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Showing posts from January, 2008

Farnborough hand out cup KO

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Pullen and Holgate seal loan moves ... Marshall could become a permanent Eastleigh signing

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Goalkeeper James Pullen has gone on loan to AFC Wimbledon and made his debut for the Ryman Premier outfit last night in a 1-0 defeat to Boreham Wood. Out-of-favour striker, Ashan Holgate has also walked through the exit doors at the Silverlake Stadium as he heads off to Cirencester Town for the remainder of the season. Meanwhile it would seem Baird is keen to complete the permanent signing of Mark Marshall who has been on loan from Grays Athletic since the beginning of the month. The 20-year-old has impressed immensely during the one month loan spell and according to reports in yesterday's (29th Jan) Daily Echo, Eastleigh are lining up an 18-month contract for the London-based wideman but will have to hold fire until February 1 to finalise it after the loan period has expired. Ian Baird confirmed there would be no fee involved as "his contract was up at the end of the season". Marshall has already proven to be a big success with the fans having made an electric start sco

Wilkinson inspires fine away win

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Bognor Regis 0 Eastleigh 3 Blue Square South Match Report by Ray Murphy It was a strange game at Nyewood Lane, Bognor on Saturday. Eastleigh manager Ian Baird gave a debut to loan signing goalkeeper a 20 year old from Crystal Palace, whilst Fitzroy Simpson was also given his first start in the side for a month. The early pressure from the home side had the Eastleigh rearguard looking anything but secure though they never tested Wilkinson. With only three minutes played and having absorbed the early pressure a long throw from the left flank from Adam Everitt was allowed to bounce inside the Bognor penalty area and with the ball rising Jamie Brown nipped in through a static Bognor rearguard to drop a header over home goalkeeper Craig Stoner and give Eastleigh the lead. Bognor striker Mark Knee saw his pace allow him to get behind the Eastleigh back four again but Wilkinson was soon off his line to avert the danger. Eastleigh added their second goal straight away on seven minutes. The

2nd XI 2-0 Metropolitan Police Res.

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Eastleigh 2nd XI 2-0 Metropolitan Res. Suburban Premier League TEAM: James Pullen, Jon Horner, Craig Brayham-Barrett, Justin Hall, Jason Sangha, Rickel White, Chris Mason (c), Joe Sheppard, Nick Watt, Tom Price, Ashan Holgate. SUBS: Scott Waters (on for Price 77), Joe Maxwell (on for White 88) Match Report by Jamie Montigue Click here for full size match photos Last weeks away game with Wealdstone was postponed due to an unplayable pitch - not that Eastleigh's young reserve stars let this be a disruption as they maintained an incredible run which has seen them unbeaten in seven consecutive games. Two of Ian Baird's transfer listed players from the first team squad, goalkeeper James Pullen and striker Ashan Holgate, were 'demoted' so to speak as they turned out for the second string. It was the visitors who started the game the brightest having a couple of early chances, one which saw a half volley fired narrowly wide of Pullen's goal. Joe Sheppard provided Eastlei

Baird raids Palace for goalkeeping star

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- By Wendy Gee Eastleigh's transfer-listed goalkeeper James Pullen looks set to be dropped for tommorow's Blue Square South trip to Bognor Regis Town following the arrival of David Wilkinson from Crystal Palace. Wilkinson is joining the Spitfires on loan for the rest of the season as Baird seeks to strengthen any weak links in the side that could ruin their goal of reaching the play-offs. "There are one or two positions we need to improve because people are not playing particularly well at the moment." said Baird. "From what I saw, Jamie Pullen was one of the best keepers in the league last season but, for me, he hasn't played the same since I've been here. "He's had a niggling injury, which hasn't helped, and goalkeeping is very much a position of confidence. If something goes against you, it invariably ends up with a goal." During Pullen's time out injured, young Ross Kitteridge filled in on work experience from Reading but, at

