Following his release from Blue Square Premier side, Crawley Town, Kevin James beat the March transfer deadline to sign for the Spitfires. James joined the Red Devils during the January transfer window from league rivals Woking. He scored on his full debut against his former club, making in total 13 appearances for the club, scoring twice.

Profile supplied by Ray Murphy:

Kevin James – Transfer deadline day signing in March 2008 from Blue Square Premier Division Crawley Town. Has also played for Woking, Swindon Town (2 apps/0 gls), Grimsby Town (3/0), Yeovil Town (7/0), Walsall (18/4), Boston United (8/0), Nottingham Forest (8/0), Gillingham (53/4) and Charlton Athletic. Can also play as a wide man. Born in Southwark 3rd January 1980.

Kevin James in action against Havant and Waterlooville on his debut

(1st April 2008, photo kindly provided by Dave Haines)

Woodwork and Welch save Stortford

EASTLEIGH v BISHOPS STORTFORD

SATURDAY 29th MARCH 2008
Blue Square South

By Jamie Montigue

Seeking their third straight win following two excellent victories over the Easter weekend, Eastleigh named an unchanged side in this ‘six-pointer’ between two sides both chasing a playoff spot. Mark Marshall will be having his stitches taken out on Monday and should make a return in two weeks following his freak accident in the home last weekend.

The conditions were far from ideal with a heavy, water-sodden pitch but both sides gave it a good go and by and large put on an entertaining display for the crowd of 709.

Barely a minute into the game, an Andy Harris long throw on from the right was helped on superbly by the commanding figure of Ashley Vickers to the back post where Peter Adeniyi nodded wide.

Bishops Stortford meanwhile, came very close to an early goal in just the second minute attacking at good pace. A low cross from Sam Higgins on the right hand side was met by Ahmed Deen whose effort flashed across goal and narrowly off target.

Karl Murray put in an impressive display with astute passing to create several chances as well as his usual ‘battling away’ in the middle of the park. The former Grays Athletic midfielder threaded through a clever, lofted reverse pass in the 6th minute in search of Andy Forbes, though the bounce took the ball safely into the goalkeeper’s arms.

Still inside the opening ten minutes, a slip from Rob Gilman under pressure from Matt Hann led to Chris Piper forcing a corner kick, from which Hann’s superb delivery proved to be simply too good for everyone as it went all the way through and out for a goal kick.

Live wire winger Hann continued to be a menace to Gilman who he beat all ends up with his close ball control and dribbling, turning inside out before forcing an extremely good save out of the Stortford goalkeeper, Joe Welch in the 10th minute with a powerful left-footed snapshot. This Eastleigh’s best chance of a fairly even first half.

Karl Murray came close again for the hosts, with a looping header midway through the half from an excellent through ball by David Hughes.

The visitors had a couple of chances too. Notably from the Bishops captain Paul Goodacre whose header was saved by Jason Matthews at his near post midway through the half from a free kick on the near side. And, slightly later, Sosthene Yao hit a low drive towards goal from the edge of the area that the Eastleigh stopper was relieved to smother at the second attempt.

Andy Harris picked up an injury towards the end of the half which left the Eastleigh captain unable to continue and forcing Ian Baird into his first change that saw Adam Everitt come on three minutes before the break.

The former Cambridge City and Yeading left back’s first involvement was to go straight through Yao with a clumsy challenge to pick up a yellow card.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 0-0 Bishops Stortford

Eastleigh were by far the better side in the second forty-five minutes and unfortunate not to have come away with a goal to show for it. They had twelve attempts in total after the break, eight of which were on target.

A trademark creative pass from Hughes exposed the Bishops Stortford defence to the threat of Hann’s pace in the opening stages. The former St Albans man whizzed into the penalty area only to be denied by the alert goalkeeping of Joe Welch who raced off his line to snuff out the danger.

The Spitfires looked to have carved out the opening goal of the game with a wonderful move that saw Hughes get to the byline and cross to the near post following good play by Murray in the build up also. An unbelievable save from Welch thwarted Paul Sales’ close range effort somehow keeping the ball out and pushing on to his own cross bar. It was a save right out of the top drawer. Eastleigh’s co-assistant manager Paul Doswell likened the piece of brilliance to that of a very famous goalkeeper. “The save was reminiscent of Gordon Banks,” said Doswell speaking after the game.

Eastleigh were “well on top” reflected Doswell, and came just as close later in the half with the woodwork saving the Bishops once again and denying Eastleigh. This time it was an Andy Forbes header that came back off the cross bar from a David Hughes cross shortly after the hour mark. Once again, excellent football.

Wedged between the two significant Eastleigh chances, was yet more impressive attacking football from the hosts, to which Stortford seemingly didn’t have an answer to.

Paul Sales headed behind from a Hann cross, and then a free kick in an advanced position saw the ball rolled short to Murray but his strike appeared to hit a hand in the penalty area and on another day may well have been given. Hann followed up, only to drill comfortably wide from a tight angle.

Matt Hann’s performance levels were right up there again after his efforts in the Bognor game on Monday, and was unfortunate not to have got himself on the scoresheet. Cutting in from the left flank, he got on to his favoured right foot on the edge of the penalty area only to be denied by Welch.

Sam Higgins scooped high over the cross bar leaving Jason Matthews still without a save to make in the second half, in which he was a mere spectator before Eastleigh threatened once more with Ashley Vickers heading behind from an Everitt corner.

Sosthene Yao played the ball into Higgins who made a good turn, firing wide of goal in one of the Bishops rare second half chances soon after.

In the 75th minute, Hann might have won the game with a golden opportunity in front of goal, and would have had he connected properly.

Good approach from second half substitute, Warren McBean invited Paul Sales to take over and sweep agonisingly close but just an inch too high of the cross bar with his left foot moments later.

With ten minutes remaining Eastleigh still might have got the goal that they deserved but it didn’t quite come.

A neat one-two between Forbes and McBean had to be cut out by a splendid last-ditch tackle from Goodacre inside the penalty area.

McBean then had a shot deflected through to Welch in the closing stages before Ahmed Deen volleyed wide of the mark.

Martin Hayes, the Bishops Stortford manager offered his summary of the 0-0 score line, which he described as ‘a good tight game in very difficult conditions’. Hayes added “A draw was a fair result, we had chances in the first half and Eastleigh in the second”.

Eastleigh’s Doswell stated his belief that the Spitfires were unfortunate not to have come away with all three points. “We dominated the second half in possession and their keeper has kept them in it.”

