Reserves come from two behind to win in game of two halves

Eastleigh Res. 3-2 AFC Wimbledon Res.
Suburban Premier League

TEAM: Jon Webb, James Powell, Niall Bryant, Tom Nicholas, Jack Dukes, Nick Watt, Chris Mason (c), Tom O'Dell, Jeff Cavey, Brett Williams, Scott Waters.

Subs: Arron Milburn (on for O'Dell 45), Joe Crook (on for Cavey 65), Scott Gilham (on for Waters 81).

By Jamie Montigue

Notching up their third successive league win in an unbeaten run that stretches back ten games to August, Eastleigh's reserve side overcame a 2-0 half time deficit to run out 3-2 winners.

This latest fantastic result sees Paul Wiltshire and Wayne Mew's youthful side sit proudly at the top of the Suburban Premier Division.

AFC Wimbledon took a blistering lead with just four minutes on the clock. A stunning volley from the edge of the penalty area sailed past the helpless Jon Webb and into the top corner.

Brett Williams was back at the Silverlake Stadium having returned to the club following a spell with Winchester City and put in an impressive performance.

Williams made a good run into the visitors' box down the right and crossed for Scott Waters who could not find the target from close range.

The Wombles, managed by former Premier League forward Marcus Gayle, doubled their lead in the 17th minute. A gift from the Eastleigh goalkeeper saw the ball passed straight out to AFC Wimbledon's pacy right winger who took full advantage rounding Webb and unselfishly squaring the ball across goal for it to be turned home on the goalline.

At the opposite end, Nick Watt threatened with a dangerous low cross that was ever so slightly beyond Scott Waters who slid in before the goalkeeper could soak up the pressure.

Eastleigh had by far their best chance of the game in the 23rd minute when a defence-splitting through ball from skipper Chris Mason picked out Brett Williams to precision, though the young forward squandered the opportunity ballooning his shot up and over the cross bar.

It was at around the midway point in the first half that the heavens opened and the conditions worsened with a heavy downpour of rain.

A fine passing move from the visitors perhaps should have seen Eastleigh fall further behind as the ball was worked wonderfully from the midfield down the right flank where the cross then came in, all at good tempo, only for the effort to be extremely weak and straight at Webb.

Ten minutes before the break a Williams cross saw Waters force a corner from which, Nick Watt fired a free header wide of goal.

Two minutes later the Spitfires came close once more. A patient move down the left saw Watt and Tom Nicholas exchange passes who in turn helped it on to Mason. Mason sprayed the ball across for full back James Powell to deliver the cross and Brett Williams got there ahead of the keeper with a brave header that flew comfortably over the bar but deserved so much more.

Just before the break Nick Watt won a free kick having been brought down but could only fire his shot into the wall.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh Res. 0-2 AFC Wimbledon Res.

At the start of the second half, Arron Milburn replaced Tom O'Dell as Eastleigh went for more of an attacking approach.

Paul Wiltshire and Wayne Mew's young side could not have asked for a better start to the half as they signalled their intent that they were up for the fight and that the game was far from over when SCOTT WATERS crucially pulled an early goal back in the 50th minute.

A poor back pass from the AFC Wimbledon left back was well short of the goalkeeper allowing Waters to steal in and capitalise on the mistake. Side-stepping the keeper, Waters finished well to start the revival.

Eastleigh were much the better side throughout the second half and got their just rewards with an equalising goal from BRETT WILLIAMS who rolled the ball into an empty net, to the left of goal fifteen minutes from time.

Scott Gilham came on with nine minutes remaining and helped to complete the incredible fight-back.

Eastleigh on the counter attack came so very close to finding a winner through Chris Mason, who found himself in the clear only to be denied by a fingertip save and win a corner kick.

In dramatic fashion the Spitfires sealed the game that looked lost at half time with the winner coming in the 89th minute.

Gilham's header from a corner struck the frame of the goal where the ball fell kindly for BRETT WILLIAMS. Again, the woodwork thwarted Eastleigh as Williams fired against the post this time but the rebound came straight back to him and he smashed it towards the other corner of goal to seal the win.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh Res. 3-2 AFC Wimbledon Res.