Spitfires seal cup win with late Riviere goal

EASTLEIGH v FARNBOROUGH



SATURDAY 29th SEPTEMBER 2008
FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

By Jamie Montigue

Eastleigh eventually saw off high-flying BGB Premier side Farnborough courtesy of an 85th minute goal from Anthony Riviere in this FA Cup tie.

Former Spitfires' Darren Wheeler and Ian Oliver both made a return to the Silverlake Stadium this afternoon for Francis Vines' side, whilst Eastleigh's fans favourite Andy Forbes continued his recovery from a long injury lay-off coming off the bench in the second half.

Ian Baird made just one change to the starting eleven that drew 1-1 at Bath City's Twerton Park last weekend as James Baker came into the starting line up for Jamie Brown, starting along side Matt Groves in attack.

The hosts produced the first attempt after just three minutes. A splendid pass out to the left from Tony Taggart picked out Matt Bodkin who cut back on to his right foot before finding Matt Groves with a fine delivery. Groves attacked the ball well and did everything right with the downward header but was unfortunate to see the effort fall narrowly wide of the upright.

Boro' skipper Steve Laidler sliced a shot from 18-yards towards goal, though Jason Matthews in the Eastleigh goal merely had to watch the ball fly safely over the cross bar in the sixth minute.

A moment later, the Spitfires had a corner on the near side which was punched away by the keeper, Lyall Beazley, but only as far as Riviere who was lurking on the edge of the penalty area. The former Fisher Athletic midfielder sent the ball back into the box where Warren Goodhind then picked up on the loose ball only to shoot tamely on the turn.

Still inside the opening quarter of an hour, Eastleigh were denied following good work from Groves whose great ball back to find Taggart created the opportunity when there was little on. Taggart hit the ball well first time with a low drive and was thwarted by a good save by Beazley. James Baker was in close attention following in on goal, but Beazley had recovered just in time to smother the ball at the second attempt.

A piece of individual brilliance from Matt Bodkin saw the on-loan Grays Athletic winger display some trickery and a few step-overs to leave his marker wrong-footed and at the same time creating a yard of space to whip the ball across. This is exactly what he did and Bodkin was very unlucky as the curling ball in to the back post evaded everyone and turned out to be a pretty decent attempt at goal that narrowly missed the target.

Peter Adeniyi put in a whole-hearted performance in the midfield and came close to finding the net as he worked the ball well showing quick feet in front of goal to side-step an opponent before curling a shot at goal that proved to be comfortable for the goalkeeper.

With twenty minutes played, Michael Charles played a good ball in to find the run of Rob Saunders to the left of goal, who in turn forced a save, but couldn't beat Matthews at his near post.

Saunders then came the closest to a goal so far just two minutes later, his shot clipping the top of the cross bar. This let off evidently left Eastleigh relieved and had the effort been just an inch lower the Spitfires would have found themselves a goal behind.

Farnborough made another impressive attacking move with the first half coming to a close. Michael Charles again played a clever through ball to find Saunders who was once more denied by Matthews.

It was Eastleigh however who ended the half the stronger side.

A low ball in from Taggart was well held up by Baker in front of goal. Riviere took over only to have his shot charged down and deflected for a corner.

The Spitfires could and probably should have taken advantage of a goalkeeping error with four minutes of the half to play. Beazley mis-placed his throw horribly short of it's intended outlet, his right back, instead it fell straight to Bodkin. Twenty-yards from goal and with the keeper out of position, Bodkin opted to try and play the ball in for Groves to his left instead of going for goal, though unfortunately the idea didn't pay off as Groves didn't read the pass and wasn't quite on the same wavelength.

On the stroke of half time, Beazley spilled the ball from a Bodkin corner where Warren Goodhind then laid it back to Taggart. The former Havant & Waterlooville FA Cup hero, had a good chance but blazed high - the miscued strike flying harmlessly over the cross bar.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 0-0 Farnborough

Three minutes into the second half, Farnborough worked the ball incredibly well with Wheeler bringing the ball forward and Oliver then crossing the ball into the feet of Marcus Richardson. The target man held off a challenge to play it back to Rob Saunders when a crucial interception from Luke Byles finally cut the flowing move off and cleared the imminent danger.

Jamie Brown, who scored last Saturday with a headed goal, was introduced in the 50th minute as he replaced James Baker.

Five minutes later, Michael Charles slid in fairly with Matthews, a ball that he was fully entitled to go for, and came out with possession to present the ex-Basingstoke Town player with a glorious chance. Charles chipped the ball over Matthews and his effort was heading for goal though thankfully for Eastleigh, Luke Byles covered his keeper extremely well to head the ball off the goal line and avert the threat of going a goal behind.

Making an extremely warm welcome back to first team action for the first time since the end of last season, was the long-awaited arrival of Andy Forbes for his first appearance of the campaign. The golden goal scorer put a smile on every Eastleigh fans face to see him back after his injury troubles as he came off the bench just past the hour mark.

The combination of Charles and Saunders for the visitors seemed to be a recurring theme throughout the tie and on 68 minutes the pair again posed a problem or two for the Eastleigh back line. Charles played the ball across to find Saunders, who had burst into the penalty area, and so nearly caught out Matthews trying to place the ball towards the bottom corner. Eastleigh's first choice stopper got down well to keep it out and concede a corner kick.

Eastleigh seemed to step up a gear as they pushed that much more to try and find the goal that would ultimately see them through to the next round.

They were led superbly by Jamie Brown in attack, who had made a significant impact since his introduction, as well as the fine defending from both Luke Byles and Warren Goodhind at the heart of the back four - when they were called upon they dealt with everything without fail.

Taggart went for goal with his left foot, cutting in from the right hand side having been fed the ball from Bodkin. Farnborough cut the ball out and eventually cleared the danger with white shirts ready and waiting in front of goal should it have dropped kindly.

Thirteen minutes from time, Matt Bodkin made way for Adam Roberts. Taz wasted little time in getting involved as he won the ball high up the park in a dangerous position where he then sent an excellent cross to the back post, which sadly proved to be just a little too high for Taggart.

The lionheart, Jamie Brown, hit a speculative effort from 25-yards and was not at all far away with the dipping strike.

Eastleigh's late pressure finally paid off. Ian Baird's fortress, that is the Silverlake Stadium, saw yet another Eastleigh win and the 100 per cent home record staying strong as ANTHONY RIVIERE slid in at the back post five minutes from time. Jamie Brown headed a cross from Taggart perfectly down into the six yard box, inviting Riviere to take advantage and find the net which he did without hesitation to break the deadlock and put Eastleigh's name in the hat for the 3rd Qualifying Round draw.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 1-0 Farnborough