Oliver move permanent, KES on loan to Sutton

Two Eastleigh players have moved on to pastures new, it can be revealed. Defenders Ian Oliver and Karim El-Salahi have signed for Farnborough on a permanent deal and Sutton United on a loan respectively. Below are the reports confirming these stories. http://www.farnboroughfc.co.uk/ "Ian Oliver has today completed a permanent transfer from Eastleigh. Left Back Oliver signed on an initial three month loan deal in October, and to date has made fifteen appearances, scoring once, a memorable strike against title rivals Fleet Town on Boxing Day. Oliver joined Eastleigh in July 2005 from Swindon Town and made 86 appearances for the Blue Square South club, scoring twice. Previously the 22 year old defender had played for Reading and AFC Bournemouth. Farnborough Manager Andy Clement was pleased to have secured Oliver on a more permanent basis, commenting ““Oli” has done ever so well for us during his loan spell, he shows maturity beyond his years and I believe we are still yet to see the

Saints deserve point in poor home display

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EASTLEIGH v ST. ALBANS SATURDAY 19th JANUARY 2008 Blue Square South A dismal display from Eastleigh saw lowly St. Albans celebrate a well-deserved away point at the Silverlake Stadium. After going down 2-1 to Crawley Town last weekend in the FA Trophy, things did not go as well as can be expected for Eastleigh when a St. Albans side, struggling at the foot of the Blue Square South arrived looking to end a run of three straight defeats. Eastleigh were without Andy Harris who was serving a one-match ban having picked up five yellow cards. The captain’s armband was therefore handed to Anthony Riviere. Chris Piper, who scored Eastleigh’s only goal last Saturday, was recalled to the starting eleven at the expense of Peter Adeniyi. There was also a starting place for Matt Hann who lined up against his former club. The game itself was bleak, lacking the same sort entertainment we have seen in Eastleigh’s two previous games in the league that had seen an incredible tally of fifteen goals. A

Jordan move back on?

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Havant and Waterlooville's heroic FA Cup winning performance in their 4-2 replay win over League One leaders Swansea on Wednesday night has landed the Westleigh Park side a dream date with Liverpool at Anfield in the next round, not to mention a major cash windfall of anywhere up to £900,000. One man who could be set to miss this "once in a lifetime game" is long term Spitfires target, Tom Jordan. The centre half, son of Portsmouth coach Joe, had been left out of Shaun Gale's squad for sometime since making it publicly known that he would like to link up with former boss Ian Baird. Tom just recently had found a way back into the Havant and Waterlooville team owing to a defensive injury crisis and scored two goals in his comeback game against St. Albans City before netting the fourth in the midweek cup upset but has once again stated where he would like to see his immediate future lie. Jordan: "I have said to the guys it would be double standards of me to say one

Crawley Town 2-1 Eastleigh - FA Trophy

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Crawley Town 2 Eastleigh 1 FA Trophy - 2nd Round Proper Match Report by Ray Murphy Aspirations for Eastleigh to progress the farthest that they have ever reached in the F A Challenge Trophy, were brought to an abrupt end by Blue Square Premier Division side Crawley Town on Saturday. Crawley would be pushing for a promotion place stronger than currently shown in the league table having had a six point deduction earlier this season which has left them ground to make up but still lie in a healthy fourteenth spot. Again the Eastleigh side were stripped through injury, Ashan Holgate returned to the side, as did Warren Goodhind and James Pullen whilst Grays Athletic had given permission for loanee Mark Marshall to play for Eastleigh in the competition. The first fifteen minutes saw Eastleigh in disarray. The first Crawley goal arrived after only seven minutes. Paul Watson’s cross saw Pullen overstretching only to palm the ball down to allow Dannie Bulman to roll the ball back into an ungu

Polished performance maintains unbeaten run

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Eastleigh 2nd XI 2-0 Sutton United Res. Suburban Premier League TEAM: Craig Lisher, Jon Horner, James Screen, Justin Hall, Jason Sangha, Chris Mason (c), Adam Roberts, Richard Bridle, Joe Maxwell, Aaron Milburn, Nick Watt. SUBS: Joe Sheppard (on for Bridle 53), Scott Waters (on for Maxwell 55), Jamie Moth (on for Milburn 58) Match Report by Jamie Montigue Click here for match photos Having started the new year with a win last weekend with a 2-1 scoreline over East Grinstead Town away from home, Eastleigh's reserves kept up their 100% record for 2008 with a further victory this afternoon at the Silverlake Stadium. From the very beginning the Spitfires youngsters continued where they left off the following week and inside the opening minute forced a corner kick. Nick Watt pressurised the Sutton goalkeeper charging down his kick, which led to Joe Maxwell followed up with a header that took a slight deflection. Craig Lisher, making his home league debut for the second team was given

