2nd XI cruise to cup win

Sporting BTC 1-4 Eastleigh 2nd XI


Southampton Senior Cup Round 1

TEAM: Grant Porter, Jon Horner, James Screen, Tom Roberts, Aaron Martin (c), Scott Sampson, Adam Roberts, TJ McClory-Cuthbertson, Aiden Sainsbury, Zach Glasspool, Nathan Lynch

SUBS: Ciro Donadao, Chris Mason, Liam Winzar

Match Report by Jamie Montigue

Eastleigh's young guns cruised through to the next round of the cup with a comfortable 4-1 victory, however it came at a cost losing the talented TJ McClory-Cuthbertson to a sickening injury right at the death.

Things didn't start all that well as the home side's captain headed home a right wing corner on eight minutes finding the bottom right hand corner with a free header at the back post.

The Spitfires fought back however, the tricky Adam Roberts weaved his way past his man on the left flank before delivering a telling cross to pick out Nathan Lynch in the centre; whose header from point blank range was unlucky to bounce back off the post, BTC eventually clearing their lines.

Just a minute later, TJ McClory Cuthbertson's driven free kick from 25 yards rebounded off the keeper diving low to his right, with AARON MARTIN the skipper, following in to find the equaliser.


From here Eastleigh took the upper hand and came close on two occasions with two well struck volley's from Zach Glasspool being deflected behind.

A quickly taken corner on the far side from James Screen found Tom Roberts charging in from the edge of the area but his effort sailed over the cross bar.

With four minutes until the break, Eastleigh took the lead through TOM ROBERTS. The former Portsmouth academy defender/midfielder found himself out on the right and soon had the ball in the back of the net with a lobbed effort in bizarre fashion. It was more than likely an intended cross for Lynch, however it went right the way through and into the top corner for 1-2.



In the closing stages of the first half, Scott Sampson reacted quickest to Aiden Sainsbury's miss hit shot to scoop narrowly over the target.

Glasspool picked up a yellow card for what was seen as a dive by the referee, the Eastleigh forward in search of a penalty.

HALF TIME: Sporting BTC 1-2 Eastleigh 2nd XI

The second half saw one way traffic from Eastleigh as they went in search of extending their lead.

Early on, Glasspool had the opportunity of making it three as he bore down on goal. With Taz and Sainsbury waiting in the centre, Zach chose to go alone and blasted high and wide appearing to stretch his hamstring in doing so.

Managing to continue, Zach once again found himself through on goal but the goalkeeper had to beat away with his legs to avert the danger.

Finally just short of the hour mark, ZACH GLASSPOOL finished off a well worked move to fire home number three, putting the ball to the keeper's right with a decent finish.

Having got his goal, it was now the time to rest the hamstring injury sustained earlier in the half, as he made way for Ciro Donadao.


A cross field pass from TJ saw a first time shot from Sainsbury kept out well, before Porter playing his first full game since recovering from his broken leg; was tested at the opposite end.

The Eastleigh stopper at his best with a flying save to finger tip the ball over the cross bar to deny a well struck BTC free kick from the edge of the area.

In the 79th minute, the Spitfires put the game beyond doubt with a wonderful strike from AIDEN SAINSBURY. It looked an impossible angle but somehow the energetic midfielder picked out the top lefthand corner with a powerful strike to beat the keeper. This goal coming from a quickly taken free kick.

Eastleigh made use of their final substitutions with Chris Mason replacing the excellent James Screen; who dealt with everything that came his way at left back, along with Liam Winzar coming on for Adam Roberts.

With five minutes remaining Nathan Lynch bore down on goal before being caught when making a sharp turn. The referee after a slight delay in the decision, perhaps looking for an advantage, pointed to the spot to give Eastleigh the chance of netting a fifth.

Sainsbury, who had already made his mark on the tie with his goal six minutes earlier, stepped up but didn't look confident and made a complete hash of the spot kick with a scuffed attempt that fail someway short of troubling the keeper.

It didn't matter though as victory was already assured by this point.

Into injury time, right back Jon Horner burst forward and went for goal following good hold up play from Lynch. The goalkeeper doing just enough, clutching the ball to his chest at the second attempt.

The game ended on a real sour note, in particular for Eastleigh. TJ McClory-Cuthbertson was caught by a dangerous late challenge which saw the youngster in real agony. After receiving treatment, the youngster was carried off the pitch and rushed to hospital. It is feared it could be a break to the leg or ankle.


On behalf of the club, we would like to wish TJ our very best and no doubt if the fears become reality it will be a blow to lose such an integral member of the team.

This injury somewhat dampening the spirits following an excellent, professional display in getting the job done.

FULL TIME: Sporting BTC 1-4 Eastleigh 2nd XI

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