Clinical Spitfires shoot down the Wings

EASTLEIGH v WELLING UNITED



SATURDAY 13th SEPTEMBER 2008
Blue Square South

By Jamie Montigue

Welling sat one point behind Eastleigh in the table going into this game as the Spitfires sought out their third win in a week.

The Spitfires kept their impressive streak of home wins, and their 100% record at the Silverlake Stadium firmly in place running out 4-2 winners over Welling United.

MATT BODKIN's 11th minute strike from the edge of the area set the ball rolling for Ian Baird's men, this the winger's first goal for the club since joining on loan from Grays Athletic. Andy Harris' corner came all the way out to the far side for Bodkin, who hit it sweetly leaving goalkeeper Jamie Turner motionless.

The Wings responded just five minutes later as a chink in the armour of the Eastleigh defence was exposed by a clever pass by Richard Stevens. Playing a through ball with a reverse pass, Stevens found JOE HEALY in space in the penalty area, and with just Matthews to beat, the striker made no mistake casually lifting the ball over the advancing keeper from close range for the equalising goal, despite suspicions of offside.

A minute later, Harris sent in a good cross from the right flank finding Jamie Brown in the centre who spun well but turned his shot high over the cross bar.

Matt Bodkin was looking lively with positive runs forward from midfield, meanwhile a Tom Jordan glancing header posed no real problems for Turner midway through the half.

Eastleigh's intricate passing in the final third was highly impressive and played a major factor in the next two goals, which were by far the best moves of the game.

MATT GROVES combined well with the architect Anthony Riviere, to fire the Spitfires back in front with a quality strike across goal on 31 minutes.

The Spitfires built on this foundation gaining a two-goal cushion five minutes before the break. MATT BODKIN claimed his second of the afternoon from a wonderfully-crafted move. Groves turned provider this time flicking the ball round the corner, past his marker to put Riviere through on goal and into the penalty area. The midfielder had the presence of mind to play a square ball across goal unselfishly, leaving Bodkin with the simple task of slotting home for 3-1.

At the opposite end, the visitors were rewarded a free kick as Trevor Challis took down former Spitfire, Ellis Green, just outside the penalty area. Jason Matthews made a great one-handed punch to keep out the powerfully struck shot by Ryan Martin and keep the visitors at bay.

Running the line superbly well, Matt Groves continued his master class in playing the centre forward role as he charged down a defender, a lost cause if you like, to win the ball high up the park and presenting himself with a chance on goal. Groves brought the ball forward and tried to lob the keeper but was unfortunate to see his effort go over the cross bar.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 3-1 Welling United

Into the second half Eastleigh were looking even more comfortable with a fourth goal, as early as the 52nd minute. MATT GROVES wrong-footed Turner, deflecting a shot by Tony Taggart past the keeper and into the net to bag his second goal of the game and his fifth of the season.

Jason Matthews pulled off a string of good saves before Welling's Orlando Smith hit the underside of the bar with a long-range effort, having beaten both Tom Jordan and Luke Byles. This, the closest Welling had come to pulling a goal back, since their equalising goal early in the first half.

Matthews kept out Healy at his near post before saving a speculative effort from Ryan Johnson soon after.

Jamie Brown, dubbed the 'Bionic Man' by manager Ian Baird, made way for James Baker on the hour.

Tony Taggart then struck a powerful free kick a mere inches over the target.

Super-sub Adam Roberts came on for two-goal Matt Bodkin with twenty minutes remaining and forced a save out of Turner immediately having been played in by Taggart.

The Wings had the ball in the back of the net in the 77th minute after great skill from Ellis Green, though it was ruled out for offside.

United did eventually get a second goal, but it was no more than a consolation. It came through former Eastleigh reserves left-back CRAIG BRAHAM-BARRETT who pounced in the penalty area to slam the ball past Matthews, again following positive wing play from Green who had attacked the full back to send a good delivery across. Andy Harris kept out the initial attempt with an excellent sliding challenge, but there was no stopping the rebound.

Eastleigh were given a let off as the game came to a close. A rare mistake from Harris could have been costly as the ball was allowed to run through to Healy who could not believe how much time and space he was given. Though the opportunity was glorious, Welling's goalscorer from the first half made a hash of it and skied the ball harmlessly over.

Six minutes from time, David Hughes replaced the superb Matt Groves, who deservedly came off to an ovation.

The visitors ended the half well, though Eastleigh's clinical finishing had already done the damage and secured the points.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 4–2 Welling United