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 0-0 Bishops Stortford

Match pictures by Jozef Montigue

Check out the gallery here:

http://jozefmontigue.tripod.com/eastleigh_v_bishops_stortford_pics/

Back to back Easter wins sees Spitfires back up to 3rd

EASTLEIGH v BOGNOR REGIS TOWN

MONDAY 24th MARCH 2008

Blue Square South

By Jamie Montigue

On this Easter Monday, Eastleigh came up against their ‘local’ rivals Bognor Regis Town buoyed by Saturday’s terrific 2-1 away win at Newport County.

Luke Byles returned from suspension to play alongside Ashley Vickers at the heart of the defence, filling a void left by the injured Anthony Riviere who was withdrawn just twenty three minutes into the Newport game two days ago. Mark Marshall missed out due to an accident at home that led to the electrifying winger in need of stitches to his feet. This meant there was a starting place for Matt Hann who came into the side and impressed with his pace and liveliness from the off.

Four minutes into the game, Peter Adeniyi chipped a well-placed pass into the path of Hann, who had made a positive run into the area to bring the ball down with a good early touch. However, the former St. Albans man was unable to take advantage of this early opportunity thanks to late pressure from a Bognor centre half who did just enough to put the winger off his shot.

Two early corner kicks from the hosts were far too deep to pose any problems for the Rocks, but at least Eastleigh were set out to show their early intent in keeping Bognor back in their own half.

Paul Sales and David Hughes worked an opening from a neat interchange between the pair that saw Sales bring the ball down with his chest before rolling the ball back into the path of Hughes to complete the one-two. The latter had got into a good position following the pleasing move though the end product was unfortunately not there on this occasion.

Consistent with the start to the game thus far, Eastleigh continued the pattern of attacking and piling on the early pressure as Sales’ drop-down header for Karl Murray was fired goalwards by a powerfully struck volley that ricocheted off Peter Adeniyi and may well have been heading in. This latest chance coming with just ten minutes on the clock.

Michael Birmingham’s Bognor were given very little time on the ball due to constant closing down high up the park from Eastleigh and as a direct result, the visitors were mere spectators as Eastleigh continued to dominate the first quarter of the encounter.

On twenty minutes, Matt Hann produced a decent save out of Craig Stoner as he cut in from the left flank before firing a well-driven strike with his right foot only for the Bognor keeper to watch the ball safely into his arms.

Centre half Ashley Vickers, came extremely close with two headers within a minute of each other. The first came from Andy Harris’ sweeping cross from the right back position that sat up nicely for the veteran defender and former Weymouth captain to nod a free header inches wide of goal. The effort took a slight deflection on the way meaning a corner kick for Eastleigh. From it, Matt Hann received the ball short but was caught by a mistimed challenge from Scott Chamberlain to win a free kick. Hughes floated the ball across goal and into the penalty area where Vickers popped up, attacking the delivery well, narrowly missing the target with another good header that came agonisingly close once more.

Bognor’s first chance did not come until the 26th minute when Mark Knee failed to get hold of his shot, providing Jason Matthews with a comfortable save low down. The new number one quickly got the ball back up the field with superb distribution for Andy Forbes to bring down and feed through for his strike partner, Paul Sales. The in-form goalscoring machine lost his footing and nothing came of it, despite the Bognor defence being cut right open so simply from two passes.

Eastleigh still had the ascendancy long into the half as Sales tried to turn Peter Adeniyi’s cross home with an attempted overhead kick that was blocked on the goalline in the 32nd minute. The ball was still not cleared as Sales tried to hook the ball towards goal whilst on the floor before the danger was eventually averted.

Just before the break Adeniyi came close with a header that flashed right across the face of goal following an excellent ball in from the right.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 0-0 Bognor Regis Town

A minute into the second half, the visitors threatened first as Mark Knee combined with Scott Harris, whose curling attempt from the edge of the penalty area came close, but slightly off target.

Bognor were already showing signs of looking like a different side and this was confirmed when they so nearly made Eastleigh pay for a moments lapse in concentration in the back line. Two Rocks players were played on side and had got in behind the Spitfires defence until Jason Matthews came to his side’s aid, rushing from his goal to intervene with a brave header at the edge of his eighteen-yard box. The loose ball fell to former Eastleigh player Alex Haddow who rifled the ball harmlessly over the top with the goal at his mercy.

At the opposite end, Eastleigh’s first chance of note in the second half came from David Hughes’ close ball control and footwork on the far side by the corner flag where he worked a yard of space to send a delightful cross into the penalty area. The ball came back out as far as Hann who skipped past one opponent and then had his shot charged down.

What proved to be the deciding goal came in the 54th minute. Jason Matthews showed superb vision with his pin point long kick up the park to find Sales who knocked the ball down for ANDY FORBES to poke the ball past the keeper with a neat finish for his fifteenth league goal of the season.

Credit to Bognor for the way they responded to going a goal down. The visitors really gave of their all from this point on keeping Eastleigh largely on the back foot, who were prepared to sit back and ground out the result by means of holding on to their slender lead.

Luke Byles sent Dan Beck tumbling shortly after the goal in a central position, 25 yards out. Alex Haddow stepped up for the free kick to bend around the wall but there was no way past Matthews who watched it all the way saving at his near post.

In the 64th minute, Knee stretched out a leg to connect with Haddow’s diagonal ball from deep, looking to loop the ball over the head of Matthews to show good improvisation. The execution was not quite good enough to pull it off however, as Matthews was left with a simple catch.

Luke Nightingale’s introduction from the substitutes bench for the visitors coincided with yet more pressure on Eastleigh’s goal as Michael Birmingham added more attacking prowess numerically, changing to a 4-3-3 formation.

The three forwards up top provided that much more for the Eastleigh defence to think about, led by Nightingale who immediately got into the action with a centre from the right hand side that had to be turned behind for a corner from Matt Hann.

Eastleigh did have one rare chance having been pegged back for such a long time, this coming in the form of an Andy Harris free kick that went just wide of the post.

Andy Forbes actually played in three positions throughout the game, the goalscorer dropping back to play on the left of midfield when Warren McBean came on for Hughes midway through the half and then finishing the game at centre half as Vickers made way for Fitzroy Simpson later on. Not once did he let the side down showing not just goalscoring exploits, which we all know about, but also his great versatility.

Eastleigh continued to soak up the pressure with a cross from Charlie Balfe having to be punched clear by Matthews and then Simpson throwing himself in front of the ball to stop the follow up.

