Second-best Eastleigh exit another cup
EASTLEIGH v BASHLEY
SATURDAY 22nd NOVEMBER 2008
FA Challenge Trophy 3rd Round
By Jamie Montigue
Eastleigh exit yet another cup competition as they fell dismally at home this afternoon to Southern Premier League side Bashley.
Falling behind after just seven minutes, Eastleigh got off to a horrid start as visiting Bashley opened the scoring in this FA Trophy cup tie.
After such a good away win in the league last weekend with a 1-4 win over Maidenhead United, surely another cup exit could not be on the cards this afternoon, could it? What a difference a week makes it football.
Bashley certainly seemed to be more determined and once they went ahead, not once did they look like giving it up, neither did Eastleigh threaten to put up a fight to get back on level terms. The visitors were here for nothing less than a win as their early intentions proved.
Throughout a dismal first half Eastleigh had just two clear-cut chances but could not make the most of either. The longer the half wore on, the more it was looking to be Bashley's day.
Seconds into the game, a long ball forward from skipper Andy Harris fell kindly for Anthony Riviere who forced an early corner. Tony Taggart delivered with his left peg from the near side and struck the upright directly from his flag kick.
In the second minute of the game, Andy Forbes sliced his volleyed clearance back out to James Rowe who whipped in a dangerous delivery. Dave Middleton arrived at the back post and flashed his header wide of goal as Eastleigh were given an early warning sign of what was to come.
Then with only seven minutes played, the lively Richard Gillespie fed the ball through to JAMES ROWE out on the right who got the better of Steve Clark and finished emphatically past a helpless Jason Matthews with Ian Baird's Spitfires looking shell-shocked.
The first of only two clear opportunities for the hosts fell to Matt Groves and was arguably the easier of the two. A defensive error by Middleton inside the penalty area gifted the ball straight to Groves, who from just six yards placed a weak shot straight at a thankful goalkeeper, David Elm.
Having missed a golden chance to make it 1-1, Eastleigh's second big opening also came inside the opening twenty minutes. Matt Bodkin attacked full back and former Spitfire Peter Castle, where he then put a lovely ball in across the face of goal. Elm, the Bashley stopper, dropped the ball at his near post right on to the head of Andy Forbes. Only David Elm will know how he managed to recover and get across his goal to keep out Forbes' header from a mere two yards.
Better football from Eastleigh saw a deep ball in from Andy Harris dummied well by Groves for his striker partner Forbes who won a corner. Tony Taggart's delivery found Groves with his back to goal from close range, where the former Dorchester Town forward could only fire wide on the turn.
Meanwhile, Richard Gillespie who scored twice in the last round to ensure victory and set up today's local Hampshire Derby, continued to impress as he cut in from the left and fired a low shot towards goal that brushed the side netting at Matthews' near post.
Eastleigh showed some promise but failed to deliver in the final third. Matt Bodkin carried the ball a long way on the counter attack as he left his marker for dead. Neat interplay from Peter Adeniyi saw the ball worked into Forbes who in turn set up Riviere. An excellent parry from Elm kept out Riviere's low attempt.
With 31 minutes played, Bashley doubled their lead through DAVE ALLEN. A corner kick on the far side was turned home by the tall front man with a great header, though Eastleigh's marking was extremely questionable.
From here on it was all about whether Eastleigh could respond or not, and whether they were up for the fight. Sadly the answer to both of the questions were a resounding no.
Bashley threatened to make it 3-0 just before half time when Rowe angled in a dangerous free kick from the left that narrowly evaded three or four players in gold shirts running in free at the back post.
The second half was not much better and in all honesty Bashley deserved to go on and win by three or four goals, which they would have were it not for a string of fine saves from an inspired Jason Matthews.
Barely a minute in, Andy Harris was shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Gillespie towards the corner flag.
It was not long before Matthews was called into action as Peter Castle's diving header was denied by a splendid save from Matthews as Charlie Knight's cross sat up kindly.
Richard Gillespie fed the ball through to Dave Allen moments later though the half volley was harmless.
In the 49th minute, Eastleigh came close but again lacked a bit of composure in front of goal. Matt Groves pulled the ball back to the penalty spot where Peter Adeniyi ran in and pulled the trigger only to be thwarted by Elm who made a great stop with his legs.
Eastleigh turned to Jamie Brown seven minutes into the second half as he was sent on in place of Matt Groves.
Other than a half chance from Andy Forbes who glanced a header wide of goal from a left wing cross, there was very little promise or penetration as Bashley more than held their own.
Three minutes shy of the hour, Matt Parnell forced a delightful one-handed save out of Matthews. Once again the marking was poor as Rowe's free kick picked out the centre back with ease. It could quite easily have been the third goal.
