Baird gets Clark boost

Baird gets Clark boost

By Wendy Gee - full story in

Ian Baird is hoping Eastleigh's funds will stretch to another new signing after securing the signature of utility man Steve Clark from Bromley this week.

With Jamie Brown not yet up to playing two games a week after summer hip surgery and Andy Forbes still working his way back to fitness after a hernia operation, Baird wants another striker on board.

"Ideally I'd love to bring in another forward, but it would be under the constraints of how much we can pay and whether the club would let me have £250 (a week) to go out and get someone," he said.

"I've got a couple of people in mind and I've enquired about Manny Williams at Woking.

"But the money he's on there is astronomical and we wouldn't even be able to afford half his wages."

A local player from a lower league club would perhaps make more financial sense, but Baird said: "Would a player from say, Bashley or Totton want to come here if they're not guaranteed a place?

"We've been down that route before and I don't want to go there again.

"I want players who are prepared to come here and fight for a place.

"Taz (winger Adam Roberts) has joined VT FC and that's purely because he wants regular football.

"We had the same experience with Warren McBean last season. He wasn't happy because he'd scored four goals in six games, but he still wasn't starting."

Clark's signing, Baird believes, makes prudent financial sense.

"Bromley were in breach of contract and I was alerted by his agent that he was available. he explained.

"He can play right-back, on the right hand side of a midfield four, up top or in the middle of the park. With the money we've got, he's a good acquisition.

"Neil Davies has gone to Uxbridge and Andy Harris has the last of the three-match suspension to serve tomorrow, so Steve will come straight into the reckoning at home to Hampton & Richmond.

He'll play right back, which is the position he's been playing in all season at Bromley.

"He's 26 with a good pedigree at West Ham, Southend, Weymouth, Fisher, Chelmsford and Bromley. It's good to get someone of that calibre on board.

"Steve lives at Canary Wharf, so he will travel down from London with Anthony Riviere and Peter Adeniyi."

Trevor Challis is available again tomorrow following a one-match ban and Baird has his fingers crossed that Forbes will be okay having retired with a calf strain in Tuesday's 6-0 Hampshire Senior Cup romp over Totton & Eling.

"Forbesy went off at half time, but maybe it was a case of 'I've scored one, we're 6-0 up, so I think I'll have a break," said Baird. "I hope so because we can't afford to lose him."

Victory is vital if the stuttering Spitfires are to climb their way back into the play-off mix.

A run of four league games without a win has dropped them to tenth with 21 points - four adrift of tomorrow's visitors Hampton, who are fifth.

Totton & Eling hit for six in first half - Hants Senior Cup

EASTLEIGH v TOTTON & ELING

TUESDAY 28th OCTOBER 2008
Hampshire Senior Cup 3rd Round

By Ray Murphy

Eastleigh eased through into the Quarter Finals of the Hampshire Senior Cup with this victory over Sydenhams Wessex League First Division's second placed Totton & Eling. Eastleigh grabbed six goals in the first half without reply before a goalless second period.

Joe Maxwell who had grabbed a goal in the previous round opened the scoring after ten minutes applying a finishing touch after Totton could not get the ball cleared out of the area.

A delicately placed shot into the top corner of goalkeeper Denis Wheeler's right hand side by Peter Adeniyi on seventeen minutes earned Eastleigh a second goal. Three minutes later a strike from Maxwell was too strong for Wheeler to hold as Eastleigh celebrated a third.

Following a corner on twenty-four minutes Tony Taggart thundered home goal number four from the edge of the box. Ten minutes later Anthony Riviere controlled a difficult bouncing ball before shooting home the fifth goal of the evening.

On the stroke of half time Andy Forbes headed home Taggart's cross as Eastleigh increased their score again.

Forbes did not appear for the second period nursing a slight calf strain whilst Eastleigh finished the game with ten men and Trevor Challis left the field ten minutes early with a knock. Suffice to say really that Gareth Howells was not troubled for the entire evening as Eastleigh try and claim their first ever appearance in the Hampshire Senior Cup Final.

Ladies fight for well-earned point against Pompey Uni

SUNDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2008

UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH LADIES 3-3 EASTLEIGH LADIES

Eastleigh continued their unbeaten league run with a draw away to tough opposition Portsmouth University.

On a day which saw continuous rain and wind, Eastleigh Ladies battled hard and scored within the first 5 minutes to the surprise of a strong opposition.

The hosts soon equalised, but Eastleigh came back and levelled before going on to restore their lead.

In an action packed first half, Portsmouth Uni. then pulled another back to make it level going into the break.

The second half saw better football from Eastleigh who dug deep to see out the draw not after some good football from both sides, which saw both keepers tested throughout the match.

In the end it was a tie, though Eastleigh were more than happy with that, Pompey Uni thought they should of have had a number of penalties.

Speaking after the game, goalkeeper Alex Brooks commented: "I think that it was a good game against a very good side under difficulty weather conditions against a team we have never managed to beat."

Final Score: University of Porstmouth Ladies 3-3 Eastleigh Ladies

Scorers for Eastleigh: Night Akhonya, Lucy Piper, Abby Strode-Gibbons

Goodhind retained plus a new signing arrives

A club statement by Dave Malone confirmed the return of Warren Goodhind for the second time this season, and also news of a new signing. The statement read as follows:

"We are pleased to announce the signing of Steve Clark from Bromley. We can also confirm that Warren Goodhind has also been retained, which we are able to do following the release of both James Baker and David Hughes.