Craig Stoner, the Bognor goalkeeper, joined the attack more than once as the Rocks looked to steal a share of the spoils late on but fortunately for Eastleigh, three points and a clean sheet was theirs to celebrate as they dug out the right result to complete a second win in as many days.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 1-0 Bognor Regis Town

Match pictures by Jozef Montigue

Check out the gallery here:

http://jozefmontigue.tripod.com/eastleigh_v_bognor_regis_pics/

Eastleigh seal important away win

NEWPORT COUNTY 1-2 EASTLEIGH

SATURDAY 22nd MARCH 2008
Blue Square South

By Ray Murphy

Another excellent away Spitfires' performance brought a deserved three points back from Wales in a match that saw plenty of incident and controversy for both sides.

Having watched Newport in their midweek home defeat by Welling United, Manager Ian Baird and his back room staff selected a side for the afternoon with certain tactics in mind with the personnel available. This brought about unfamiliar starting positions for Anthony Riviere and David Hughes as well as a recall to the side for Peter Adeniyi. Nobody failed to impress.

Having already snuffed out one Eastleigh attack, the home side created a chance in the opening minute but no player looked as though they had the confidence to have a shot on goal. Play switched immediately to the opposite end as Eastleigh attached a strong wind, with Mark Marshall causing all sorts of concerns for the Newport defence. His initial effort though was stopped by Newport goalkeeper Scott James. Adeniyi had another chance on seven minutes but his weak shot from the edge of the area was saved by James.

A Marshall corner on eighteen minutes curled low to just the inside post which saw James scramble across his line to stop the ball entering the net. Two minutes later and Eastleigh were ahead. Marshall again attacking the Newport defences and his shot from the edge of the box crept past James and nestled in the corner.

Eastleigh lost Riviere shortly afterwards following a heavy challenge which saw the left back for the afternoon struggle for a couple of minutes before having to give way. An Andy Gurney free kick was headed back across the face of the Eastleigh goal by Jermaine Clarke on twenty-four minutes. Two minutes later Paul Cochlin stabbed the ball home for Newport, following a Mark Dodd's free kick but referee Paul Forrester had spotted an infringement on Eastleigh keeper Jason Matthews so brought the play back for a free kick.

As Newport tried to step up the pace, Clarke, using the wind advantage, got in behind the Eastleigh defence but his shot was well saved by Matthews. On the half hour, Bowen got brought to the ground by Ashley Vickers, referee Forrester, adjudging the challenge to be of a serious nature, showed Vickers a straight red card for the offence. Newport lined up the free kick just inside the Eastleigh half and Cochlin arrived to meet Steve Jenkins' free kick and send a header past Matthews to level the score.

Three minutes later and it appeared that Newport has taken the lead. Cochlin again riding to head home a Dodd's free kick but this time the defender was adjudged offside. Having relieved the pressure Marshall arrived unmarked at the opposite end but shot his effort wide of the target. A Chris Piper back pass fell short on thirty eight minutes allowing Craig Hughes to take the ball round Matthews, but Andy Forbes playing in a centre back roll had recovered to clear the Hughes shot way. A minute later and the same Newport striker had another attempt with the hand of wind assistance but shot over the bar.

The second half remained as eventful. Starting the second period in an amazing hailstorm behind the backs of the Eastleigh side which eventually turned in to a clear blue summer sky. On fifty-two minutes Paul Sales headed an Adam Everitt free kick just wide and a minute later home goalkeeper James was caught outside his area trying to retrieve a defensive error only for Sales to try to loft a shot over the keeper into the net. James instinctively caught the ball outside his eighteen-yard line allowing referee Forrester to issue his second red card of the afternoon. Newport withdrew midfielder Lee Fowler for substitute goalkeeper Tony Pennock. Pennock's first action was to watch a low driven Andy Harris free kick go just the wrong side of the upright.

Clarke had another header from a Bowen cross go over the bar whilst Sales saw a shot on the turn saved by Pennock. Forbes rolled a shot wide of the target on seventy-eight minutes, which Eastleigh followers were left thinking they would rue but with ten minutes remaining, Eastleigh netted a winner. Pennock was caught in no man's land on the angle of the eighteen yard box and his attempted clearance fell straight to Sales who guided a shot back from fully thirty five yards. The ball seemed to take an eternity as it finally rolled into the Newport net to the delight of the Eastleigh players and management.

Newport offered little in resistance after this, as Eastleigh added a further three points to cement their position in the play off places.

In Reserve: Ten man Eastleigh slump to defeat

Eastleigh 2nd XI 0-3 Uxbridge Res.

Suburban Premier League

TEAM: Andy Wynn, Niall Bryant, Sam Doswell, Aaron Martin, Jason Sangha, Chris Mason, Tom Winzar, Adam Wiltshire, Scott Waters, Joe Maxwell, Adam Shepherd

SUBS: Les Wallace (on for Winzar 67), Aaron Milburn (on for Waters 67), Sam Skinner (on for Bryant 84)

Match Report by Jamie Montigue

It was one to forget for Eastleigh's second eleven this afternoon in the poor playing conditions of swirling, strong wind and the bitter cold. This was the Spitfires' third straight defeat as todays visitors to the Silverlake Stadium, Uxbridge Reserves took to the weather and adapted far better.

Just two minutes into the game Eastleigh found themselves a goal down - the worst possible start. A hopeful free kick from range looked to have been covered by goalkeeper Andy Wynn but was dropped dangerously in front of goal and according to the referee's assistant on the near side had crossed the line in the fiasco.

Conceding so early was a bad predicament to be in and evidently dented the confidence of several members of the Eastleigh line up at this very early stage.

Things could have gone from bad to worse, as in the seventh minute the visitors' number 10 had got on the wrong side of the Eastleigh defence to find himself clean through on goal from an excellent through ball. Aaron Martin stepped in to intervene, at a critical moment to do just enough, putting the striker off balance when pulling the trigger.

Martin, the commanding centre half, was shown a yellow card shortly after for a strong challenge, it was just the start of the disaster which was to follow.

Eastleigh's first chance saw Scott Waters feed the ball through down the middle in search of Adam Wiltshire that had to be cut out to earn a corner kick.

Uxbridge continued to have the better of the play in general with a header going just over the cross bar and then a free kick from the left flying across goal just needing a touch to divert it past the stranded Wynn.

A little over the half hour mark a Joe Maxwell cross was sliced behind from a wicked deflection that so nearly flew into the back of the net but instead went out for a corner kick.

Four minutes before the break, Aaron Martin was dismissed for a second yellow card following remarks and dissent to the referee. Eastleigh had rarely been in the game as it was, they now had to soldier on with just ten men.

