Glasspool at the double

TEAM: Grant Porter, Jon Horner, Ross Walliss, Nicky Cole, Scott Gilham (c), Liam Winzar, Joe Prince-Wright, Chris Hall, Brett Williams, Nathan Lynch, Zach Glasspool

SUBS: Lee O'Connell (on for Williams 67), Patmore Sherini (on for Hall 79), Sayem Kabir (on for Liam Winzar 83), Unused: Macs Sampays, Lewis Hunt

MATCH REPORT BY JAMIE MONTIGUE

Three wins in a week for the reserves were complete this afternoon at the expense of Walton & Hersham. It was a commanding performance for the most part in difficult windy conditions, as the side ensured not only four wins on the trot but consecutive clean sheets also.

ZACH GLASSPOOL got the ball rolling in the 21st minute when he despatched an excellent through ball by Chris Hall, with a smart finish into the bottom right hand corner giving Eastleigh the upper hand.

The talented young forward, who is currently being utilised as a left winger, had the confidence to go for goal shortly after netting the opener, from way out on the far touch line. With the goalkeeper back pedalling the cross-shot was dipping and flew narrowly over the cross bar.

Eastleigh's defensive record of late speaks volumes for a certain Grant Porter who yet again played a blinder between the sticks for the Spitfires. It was Porter's excellent save from Conrad Kane's shot that helped to keep his side on top. A good move from the visitors saw Kane presented with a golden opportunity from point blank range, but the young keeper wasn't to be beaten as he beat it away with a flying save to his right.

From one end to the other - Brett Williams beat Wester Young, the Walton stopper, to the ball following Porter's long punt up the field and Nathan Lynch's flick on. Williams did extremely well to get there and was unlucky to see his improvised header fall just wide of the mark and into the sidenetting.

A long drive from Shola Yaya midway through the half, was firstly parried by Porter, then collected swiftly - again doing well to get down and across his goal to keep the effort out.

The advantage should have been extended on 29 minutes when Glasspool found himself in acres of space on the left and not a red shirt in sight. On-side in the box was Lynch, but somehow with odds in their favour, they couldn't convert the golden opportunity as the pass was overhit.

Moments later, Eastleigh had a penalty shout snubbed as Lynch was clearly chopped down in the box. The referee, having a clear view of the incident didn't want to know.

As the half wore on, the home side became stronger it seemed just lacking that all important composure in front of goal. Williams had a couple of efforts go amiss, before on the stroke of half time, a second clear cut chance fell Eastleigh's way.

Joe Prince-Wright fought well in the middle of the park to win possession before unleashing a sublime chipped pass for Lynch. Holding off challenges, Lynch did well but the finish was poor and comfortably wide.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh Res. 1-0 Walton & Hersham

Early in the second half, Eastleigh applied the same pressure that they had done in the first forty-five as they continued their search for a second goal.

After Lynch had a good volley saved, and Williams squandered a chance when put through by Hall's header, Eastleigh came even closer from a corner on the right hand side. The excellent Nicky Cole, putting in yet another commanding performance, met Liam Winzar's corner with a strong leap and powerful header that only just cleared the cross bar.

The first time Porter was tested since those saves in the first half, came from a well struck shot by winger Sam Butler. The shot was destined for goal but Porter was equal to it and got his hands to the ball to palm away from danger.

Short of the hour mark, Eastleigh were gifted with a free kick inside the penalty area, that came about because of a back pass decision against the Walton goalkeeper. Despite the set piece being so well placed and close to goal, Glasspool couldn't take full advantage. Credit must go to Young and his defence for keeping the effort out and the scramble that followed.

Were it not for an offside decision on 67 minutes, Nathan Lynch would have doubled Eastleigh's lead. Glasspool did well down the left hand side with a pinpoint delivery into the centre for his strike partner. Young kept out the first attempt but Lynch found the back of the net from the rebound only to be denied by a flag on the far side.

Eastleigh's first change of the game saw a mini reshuffle with Lee O'Connell taking to the field to replace Williams, causing Glasspool to be pushed up front while the substitute slotted in on the left of midfield.

A rare attack from Walton & Hersham saw Clement Oragbade miss a glorious chance with the goal gaping. Nicky Cole was then booked in bizarre manner. The referee correctly awarded a free kick in Eastleigh's favour, however the centre half was penalised purely because the ball struck a Walton player who refused to move in the first place. Ludicrous when you think that the player who actually committed the offence went unpunished.

Into the last ten minutes and the Spitfires finally got a deserved second goal. It came from a Liam Winzar corner that was headed terrificly towards goal by Pat Moore-Sherini, who had literally been on the pitch a matter of seconds. Like all good forwards, ZACH GLASSPOOL was on hand in front of goal to follow in with a poacher's goal to poke Sherini's header past the keeper, getting a touch to make the goal a certainty.

Things could have gone from good to great with time running out, had Lynch done better with the chance he was presented. Scott Gilham, the skipper launched a deep free kick to pick out Lynch perfectly, who in turn nodded wide with time and space.

Just one of the outstanding Eastleigh players, Joe Prince-Wright, nicked the ball again in a good position before scooping it wide to the fresh legs of Sayem Kabir who had replaced Winzar. Kabir's cross to the back post hung up well and with Glasspool underneath it and on a hattrick it was a shame to see the keeper stop this from happening, with a smart save.

There was one last chance for the Spitfires, with Lynch doing everything right in the approach but firing wide of the mark with his weaker left foot. By this time the game was won as Eastleigh continued their recent run of strong form with this, their fourth straight win.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh Res. 2-0 Walton & Hersham