Taggart hit a first time shot on the up from a quick throw by Harris and lay off by Adeniyi, but with the keeper motionless, the decent attempt was watched safely wide of the mark.
Tireless running from Gillespie caused many problems for Eastleigh and on one such occasion, the forward left Tom Jordan for dead with great pace before getting to the byline and sending in a great ball with his left foot. Only needing a finishing touch, Eastleigh were lucky to survive.
Trevor Challis was on the pitch a bare three minutes when he was hit by a dreadful challenge by Peter Castle. Castle dived into the tackle with both feet of the ground and caught the left back horrendously high up the leg and getting nowhere near the ball. Referee Carl Brook deemed the challenge worthy of a yellow card only, but in my opinion Castle could count himself very fortunate to still be on the pitch.
A very sad sight indeed saw Challis stretchered off the pitch. Baird had to shuffle things once more as Aaron Martin entered the fray coming on to replace the injured defender.
Matthews made yet another blinding save from a Gillespie header fifteen minutes from time and Eastleigh by now had run out of ideas in this flat, bleak and ultimately disappointing performance.
In to the final ten minutes Jamie Brown's speculative half volley swerved just wide from distance, before Eastleigh's best attempt of the half saw Andy Forbes go extremely close when played in by Adeniyi. The goal-getter who had four goals in two games coming into today's cup tie, got the ball on to his right foot and hit a fine strike that whistled only an inch over the cross bar.
Eastleigh's final attempt saw Forbes kept out once more from a Harris corner, with Riviere's follow up attempt driven wildly and comfortably off target.
Two minutes from time, Matt Finlay rolled the ball across the edge of the 18-yard box for Justin Keeler who left fly with a powerful effort that was met by a terrific acrobatic save from Matthews, who tipped over.
Bashley continued their pressure on Eastleigh's goal and Matthews was there again to push the ball away from danger direct from a corner kick.
The visitors played for time throughout the duration of injury time but in reality Eastleigh were well-beaten and second best to everything as they exited another cup competition in the opening stages.
Losing in the manner in which Eastleigh did, a 2-0 defeat at home to a lower leagued side so soon after such a big win against Maidenhead United in the league last week was extremely frustrating for all. Eastleigh fans will certainly be hoping that the boys are saving their efforts for the league starting with another two tough games this week to both Team Bath in midweek and the 'big one' against rivals Havant and Waterlooville at home next Saturday.
SATURDAY 22nd NOVEMBER 2008
FA Challenge Trophy 3rd Round
By Jamie Montigue
Eastleigh exit yet another cup competition as they fell dismally at home this afternoon to Southern Premier League side Bashley.
Falling behind after just seven minutes, Eastleigh got off to a horrid start as visiting Bashley opened the scoring in this FA Trophy cup tie.
After such a good away win in the league last weekend with a 1-4 win over Maidenhead United, surely another cup exit could not be on the cards this afternoon, could it? What a difference a week makes it football.
Bashley certainly seemed to be more determined and once they went ahead, not once did they look like giving it up, neither did Eastleigh threaten to put up a fight to get back on level terms. The visitors were here for nothing less than a win as their early intentions proved.
Throughout a dismal first half Eastleigh had just two clear-cut chances but could not make the most of either. The longer the half wore on, the more it was looking to be Bashley's day.
Seconds into the game, a long ball forward from skipper Andy Harris fell kindly for Anthony Riviere who forced an early corner. Tony Taggart delivered with his left peg from the near side and struck the upright directly from his flag kick.
In the second minute of the game, Andy Forbes sliced his volleyed clearance back out to James Rowe who whipped in a dangerous delivery. Dave Middleton arrived at the back post and flashed his header wide of goal as Eastleigh were given an early warning sign of what was to come.
Then with only seven minutes played, the lively Richard Gillespie fed the ball through to JAMES ROWE out on the right who got the better of Steve Clark and finished emphatically past a helpless Jason Matthews with Ian Baird's Spitfires looking shell-shocked.
The first of only two clear opportunities for the hosts fell to Matt Groves and was arguably the easier of the two. A defensive error by Middleton inside the penalty area gifted the ball straight to Groves, who from just six yards placed a weak shot straight at a thankful goalkeeper, David Elm.
Having missed a golden chance to make it 1-1, Eastleigh's second big opening also came inside the opening twenty minutes. Matt Bodkin attacked full back and former Spitfire Peter Castle, where he then put a lovely ball in across the face of goal. Elm, the Bashley stopper, dropped the ball at his near post right on to the head of Andy Forbes. Only David Elm will know how he managed to recover and get across his goal to keep out Forbes' header from a mere two yards.
Better football from Eastleigh saw a deep ball in from Andy Harris dummied well by Groves for his striker partner Forbes who won a corner. Tony Taggart's delivery found Groves with his back to goal from close range, where the former Dorchester Town forward could only fire wide on the turn.