In the closing seconds of the first half, Tom Winzar sent a good delivery into the penalty area from the right where Adam Shepherd arrived in the middle to connect with a decent half volley forcing a fine save out of the Uxbridge goalkeeper. This the closest Eastleigh had come to a goal.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 2nd XI 0-1 Uxbridge Res.

Eastleigh provided more resistance throughout the second half and demonstrated a vast improvement.

Despite this, in the 48th minute, Andy Wynn had to be on his guard to deny the Uxbridge number 10, who again had raced through unattended to powerfully drive the ball goalwards in the one-on-one situation only for Wynn to thwart the attack with alert goalkeeping to come out on top.

A cross from Winzar sat up nicely for Shepherd at the back post five minutes later, whose towering looping header was relatively easy for the goalkeeper to make a comfortable save.

Chris Mason came exceedingly close with a fine attempt from all of 40 yards with an audacious chip, spotting the Uxbridge stopper off his line. Mason was not far away at all but unlucky to see his dipping effort narrowly fly over goal and behind for a goal kick.

The hosts were beginning to pile the pressure on and again came close to finding a goal to get themselves back in the game. Tom Winzar cut in from the right flank before getting a shot away with his left foot to force the goalkeeper into a good save, low at his near post. The power on the shot meant the keeper could only parry and spill the ball kindly into the path of Mason whose follow up was stopped dead in its tracks from a superb last ditch tackle from close range to deny an other wise certain equaliser.

Chris Mason continued to drive his side on and came close with a further impressive attempt, this time a volley that had the keeper beaten only to miss the target but a matter of inches.

Unfortunately, the brave efforts of the ten men of Eastleigh had to come to an end as they began to tire and this came in the form of Uxbridge's second goal of the afternoon.

A relatively simple goal, at least it was made to look that way, saw a throw on flicked on and then smashed home leaving Wynn no chance but to pick the ball out of the net.

This forced Eastleigh into a double substitution with Les Wallace and Aaron Milburn replacing both Tom Winzar and Scott Waters.

Ten minutes from time it looked as though Wallace had reduced the deficit as his stinging drive looked destined for the top corner but for a stunning save from the keeper.

Sadly this was the last attempt from Eastleigh as their opponents netted a decisive third goal to kill the game off eight minutes from time. A fine individual effort from the Uxbridge number 10 saw the quick and skilful forward beat one and then two defenders with his direct running, getting a lucky bounce off another before shimmying to his right to round Wynn and deliver the finish. Game, set, match.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 2nd XI 0-3 Uxbridge Res.

Smith in Bashley switch

A statement on the club messageboard from Director of Football Dave Malone confirmed that club great, Danny Smith who was very influential in the Spitfires rapid rise up the non league ladder in recent years since his move from Winchester City, has now signed a permanent deal with Bashley after a successful loan spell.

"Eastleigh Football Club can confirm that we have agreed to the transfer of Danny Smith to Bashley FC.

Danny has been at Eastleigh for three seasons, and has played a significant part in our rise through the Leagues. We would like to thank him sincerely for his never failing efforts, and wish him every success in his future football career.

Danny will remain as an important and integral member of our thriving Football in The Community team."

Show your support for Ray Murphy and his Charity in the London Marathon 2008

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The Ray Murphy day usually starts at about 5am, making sure he is ready for the 65 mile trip to his offices in Chichester where he works for Covers Builders Merchants from his Christchurch home, a trip which at that times of day usually takes about an hour. For his full time occupation Ray runs a Joinery Directs department in the family owned thirteen-branch strong company where his role encompasses all the branches. The working day usually ends between 4pm or 6pm depending on work load with rarely a break for lunch, business at the moment is seeing more 6pm finishes than 4 and the journey home usually averages an hour and twenty minutes.

Fortunately in his spare time Ray is also Football Secretary at Blue Square South side Eastleigh Football Club, where he ensures all contracted players procedures are carried out as well as organising matches for the first team, reserves, youth side and Ladies team.

As a hobby Ray is also writing a history book on the Wessex League to celebrate their first twenty-five years and a history on Winchester City Football Club, where together with Bashley, Bournemouth Poppies and Dagenham he lists as his previous clubs during his pen-pushing career. Ray is also on the committee of the Sydenhams Wessex League as well as newly elected Press Officer for the Hampshire County Womens League. Also stashed away in the files of the computer is a murder mystery fictional work that he hopes to have published one say also.

Later on this year the half-century is reached age wise, so trying to do as few things that he has always thought of as being good things to do, one of the items on the list was to run the London Marathon. Well after submitting an entry into the ballot, Sunday 13th April 2008, Murphy will get the chance. Having already been in training since November Murphy has shed almost three stone as he builds his fitness for taking part in his first ever run of this nature, 1500 metres at school was previously the furthest he had to do and that was begrudged. Now we have 26 miles and a bit, which he would dearly love to finish on a five-hour time scale, but as long as the legs cross the finishing line, it can take all week.

Ray is raising sponsorship for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, which is where one of his twin boys, Ian Murphy, (now aged 25) spent the first few weeks of his life in an incubator recovering from a split intestine weighing less than three pounds having arrived some six weeks early. This is just some way of being able to repay the tremendous work the hospital carried out during those weeks.

Murphy by his own admission notes that although training is not going too bad he does need to step up the routine before the big day. Currently registering a regular five miles a night, he trains largely on his own though one of his other sons, Paul, has also helped out with him with regular gym sessions whilst Murphy has also been seen jogging round the Eastleigh pitch prior to a first team training night warming up with Eastleigh striker Steve Watts working his way back from injury. Its times like those that really helps me through the endless times of running alone says Murphy.

All monies raised on behalf of the Great Ormond Street Charity this year as a result of the marathon will go towards the Challenge Event teams commitment to fund a state of the art cardiac theatre in the new heart and lung centre for children. The centre will help to improve the overall hospital experience significantly by providing an environment sensitive to the needs of patients and their families, as well as staff. The new facilities in the centre will bring together medical and surgical care with scientific research, enabling laboratory findings to be rapidly translated into new treatments for immediate patient benefits. The final price of this is till to be confirmed, but should an amount be raised over and above the cost of the centre, the surplus will go towards meeting the annual financial commitment to the hospital to raise funds for things such as parent accommodation, research and replacement equipment.

