the Eastleigh contingent.

In the four minutes of stoppage time that remained if the match was to produce a winner it would only have been from the visitors. The closest that they came to notching the three points was three minutes into stoppage time when Darren Wheelers long throw fell for Hughes but his effort was blocked.

All in all a point away from home was highly welcomed as was the run of four successive defeats and it is hoped that this will now kick start the Eastleigh season with a renewed air of confidence on the team coach on the way back to Hampshire.