TEAM: Grant Porter, Jon Horner, Theo Tonkin, Zeke Rink, Tom Roberts (c), Liam Winzar, Joe Sheppard, TJ McClory-Cuthbertson, James Screen, Joe Maxwell, Adam Heath
SUBS: Nathan Lynch (on for Maxwell 24), Niall Bryant (on for Tonkin 56), Perry Mullins (on for Winzar 56) - Unused: Aiden Sainsbury, Jason Sangha.
Match Report by Jamie Montigue
Eastleigh's second eleven were on course for their second win in the week following their 2-1 victory over Fleet Town on Monday night, but an abysmal display from the referee ultimately stopped them from securing all three points.
The first half was very even and in the opening stages neither side could really break each other down.
TJ McClory-Cuthbertson had a shot heading towards goal diverted by the man with the whistle on 11 minutes, in a move that saw good passing in the build up.
Ashford Town had a chance moments later with their centre forward, Jimmy Brazil's effort being deflected by both Tom Roberts and Zeke Rink before the ball was cleared off the line.
The visitors then came close from a Dan Sacha header from a right wing cross.
At the opposite end the Spitfires came within a whisker of taking the lead. Liam Winzar, who was back in the side today following a loan spell at Horndean, centred the ball with a superb delivery only for Joe Maxwell's powerful header to go narrowly over the cross bar.
Nathan Lynch was handed an early introduction to the action on 24 minutes as he replaced the injured Maxwell, who, it is thought has pulled his hamstring.
Good link up play from both of the Ashford strikers, Brazil and Joe Funicello created a decent chance for the Middlesex side, but having collided with Porter inside the penalty area the ball was blazed high over the top, thus squandering a great opportunity of a goal.
Alongside Lynch in the Eastleigh attack was Adam Heath, a trialist from Andover, and it was he who did well to force a corner midway through the half. James Screen's excellent delivery was met by a towering header from Lynch and was unlucky to fly just wide of the mark.
A minute later, the hosts keeping the pressure on, forced a further corner - this time Winzar's cross was deflected behind. Screen again curled the ball in towards Lynch, who attacked the ball well but the Ashford stopper claimed the ball ahead of the striker with good handling.
The half coming to a close, Joe Sheppard drilled a shot comfortably wide of the target following good interplay from both Lynch and Winzar.
In stoppage time, the visitors headed wide from a free kick.
HALF TIME: Eastleigh 2nd XI 0-0 Ashford Town Res.
The first half did see a couple of chances for either side but the game did not come to life really until the second forty-five where there was a sharp increase in goal mouth action.
Just three minutes in, Ashford were denied as they looked to break the stalemate. With Porter beaten initially, Theo Tonkin found himself well placed to block the ball on the goalline taking a nasty blow for the team in the process. The left back had to leave the field shortly after with blood pouring from his nose.
The follow up came straight back out to the Ashford number 9, though this time Porter made a very good save to tip around the post for a corner.
Jason Massing fired inches wide of the left upright with a well-struck shot from distance having cut in from the left flank as Ashford continued to show their intent.
Eastleigh had to up their game, and by all accounts they did. Adam Heath took on several opponents on the left hand side for the Spitfires with good pace and dribbling but perhaps could have either got the shot away earlier or fed the ball wide to Winzar who was free on the right with plenty of space, screaming for the pass.
Having made up good ground and getting to the edge of the penalty area, Heath had his shot charged down the ball falling to the feet of Screen who miscued his effort from the follow up.
Four minutes short of the hour mark, Eastleigh used their remaining two substitutions with a double swap. Niall Bryant replaced Theo Tonkin at left back whilst Liam Winzar made way for Perry Mullins on the right side of midfield.
An offside decision ruled out a goal for the visitors in the 58th minute when Simon James got the better of Bryant with great pace, before squaring. The ball was slammed home but it did not matter as the flag was already up on the far side.
Then came the opening goal of the game. Pure inspiration from Eastleigh's TJ McClory-Cuthbertson saw the former Portsmouth youngster chip an excellent measured pass over the top of the defence for the assist. It didn't look as though much was on, but NATHAN LYNCH pressurised the Ashford centre back and held his own for strength to get the better of his marker before slotting past the keeper for 1-0.
Eastleigh looked good for their advantage and wasted little time in searching for a second. A second defence splitting pass in a matter of minutes from TJ saw Perry Mullins pull the ball back into the centre. Heath's dummy saw Lynch with his back to goal, let the ball roll across his body before turning and hitting with his weaker left foot.
Great football from Brian and Adie's men that deserved better. On this occasion the goalkeeper did well to block the shot.
Only seven minutes had passed since the goal and still Eastleigh were looking to extend their lead. Lynch played the ball back to McClory-Cuthbertson, who took one touch to get it out of his feet before hitting a speculative curling effort with a great strike, one which came within inches of finding the net.
For all of Eastleigh's dominance in pressure and possession, Ashford did not give up on the contest and were it not for the woodwork would have found an equaliser. In the 66th minute, Jason Massing played the ball in to Funicello who shimmied left and right before thumping against the post with a powerful effort from eight yards.
Back on top momentarily, Heath ran at the defence with purpose and pace and in so doing drew the foul to win a free kick just 25 yards from goal. Screen played it short to Tom Roberts who scooped the ball hopelessly high and wide from a good opportunity.
Ashford were finding plenty of room, time and space in the midfield as the game opened up and Porter had to be at his best to thwart a good hit from Funicello on 70 minutes.
Disaster struck for the hosts when centre half, Zeke Rink had to be stretchered off for a dislocated shoulder and rushed to hospital. Having used all three substitutions, Eastleigh were down to ten men.
James Screen switched to left back with Niall Bryant moving across to the centre of the back four, whilst Heath dropped into the left of midfield leaving Lynch as the lone striker as Eastleigh had to go about the remaining twenty minutes a man down.
They reacted positively with Perry Mullins attacking the left back before getting to the byline and putting in a dangerous ball across the face of goal. The goalkeeper, Craig Ross could only flap at it, but Heath was unable to turn the ball goalwards.
At this point in the game, it became clear the referee lost what little grip he already had. Persisently rewarding Ashford Town with free kicks seemingly for little reason, Jon Horner was writhing in pain on the floor but was told to get up just moments after Nathan Lynch was penalised for being fouled at the other end!
Play went on for a couple of minutes before, at the second time of asking, the referee decided maybe the Eastleigh right back was in need of treatment after all. Horner made his feelings known and was booked for dissent, but in my eyes had every right to feel aggrieved as the man in black lost the respect of the players yet again.
Coming to the knowledge that they were up against 12 men, the Spitfires were made to endure a few nervy moments at the end as they looked to preserve their lead.
It looked as if they might just do it, when in the third minute of injury time the referee made his worst decision yet when James Screen won the ball fairly on the half way line. It was beyond belief that a free kick was awarded when the challenge was right in front of the referee's nose.
A real sickening moment for Eastleigh as the free kick was curled into the box and smashed into the roof of the net from six yards. The referee claiming the assist and robbing the Spitfires of the three points they deserved.
Jimmy Brazil might have won it in the closing stages as he was put clean through on goal but the Ashford Town striker lacked composure and failed to trouble Porter.
After the full time whistle, TJ McClory-Cuthbertson was shown a red card for comments to the very dire match official, whose performance would have made for interesting viewing for the referee's assessor sat in the stand.
FULL TIME: Eastleigh 2nd XI 1-1 Ashford Town Res.