Spitfires on wrong end of hiding - A miserable afternoon

EASTLEIGH v HAYES & YEADING UNITED

SATURDAY 15th MARCH 2008
Blue Square South

By Jamie Montigue

A week is a long time in football! Eastleigh played themselves up to 3rd in the table last weekend - the highest position they have ever held in this division, with a 5-0 demolition over Maidenhead but were given a stern reality check this afternoon at the Silverlake Stadium.

The only change from last weekend’s triumphant starting eleven saw Adam Everitt replace the suspended Luke Byles. Former Weymouth pair and new Spitfires signing duo, Jason Matthews and Ashley Vickers both made their home debuts.

Miserable weather coupled with poor performances all over the park from the Spitfires made for a very long and disappointing game as the extremely well organised Hayes & Yeading took charge.

Eastleigh did however have the first opportunity of note in the fourth minute. The towering Vickers flicked Andy Harris’ long throw on from the right to the back post where Mark Marshall arrived to fire just wide of goal with great power.

Marshall was by far Eastleigh’s best player throughout with his tireless running not only in attack but in closing down and working extremely hard all over the pitch. He saw a lot of the ball in the opening stages and left Danny Allen-Page for dead, skinning him on the far touchline only for his cross to be very well claimed by the extremely confident young goalkeeper, Alessio De Angelis.

This proved to be a repetitive theme throughout as De Angelis, the former Lazio stopper dealt with everything thrown into the box, in particular at corner kicks where he won everything in the air to take full command of his goal area. Nevin Saroya the Hayes & Yeading skipper was also in fine form in front of him and was a colossus at the heart of the visitors’ defence.

Garry Haylock’s side put together a very good move in the eleventh minute to give the hosts a scare. The flag stayed down as Ram Marwa burst through to beat the offside trap only for his touch to take him wide and towards the corner flag. Marwa recovered well to hold the ball up and play it back to Allen-Page who delivered an excellent cross into the centre. Staforde Palmer, who scored twice when the two sides last met (back in November when Eastleigh won 4-2 away at Hayes & Yeading), had got into a great position to connect with the cross, his header flashing wide of goal. It was a sign of things to come as the pressure from Hayes and Yeading gradually built up.

At the opposite end Marshall whipped in a free kick at speed which Karl Murray did all he could to get on the end of, but was pulled back for a foul for his efforts.

Kieran Knight and Liam Collins created a good chance in the seventeenth minute when simple but effective interplay in attack saw the ball come in from Collins for Staforde Palmer, who was completely unchallenged but slightly off balance as his half volley sliced harmlessly over the cross bar.

A short back pass from Warren Goodhind put Matthews in all sorts of trouble and was charged down enthusiastically by Knight moments later. Fortunately the Spitfires came away from this incident unscathed. Goodhind so nearly put the error firmly behind him as he headed goalwards from a Mark Marshall corner kick, only to be denied a moment of glory by a crucial goalline clearance.

NEVIN SAROYA struck the opening goal on 29 minutes capitalising on a sleepy Eastleigh defence from a quickly taken corner.

Palmer was instrumental in winning the corner kick in the first place with a mazy run inside the Eastleigh penalty area skipping past the challenge of Vickers twice before having his pass cut out and deflected into the side netting. The set piece was taken quickly catching the Eastleigh defence off guard. The centre half, Saroya, made no mistake from 25 yards as the ball was rolled across to him by Liam Collins, the Hayes & Yeading captain picking out the top left hand corner of Jason Matthews’ goal with a perfectly placed side-footed strike that left the former Terra motionless.

Eight minutes before the break, the visitors may well have taken a further step to putting a bit of daylight between themselves and Eastleigh. De Angelis again claimed the ball brilliantly from an Eastleigh corner and in one fell-swoop soon had defence turned into attack with a giant drop kick, route one style. Goodhind allowed the ball to bounce letting in Kieran Knight to race through one on one with Matthews. Matthews spared Goodhind’s blushes saving with his legs as he rushed out well to meet Knight at the edge of his penalty area to make an important stop.

Hayes and Yeading doubled their lead at a crucial time just seconds before the end of the first half through STAFORDE PALMER. The 19-year-old striker held off his marker Everitt and with his back to goal turned sharply and neatly to find the net with a low, crisp drive for 2-0 with an excellent finish.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 0-2 Hayes & Yeading United

Eastleigh needed to act quickly in their second half response if they were to salvage anything from the game as they had done two weeks earlier when they overturned a 2-0 half time deficit at the hands of Maidenhead United to go on and record a 3-2 win.

It was asking an awful lot on the first half showing for them to repeat the same kind of comeback and they would have needed a dramatic overhaul to change things around, a quick goal after the break would have helped matters no end. This nearly came just a minute in. Adam Everitt’s throw from the left was knocked down by Andy Forbes for his strike partner Sales whose controlled volley was well saved by De Angelis.

Sadly despite early signs of improvements the stuffing was knocked right out of Eastleigh when they fell three goals behind with just 51 minutes on the clock. RAM MARWA was the scorer with a cool lofted finish, hooking the ball over the committed Matthews to guide into an unguarded goal. A long ball forward from left back Peter Collins had the Eastleigh defence in disarray, and Marwa took full advantage.

Kieran Knight so nearly made matters worse for Eastleigh with an excellent looping header that had beaten Matthews but missed the goal by a matter of inches only a minute after the goal. It was clear Hayes were by no means finished yet and not satisfied with putting their feet up settling for holding on to their three goal advantage.

A quickly taken free kick caught Adam Everitt totally out of position as he was still arguing with the referee about the foul he committed close to the half way line. Steve Perkins threaded the ball into the empty space created by the otherwise occupied Everitt for Staforde Palmer who strode forward to pull the ball back. Were it not for the final ball being just a yard behind the two men running in Eastleigh would have been another goal down for sure.

David Hughes who came on at the break for Goodhind looked to have won a penalty when the referee blew up as the midfielder was sent tumbling to the ground inside the box. Bizarrely the referee gave it the other way to reaffirm that it was definitely not going to be Eastleigh’s day.

It was all Hayes & Yeading in terms of possession. Eastleigh just couldn’t stamp down their authority or class on the game.

James Mulley dribbled skilfully inside the left channel and managed to get his shot away despite the seemingly tight angle. Matthews stood tall to make the save and cut out the danger, for the time being at least.

Mark Marshall continued to give his all as he created a rare chance for Eastleigh in the 67th minute with a trademark run and cross. Only a vital intervention in front of goal to take the ball away from Paul Sales prevented the Spitfires from pulling one back. The ball came loose for Karl Murray whose shot was comfortably dealt with.

Eastleigh appeared to be sat far too deep which only drew Hayes & Yeading at them, leaving an awful lot to be desired.