Meanwhile, Richard Gillespie who scored twice in the last round to ensure victory and set up today's local Hampshire Derby, continued to impress as he cut in from the left and fired a low shot towards goal that brushed the side netting at Matthews' near post.
Eastleigh showed some promise but failed to deliver in the final third. Matt Bodkin carried the ball a long way on the counter attack as he left his marker for dead. Neat interplay from Peter Adeniyi saw the ball worked into Forbes who in turn set up Riviere. An excellent parry from Elm kept out Riviere's low attempt.
With 31 minutes played, Bashley doubled their lead through DAVE ALLEN. A corner kick on the far side was turned home by the tall front man with a great header, though Eastleigh's marking was extremely questionable.
From here on it was all about whether Eastleigh could respond or not, and whether they were up for the fight. Sadly the answer to both of the questions were a resounding no.
Bashley threatened to make it 3-0 just before half time when Rowe angled in a dangerous free kick from the left that narrowly evaded three or four players in gold shirts running in free at the back post.
HALF TIME: Eastleigh 0-2 Bashley
The second half was not much better and in all honesty Bashley deserved to go on and win by three or four goals, which they would have were it not for a string of fine saves from an inspired Jason Matthews.
Barely a minute in, Andy Harris was shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Gillespie towards the corner flag.
It was not long before Matthews was called into action as Peter Castle's diving header was denied by a splendid save from Matthews as Charlie Knight's cross sat up kindly.
Richard Gillespie fed the ball through to Dave Allen moments later though the half volley was harmless.
In the 49th minute, Eastleigh came close but again lacked a bit of composure in front of goal. Matt Groves pulled the ball back to the penalty spot where Peter Adeniyi ran in and pulled the trigger only to be thwarted by Elm who made a great stop with his legs.
Eastleigh turned to Jamie Brown seven minutes into the second half as he was sent on in place of Matt Groves.
Other than a half chance from Andy Forbes who glanced a header wide of goal from a left wing cross, there was very little promise or penetration as Bashley more than held their own.
Three minutes shy of the hour, Matt Parnell forced a delightful one-handed save out of Matthews. Once again the marking was poor as Rowe's free kick picked out the centre back with ease. It could quite easily have been the third goal.
Taggart hit a first time shot on the up from a quick throw by Harris and lay off by Adeniyi, but with the keeper motionless, the decent attempt was watched safely wide of the mark.
Tireless running from Gillespie caused many problems for Eastleigh and on one such occasion, the forward left Tom Jordan for dead with great pace before getting to the byline and sending in a great ball with his left foot. Only needing a finishing touch, Eastleigh were lucky to survive.
Trevor Challis was on the pitch a bare three minutes when he was hit by a dreadful challenge by Peter Castle. Castle dived into the tackle with both feet of the ground and caught the left back horrendously high up the leg and getting nowhere near the ball. Referee Carl Brook deemed the challenge worthy of a yellow card only, but in my opinion Castle could count himself very fortunate to still be on the pitch.
A very sad sight indeed saw Challis stretchered off the pitch. Baird had to shuffle things once more as Aaron Martin entered the fray coming on to replace the injured defender.
Matthews made yet another blinding save from a Gillespie header fifteen minutes from time and Eastleigh by now had run out of ideas in this flat, bleak and ultimately disappointing performance.
In to the final ten minutes Jamie Brown's speculative half volley swerved just wide from distance, before Eastleigh's best attempt of the half saw Andy Forbes go extremely close when played in by Adeniyi. The goal-getter who had four goals in two games coming into today's cup tie, got the ball on to his right foot and hit a fine strike that whistled only an inch over the cross bar.
Eastleigh's final attempt saw Forbes kept out once more from a Harris corner, with Riviere's follow up attempt driven wildly and comfortably off target.
Two minutes from time, Matt Finlay rolled the ball across the edge of the 18-yard box for Justin Keeler who left fly with a powerful effort that was met by a terrific acrobatic save from Matthews, who tipped over.
Bashley continued their pressure on Eastleigh's goal and Matthews was there again to push the ball away from danger direct from a corner kick.
The visitors played for time throughout the duration of injury time but in reality Eastleigh were well-beaten and second best to everything as they exited another cup competition in the opening stages.
Losing in the manner in which Eastleigh did, a 2-0 defeat at home to a lower leagued side so soon after such a big win against Maidenhead United in the league last week was extremely frustrating for all. Eastleigh fans will certainly be hoping that the boys are saving their efforts for the league starting with another two tough games this week to both Team Bath in midweek and the 'big one' against rivals Havant and Waterlooville at home next Saturday.
FULL TIME: Eastleigh 0-2 Bashley
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