Blue Square Player of the Month winners - December

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Blue Square Announce “Player of the Month” Winners for December Exeter City striker Jamie Mackie has topped the fans poll to be the Blue Square Premier “Player of the Month” for December. Mackie polled a record number of votes from fans visiting the Blue Square football website. The former MK Dons forward was in sensational form during the month, scoring four goals in three Blue Square Premier games. The highlight of his month was the brace against local rivals Torquay United on Boxing Day, a game which City won 4-3. The Grecians benefited from Mackie’s goals and assists as they climbed the Blue Square Premier table to enhance their play-off hopes. The award in the Blue Square North goes to Jamie Price of Worcester City. The midfielder was instrumental in City’s rise up the Blue Square North table after a fantastic December. The award makes a nice double for Price who also scooped the Worcester fans award for the period. Basingstoke Town’s Tyron Smith wins the Blue Square South awar

Four put on transfer list

The following was posted on the Eastleigh messageboard this afternoon by Director of Football Dave Malone. "Manager Ian Baird has placed on the 'Available For Transfer List' the following players: James Pullen Chris Collins Karim El Salahi Ashan Holgate The Club has invited enquiries for all of the above, with a view to establishing a squad of players that will take us forward for the remainder of this season, and next."

Eastleigh 4-4 Bath City

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EASTLEIGH v BATH CITY SATURDAY 5th JANUARY 2008 Blue Square South By Jamie Montigue For the neutral, this top of the table clash could not have been any better; boasting eight goals, a sending off, two penalty kicks, a hattrick and an unlikely comeback from the 10 men of visiting Bath City. Eastleigh though have every reason to be disappointed in coming out with just a point thanks to one abysmal decision two minutes from time that ultimately robbed them of a second successive victory. Naming an unchanged side from the starting eleven who won an equally enthralling goal-fest on New Years Day (4-3 away to Basingstoke Town), the Spitfires introduced a new hero to their home fans in the form of Mark Marshall who made his home debut. Following the departure of Scannell to Southend United, Marshall has come in on an initial one month’s loan from Grays and having made an instant impact with the fourth goal in midweek, made a grand entrance with two excellent goals and a solid performance

Eastleigh Ladies v Hayling Island Ladies - Sunday 6th Jan at the Silverlake Stadium

Come along and support our very successful Eastleigh Ladies team who are flying high at the top of the Hampshire Women's League Divison 2 table. This weekend on Sunday 6th January they take on Hayling Island at the Silverlake Stadium, 2pm kick off - so why not come down and offer your support?

December Manager of the Month Awards

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Blue Square Announce “Manager of the Month” Winners for December Newly appointed York City boss Colin Walker has won the Blue Square Premier “Manager of the Month” award for December. Walker was appointed caretaker-manager during November, and duly accepted a permanent role after an impressive start, which has seen his side remain unbeaten. During the month The Minstermen gained ten points from four league games, registering three victories and a draw. City also progressed to the next round of both non-league cup competitions and find themselves within touching distance of the play-off positions in the Blue Square Premier table. Rotherham born Walker made 34 appearances for his adopted country New Zealand during a playing career which also saw him play for Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday amongst others. In the Blue Square South the award goes to Hampton & Richmond Borough manager Alan Devonshire. The former West Ham star led his team to three wins and two draws in a month whi

Eastleigh open New Year with thrilling win over Dragons

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Basingstoke Town 3 Eastleigh 4 Match Report by Ray Murphy Another fine away Eastleigh performance allowing them to edge this seven-goal thriller. With Damian Scannell having departed manager Ian Baird gave a debut to loan signing Mark Marshall a pacy wideman from Conference National side Grays Athletic, whom as well as providing an afternoon of exciting wing play also claimed the winning goal out of the contest. Gareth Howells also returned to the goalkeeping position. Eastleigh had already had one effort stopped by Basingstoke goalkeeper Chris Tardif who has played one game for Eastleigh earlier this season, when Andy Harris’ free kick went straight into the custodian’s midriff, before they went ahead after seven minutes. David Hughes lofted through ball into the area saw Paul Sales get in behind his defender before firing a low shot past Tardif. Basingstoke’s response was immediate a long Tardif clearance was collected by David Tarpey but his effort was pushed away by Howe