In the 90th minute JOEL LEDGISTER, a pacy striker on loan from Blue Square Premier side Oxford United, had been on the pitch just ten minutes when he put a fourth past an off colour Eastleigh.

Alessio De Angelis was pinpoint in his distribution from the back once more with a long kick up the field. Ledgister had all the time in the world to rub salt into the Eastleigh wounds, which he did applying an excellent lofted finish.

WARREN McBEAN restored some pride at least with virtually the last kick of the game from a splendid overhead kick from Paul Sales’ chipped cross. A mere consolation and probably the only bright moment from Eastleigh in an otherwise very poor performance. Hayes & Yeading thoroughly deserved the points and handed out a reality check to bring Eastleigh back down to earth from their all time high of last week.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 1-4 Hayes & Yeading United

Match pictures by Jozef Montigue

Check out the gallery here:

http://jozefmontigue.tripod.com/eastleigh_v_hayes_yeading_united_pics

Famous Five!

MAIDENHEAD UNITED v EASTLEIGH



SATURDAY 8th MARCH 2008
Blue Square South

By Ray Murphy

Maidenhead United will be glad to see the back of Eastleigh especially second half periods of matches, as for the second time in seven days, Maidenhead were torn apart by a solid Eastleigh second half performance.

The previous week had seen Maidenhead squander a two-goal lead to lose by the odd goal in five. For Eastleigh there was no such drama this time though after a scoreless first half the thoughts were switching to a hope of a single goal victory. Eastleigh welcomed midweek signings Jason Matthews and Ashley Vickers into the side and both gave solid performances.

As for Maidenhead they are nervously sitting on the edge of the relegation zone and having already been called in early by manager Johnson Hippolyte, the players remained in the changing room for a long time after the final whistle. The home sides preparations were not helped by the loss of striker Manny Williams during the warm up thus enforcing a late team sheet alteration.

The game was not for the purist. The ball spent large amounts of time in the air as Eastleigh started the game kicking up the slope. Paul Sales flashed a shot wide of the target on seven minutes and then on twenty minutes Andy Harris’ long throw was helped on by Sales and Andy Forbes planted a header on to the top of the net.

This signalled the home sides best period of the game. Jermaine Hinds should have done better with a free header from a Ashley Smith corner midway through the half not even hitting the target whilst Smith produced a low drive on thirty five minutes that saw Matthews scrambling down to his right to turn the ball away recovering to make another stop from Jon Hastings. The route one Maidenhead approach almost brought success for Maidenhead five minutes before the interval when Louis Wells drop kick fell for ex Eastleigh striker Carl Wilson-Denis but again Matthews was equal to the attempt. Forbes had another Eastleigh chance with a lofted shot over the keeper Wells but drifted the wrong side of the upright.

Eastleigh had all the ascendancy from the start of the second period. Sales glanced a header wide from a Forbes cross six minutes into the period, but Eastleigh didn’t finally break the deadlock until the fifty seventh minute. Forbes won Matthews’ long kick in the air on the edge of the Maidenhead box. The ball was too far forward for Sales to manage a shot but Karl Murray was running on to strike a shot from twenty five yards that flew past the wrong footed Wells and Eastleigh were ahead.

Forbes almost increased the lead four minutes later his header from a Sales cross coming back off the upright. Sixty-six minutes and Eastleigh added a second. Mark Marshall’s right wing cross was met by an attacking Forbes header to power the ball into the back of the net.

Sixty-eight minutes and Eastleigh added a third. With Wells way out of his goal, the quick thinking Sales planted an exquisite shot into the net from the angle of the box as Eastleigh now threatened a rout.

Forbes added his second of the afternoon on seventy three minutes heading home another Harris cross and Sales was almost on target again but his acrobatic overhead bicycle attempt was wide.

The final goal arrived ten minutes before time. Warren McBean had only been on the pitch for a minute when he arrived at the far post to nod home after Vickers had flicked on Harris’ long throw.

Reserves pay the penalty

Eastleigh 2nd XI 1-3 Carshalton Athletic Res.

Suburban Premier League

TEAM: Andy Wynn, Niall Bryant, Justin Hall, Jason Sangha, Sam Doswell, Perry Mullins, Chris Mason, James Screen, Tom Winzar, Scott Waters, Doug Rowe.

SUBS: Adam Wiltshire (on for Winzar 62), Joe Maxwell (on for Hall 62), Aaron Milburn (on for Waters 80)

Match Report by Jamie Montigue

Carshalton Athletic’s high-flying reserve side, who sit 2nd placed in the Suburban Premier League, were today's visitors to the Silverlake Stadium.

Seemingly determined to come away with a good result, the visitors started the game at a good pace and had the first opportunity, Danny Elgar heading narrowly behind from an impressive left wing cross from Anthony Bridgeman in the opening stages.

Andy Wynn, the Eastleigh goalkeeper was forced into a fine athletic save as he tipped over the cross bar to thwart a good shot on the spin minutes later.

Eastleigh had very little by way of ‘clear-cut’ chances and were limited to the odd attempt from distance. The hosts first real threat came from Dougie Rowe who spotted the Carshalton goalkeeper advancing from his goalline and reacted to this by clipping the ball towards goal and over the keeper only to be denied by a well-positioned defender who was on hand to clear the danger for a corner kick.

From the resulting set-piece, Sam Doswell stole in at the far post to meet a fine delivery from the far side, coming within inches of finding a goal with his header.

A well worked free kick almost paid dividends shortly after. James Screen floated the ball into the box where the ball was headed on by Rowe, and then chested down by Scott Waters into the path of Chris Mason, who forced a corner kick.

Despite appearing to brighten up, it looked to be short-lived for Eastleigh, as Carshalton again took the upper-hand with a good deal of pressure piling up on Wynn’s goal from consecutive corner kicks amongst other opportunites for the visitors.

Out of nothing, a moment of pure inspiration from the captain, Chris Mason resulted in Adie Burford’s young Eastleigh side taking a 30th minute lead. The skipper drove on from midfield before picking out the bottom left hand corner from range with a low, crisp drive which beat the dive of the goalkeeper.

Slowly but surely Carshalton worked their way back into the game.

A free kick on 37 minutes, just outside the penalty area, went straight past the wall but thankfully was comfortably dealt with low down by Wynn.

Six minutes before the break, a mistimed challenge from Jason Sangha handed the visitors a penalty kick from which Martin Dell tucked away to the left of goal despite Wynn’s best efforts. The Eastleigh stopper guessed the right way and was unlucky not to have kept the spot kick out having got a hand to it.

