O'Connor, Oliver, Bennett and more - The Latest

Thursday 18th October 2007
Home Draw but Rovers flying high - Eastleigh News Extra

EASTLEIGH manager Ian Baird had mixed views after drawing a home tie against Forest Green Rovers in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round on Saturday week, writes WENDY GEE.

The Gloucestershire club notched their fifth win on the bounce 2-1 at Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday to go sixth in the Blue Square Premier and, in 15-goal former Hereford United striker Stuart Fleetwood, they boast the Conference national's leading marksman.

"It could have been a better draw, but it could have been a lot worse - like Forest Green away!" said Baird.

"I watched them on Setanta TV earlier in the season when Salisbury beat them 3-0, but all I know about them is that they're doing really well at the moment. We'll have them watched this Saturday.

"The bonus for us is the game is at home, but having drawn Conference sides in the past, I know they're always very difficult games.

"It will come at the end of a tough week for us with (Blue Square South leaders) Lewes coming here on Saturday and then a trip to Weston-super-Mare on Monday, so we'll be fully stretched."

Craig O'Connor Walks Out on Spitfires

One player who won't be featuring is striker Craig O'Connor who has parted company with Baird for the second time in as many seasons.

Having failed to see out pre-season with Havant & Waterlooville in Baird's time in charge, the experience marksman has once again decided that working with Eastleigh's new boss is not for him.

"He was here on a month-to-month agreement before I came to Eastleigh and since I've been in charge he's played once, come on as a sub in another game and he was an unused sub against Clevedon in the Cup on Saturday," said Baird.

"The last I saw of him was in the dugout on Saturday and, once I'd put the third sub on, he'd gone. Paul Doswell (co-assistant manager) got a text off him later to say he wouldn't be coming back as he couldn't work with me."

And, in a reference to Havant's former striker Leroy Griffiths, who also fell out with Baird, the Spitfires boss added wryly: "I think Craig's gone to party with Leroy in a telephone box!"

Portuguese Duo: Future Undecided

The future of ex-saints Portuguese strike duo Totti and Dani Rodrigues has yet to be decided - both players joined the Spitfires on short-term deals before Baird's arrival.

"Totti's injured at the moment and I spoke to Dani Rodrigues's agent last Thursday and told him that if he gives me a ring at the end of the week I'll give him some guidelines on what's happening with Dani," said Baird.

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Friday 19th October 2007

Oliver shuns 'Borough - Daily Echo



Eastleigh left-back Ian Oliver turned down a move to Southern 1 South & West outfit Farnborough.

The 22-year-old former Swindon Town defender looked to be heading to Cherrywood Road in a deal agreed before Ian Baird took over at the Spitfires' helm at the beginning of the month.

But Baird, who has since signed left-back Adam Everitt from Cambridge City, said yesterday: "Ian wasn't at training on Tuesday and I did hear he was at Farnborough. We'd agreed a deal with them, but I was informed by Steve Moss that Ian had turned down the opportunity to go there."

Baird has been an admirer of Oliver's in the past, but said: "I've taken the opinion of other people and the deal with Farnborough was agreed before I came here.

"We've brought in Adam Everitt, so competition for places is fierce."

Everitt is ruled out of tommorow's visit of unbeaten league leaders Lewes by suspension, but will be free to make his debut at Weston-super-Mare on Monday.

Midfielder/Striker Jamie Brown has a slight calf niggle, frontman Steve Watts returned to training this week and defender Chris Collins is well on the mend from Achilles trouble.

Baird has already lost to Lewes once this season as manager of Havant & Waterlooville, who went down 2-1 at home to Steve King's men on September 22 having been ahead.

Asked if Lewes are the best side he has seen this season, Baird said: "It's difficult to say. I've been impressed with them, Bromley and Eastbourne, but it's all about being consistent and Lewes and Eastbourne have that consistency."

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Friday 19th October 2007

Bennett's a Borough boy for keeps - Daily Echo




GOSPORT Borough will make striker Justin Bennett a permanent addition to their squad ahead of tommorow's FA Trophy first qualifying round trip to Winchester City.

Despite a last-ditch effort by Sydenhams Wessex outfit Brockenhurst to tempt Bennett to Grigg Lane from Eastleigh, the Spitfires had already struck a deal with Gosport for the prolific 25-year-old marksman.

When Eastleigh signed Bennett from Andover two summers ago, they hoped to mould him into a second Andy Forbes.

But he missed the whole of last term with serious knee problems and Spitfires' director of football David Malone reckons the important thing now is getting him regular games.

"Justin could have come back to us and had bit parts in the side, but he needs a full season of first-team football," he said.

"If he starts scoring regularly again I think he'd like to come back to us, but we're in a 'here and now' situation at Eastleigh and we need to do some dealing."

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