Things went from bad to worse for the Spitfires on the stroke of half time as Justin Hall this time conceded a second penalty of the afternoon, wrapping his arms around Lance Banton-Brown. The centre forward from Carshalton, who actually won the first penalty not so long before, went down very easily and was always looking to win the referee over. Dell stepped up confidently once more to fire out of reach into the top corner.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 2nd XI 1-2 Carshalton Athletic Res.

Despite the setbacks towards the end of the first half, Eastleigh came out looking the brighter side at the start of the second forty-five.

Perry Mullins had a shot deflected behind for a corner early on, before another neat interchange from the home side involving Waters and Doswell in the approach saw a close range effort narrowly evade hitting the target.

Eastleigh’s goalscorer Chris Mason curled a shot from 25-yards over the cross bar as the miserable weather and rain set in. The difficult conditions only adding to Eastleigh’s dilemma and situation of being a goal down making it hard for them to play there passing game.

A little over ten minutes into the second half, Eastleigh enjoying the better of this period of time, Carshalton added a third and from here there didn’t look to be a way back.

Vigan Qehaja turned neatly in a tight area before getting his shot in which spun wickedly towards goal. Wynn spilled it allowing Banton-Brown to pounce and poke home from close range.

Eastleigh went to three at the back in favour of pushing numbers forward following the double substitution of Adam Wiltshire and Joe Maxwell who came on for Tom Winzar and Justin Hall.

Fifteen minutes from time, a ball in to the area from Screen on the left flank was helped on by Maxwell to find Mullins in acres of space. The winger opted for heading the ball first time, which looped up to provide an easy save for the Carshalton keeper. This was perhaps Eastleigh’s best opportunity but unfortunately it did not come off.

Aaron Milburn made a comeback from injury with ten minutes remaining as he replaced Scott Waters.

A late chance from the hosts saw Perry Mullins’ pace take him beyond his marker before watching his delightful cross come back off the cross bar.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 2nd XI 1-3 Carshalton Athletic Res.

Baird signs a keeper

Club statement from official website - www.eastleigh-fc.co.uk

"Following the recall of David Wilkinson back to Palace, Eastleigh have signed Jason Matthews from Weymouth. The Spitfires management have admired Jason for some time and have taken this opportunity to secure his goalkeeping skills for the Club.

He has been at Weymouth for six seasons and prior to that, Jason has had spells with Taunton Town, Nuneaton Borough and Exeter City.

He rejoins his former team mate, Ashley Vickers, who also joined Eastleigh from Weymouth earlier in the week."

--------------

- Baird brings in a keeper, by Wendy Gee

Eastleigh have brought in a second player from Weymouth to boost their Blue Square South play-off push.

Hot on the heels of central defender Ashley Vickers joining the Spitfires, they have snapped up experienced 32-year-old goalkeeper Jason Matthews ahead of tommorow’s return trip to Maidenhead United.

“We’ve been on the look-out for a keeper for next season and Jason comes with a good pedigree having played in the Conference,” said Eastleigh boss Ian Baird.

“He’s only just lost his place in the Weymouth side with John Hollins (Weymouth manager) bringing in Stephen Henderson from Bristol City and, when the opportunity popped up on Wednesday, we went for it.

“I tried to sign him when I was manager of Havant & Waterlooville and I believe Eastleigh were also interested at the time.”

Matthews, once of Salisbury City, went on to play for Exeter in the Football League and memorably replaced the injured Stuart Naylor during an FA Cup tie against Everton and, despite a barrage of attacks, managed to keep a clean sheet.

David Wilkinson, who has been on loan with the Spitfires, has returned to Crystal Palace, while Eastleigh’s former number one James Pullen is believed to be joining AFC Wimbledon on a permanent basis after a successful loan spell.

Providing Matthews passes his medical he is likely to make his debut, along with Vickers, at Maidenhead tomorrow, where Eastleigh will be looking to build on last Saturday’s 3-2 win over the Magpies – but hopefully in a less nailbiting style.

The Spitfires went 2-0 down at the Silverlake before roaring back to snatch victory through Anthony Riviere and two-goal Paul Sales.

Maidenhead’s poor home record is legendary they have one just one league game – against Dorchester Town – in 16 attempts and manager Johnson Hippolyte has tried everything to change that – including going on a bus tour of the town to recreate the atmosphere of an away game.

“We’re all aware of Maidenhead’s home record and, at some stage, they’re going to break that hoodoo. We’ve just got to make sure it’s not against us,” said Baird.

Collins suffers blow

Defender Warren Goodhind returned to training this week after groin trouble, but there is more bad news for fellow Eastleigh defender Chris Collins.

The luckless centre-back, who has only just returned from long-term injury, has torn his medial knee ligament and cartilage and will miss the rest of the campaign.

Karim El-Salahi, who played a one-off game against Maidenhead last Saturday has gone back on loan to Sutton United until the end of the season.

New recruit: Experienced defender Vickers

* Click image below for full size article *

By Wendy Gee, Daily Echo - Wednesday 5th March 2008

February Manager of the Month Awards

Blue Square Announce “Manager of the Month” Winners for February

Cambridge United’s Jimmy Quinn has won the Blue Square Premier "Manager of the Month" award for February. Quinn's side remained unbeaten as they negotiated a number of tricky fixtures throughout the period to go third in the table. The U's beat fellow promotion hopefuls Forest Green and Stevenage - as well as holding table-toppers Aldershot to a goalless draw followed by an away win at Halifax. Setanta Blue Square Premier pundit Paul Parker had this to say about Quinn - "When you look at the quality of the opposition that Cambridge faced, the fact they remained unbeaten was a real achievement." Quinn is the first manager this season to pick up a second monthly award, after scooping the November prize.

In the Blue Square South the award goes to Bishop's Stortford manager Martin Hayes. The former Arsenal striker led his team to four wins and a draw, their only defeat coming in the 1-0 away reverse at high-flyers Lewes. Hayes’ side scored a remarkable 15 goals in their six games, hitting five of those in their home win over Bognor Regis.

Harry Dunn of Blyth Spartans has won the award in the Blue Square North. The Spartans have been in fantastic form that has seen them move eleven points clear of the relegation places in the Blue Square North table. Dunn’s side achieved three wins and three draws in their six matches – their wins coming against sides in the top half of the table notably Harrogate Town and Southport.

Saviour Sales! Eastleigh fight back to win from 2 down

EASTLEIGH v MAIDENHEAD UNITED

SATURDAY 1st MARCH 2008
Blue Square South

By Jamie Montigue

Paul Sales was Eastleigh’s superstar saviour in this game of two halves.

Eastleigh made just one change to the side who beat Welling United by three goals to one last Saturday. Karim El-Salahi was recalled from Sutton United following his loan spell away from the Silverlake Stadium to fill the void left by injured centre back Chris Collins.

Maidenhead United were today’s visitors to the Silverlake Stadium, Johnson Hippolyte’s men boasting a very impressive away record this campaign and looked to demonstrate that sort of form this afternoon also.

As early as the fourth minute, the Magpies were threatening with Lee Newman firing just wide of David Wilkinson’s post having linked up well with strike partner Manny Williams. A good early attempt, one, which signalled Maidenhead’s intent at this very early stage in the game.

Four minutes later, a dangerous ball in from the left-hand side saw Adam Everitt let his touch get the better of him. The ball ricocheted high leading to the Eastleigh left back bringing more trouble on himself than was necessary, causing the former Cambridge City man to slam behind for a corner kick. A powerful header from Grant Cooper flew inches wide of the upright as he connected with Ashley Smith’s delivery on the near side.

The warning signs were out already. Sure enough, in the ninth minute JACK BRADSHAW opened the scoring to send Maidenhead into a 1-0 lead. Carl Wilson-Denis, who played for Eastleigh last season, held the ball up inside the penalty area before playing a simple ball to his left to find Smith. Smith’s delivery was pinpoint as he picked out the unmarked Bradshaw who was gifted a free header at the far post to head home from close range.

The Spitfires were far from at the races and were made to look distinctly average at best, anything but a side donning a Blue Square South play off spot. The lacklustre half from the Spitfires continued as Maidenhead doubled their lead to silence the Eastleigh following who watched on in despair as their side fell apart before their eyes.

JERMAINE HINDS stole in at the near post to steer a well-placed header into the bottom corner from Smith’s free kick. This was Smith’s second assist as Maidenhead made things look worryingly easy. The set piece was awarded in the first place for a needless foul by Everitt, for which he was punished by a yellow card.

Up to this point Eastleigh had struggled to get out of their own half against their highly organised opponents, and had not managed to trouble Louis Wells in almost half an hour. The closest they came to an ‘attack’ would have been Mark Marshall’s splendid free kick on the near side, towards the corner flag, where he was initially fouled. Whipping the ball across with pace, the perfect delivery for someone to just get a touch on, evaded everyone going through a crowd of players.

Things improved slightly but not dramatically, with Paul Sales showing great technique with a dipping shot from 30 yards that Wells watched carefully to save.

Only a minute later, Wilson-Denis might have made it 3-0 only for a splendid save by Wilkinson. Muscling his way through, the ex-Eastleigh striker poked the ball towards goal from 8 yards but was denied by an instinctive reaction stop from the on-loan Crystal Palace goalkeeper, who made just enough contact to palm the shot from point-blank range on to his cross bar.

On a rare occasion that the hosts had got forward, Chris Piper had a shot well blocked by two defenders sliding in to protect the Maidenhead goal. El-Salahi followed up, though the danger was cleared.

A corner kick from Eastleigh saw Wells spill Everitt’s delivery. Both Sales and Piper pounced but neither could turn the ball goalwards.

In the closing moments of the half leading up to the break, Wilkinson looked uncharacteristically edgy as he dropped a cross from which the visitors so nearly capitalised. The ball was rolled back to Williams who drove behind.

The Eastleigh stopper then miss-kicked with Wilson-Denis pressurising though thankfully nothing came of it.

Anthony Riviere was brought down just outside the box by David Clarke to win a free kick in a very good position on the stroke of half time. Mark Marshall could only manage to fire straight into the wall.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 0-2 Maidenhead United

Thankfully, the second half told a completely different story and whatever was said at half time certainly fired up the hosts who pulled one back instantly through ANTHONY RIVIERE, just four minutes after the restart.

Warren McBean rolled the ball down the left hand side for Marshall who got to the byline as he opened his stride to beat the right back for pace and then send over a cross with his weaker left foot. Riviere burst into the area to slide in at full stretch at the back post to pull a crucial goal back for the Spitfires. This goal not only reduced the arrears but gave Eastleigh a way back into the match with renewed hope to go on and get a result. The timing was highly important to get the goal early on to settle the nerves, leaving them a good forty minutes to turn things around.

Ian Baird could not have received a better response after a pretty poor first half by Eastleigh’s standards.

Andy Forbes was introduced not long after the goal, making his return from injury as he replaced McBean and looked sharp despite his lack of games.

It wasn’t long before Baird made his second substitution bringing on David Hughes for Everitt.

Tactically, Eastleigh had got it spot on this half. Forbes and Hughes coming on proved to be a masterstroke also.

The Spitfires had improved and upped their games no end and got their just rewards with an equalising goal from PAUL SALES two minutes shy of the hour. Eastleigh’s saviour Sales came to the rescue in this game of two halves, shooting on the turn from the edge of the area to pick out the corner of goal.

Still the urgency was there and had improved if anything since Riviere’s early second half strike. Mark Marshall raced forward on the break curling a good attempt just around the post, David Hughes also had a penalty shout snubbed.

Eastleigh kept plugging away determined to get a third goal. Karl Murray played the ball into Riviere who turned to get a shot away that was well saved by Wells on 69 minutes.

Andy Forbes came extremely close to finding that goal as Piper pulled the ball back, rolling across to provide the delivery to match his positive run down the left. Forbes was well placed but the chance went begging.

Into the last ten minutes, Matt Hann was brought on for Karim El-Salahi, and it was the former St. Albans winger who played a part in the winning goal as his cross went behind for a corner kick.

Saving his best until last, PAUL SALES bagged his second of the afternoon in style, with a sublime overhead kick five minutes from time. A goal well worthy of winning any game as Eastleigh got out of jail from their dismal start but it was no less than deserved following a completely different performance and attitude in the second half to take all three points.

Unfortunately the referee took the shine off of this victory by giving Luke Byles his marching orders for a second yellow card despite clearly playing the ball.

Eastleigh’s character and will-to-win was there for all to see in the second half as they completed an excellent comeback. These two sides will do battle once more next weekend at York Road in the second game of the back-to-back fixtures with the same opponents.

This win has lifted Baird’s men to fourth in the table.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 3-2 Maidenhead United

Match pictures by Jozef Montigue

Check out the gallery here:

http://jozefmontigue.tripod.com/eastleigh_v_maidenhead_pics/