Both of these players have accepted terms that fall within the pay structure, which will be implemented from 1st November."

Steve Clark, was born on the 10th February 1982. Profile from Bromley website:

Comfortable anywhere across the back line, Steve was a member of West Ham’s very successful youth side of the nineties. He signed for Southend United in late 2001, where he spent three seasons, prior to spells at Hornchurch, Dagenham & Redbridge and Fisher Athletic.

Began last season at Bromley before joining Chelmsford City where he helped them lift the Ryman Premier Division title. Returned to Hayes Lane in the summer.

Reserves up to 2nd as fine league form continues

Eastleigh Res. 2-1 Ashford Town (Middx) Res.
Suburban Premier League

TEAM: Fred Toomer, Adam Gatcumb, Aaron Blaxall, Adam Wiltshire, Aaron Martin ©, Scott Gilham, Joe Crook, Chris Mason, Andy Forbes, Ben White, Nick Watt

Subs: Leonildo Simoes (on for Watt 84), Alex Easton (on for White 65), Fred Dukes, Samba M'Baye (on for Crook 75), Jon Webb

By Jamie Montigue

Eastleigh Reserves continued their eight game unbeaten run in the league in front of a good following of Spitfires fans due to the first team not having a fixture.

Ian Baird's side were scheduled to play Team Bath this afternoon but as their Blue Square South counterparts were still in the FA Cup (where they emerged 1-0 victors over Eastleigh's local rivals Salisbury City), the Eastleigh first team were without a game.

Hot-shot striker Andy Forbes came through a full 90 minutes, which again is very positive as he steadily comes back to full fitness.

With first team manager Baird watching on, and the crowd making a lot of noise with the drum and continuous singing to provide great support for the youngsters and a decent atmosphere for a reserve team game, Paul Wiltshire and Wayne Mew's team fell behind as early as the fifth minute.

Ashford Town's Jimmy Stanford curled an unstoppable free kick past the young Freddie Toomer into the top corner from 25-yards out to the right of goal.

Eastleigh responded well with Nick Watt coming close from a chipped effort in the 11^th minute and then came the equalising goal thirteen minutes later.

ADAM WILTSHIRE took it very well firing into the bottom corner for 1-1 shooting on the turn from distance.

Full back Adam Gatcumb's deep cross found Forbes two minutes after Eastleigh had drawn level, and the fans favourite striker had his header deflected behind for a corner.

Forbes again posed problems in and around the penalty area as he volleyed just wide of the post as a cross was headed down by a defender into his path a little over the half hour mark.

At the opposite end, eight minutes before the break, both Aaron Blaxall and Aaron Martin bravely thwarted an Ashford attempt from close range by sliding in to save an otherwise certain goal as the scores remained all square at the break.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh Res. 1-1 Ashford Town Res.

Chris Mason shot straight at the keeper as Eastleigh came out in search of a goal straight away in the second half.

Still within the opening four minutes after the break, a great header by Andy Forbes that he rose high in the air to win, was then nodded down perfectly into the path of Ben White who found himself clean through on goal.

The young striker squandered a good chance from 12 yards but did well to be in the right position in the first place.

Nick Watt showed promise down the left flank and in the 50^th minute delivered an excellent delivery to the far post, though to his disappointment nobody was there to take full advantage of it.

Eastleigh cranked up the pressure on the Ashford goal and looked to have won a penalty kick when a Joe Crook shot appeared to strike the hand of an opponent in the area. The referee's assistant immediately raised his flag, though the referee was uninterested.

In the 60^th minute Eastleigh came close once more. A Nick Watt throw in from the left was flicked on by Forbes at the near post for Crook to turn goal wards only to be denied by an instinctive piece of goalkeeping, Dan Cox pulling off a great reaction save.

The Spitfires finally got their just rewards taking the lead 19 minutes from time. Adam Gatcumb was instrumental flicking the ball over his marker on the far side before volleying the ball across into a packed penalty area. The ball was half cleared only as far as JOE CROOK on the edge of the area who provided a stunning volley that left the keeper motionless as it sailed past him and into the net in some style.

Forbes might have added a third two minutes from the end but could only slice his effort narrowly wide of the target from a Gatcumb cross.

Finally in the closing stages, the Spitfires were given a let off as the ball over the top from their visitors saw Jon Palmer clean through and fortunately for the hosts, the striker drilled his shot well wide with his left foot from this excellent chance to ensure a share of the spoils. He didn't take it and Eastleigh had done enough to secure yet another victory in the Suburban Premier League and lift themselves to second in the division.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh Res. 2-1 Ashford Town Res.

Magpies end Eastleigh's Silverlake league record

EASTLEIGH v DORCHESTER TOWN

TUESDAY 21st OCTOBER 2008
Blue Square South

By Jamie Montigue

Eastleigh's unbeaten home run in the Blue Square South finally came to an end against a Dorchester Town side who had lost four games on the bounce. Shaun Brook's visitors' last and only other win came over two months ago on the opening day of the season. Ian Baird's men had ended a run of three straight defeats (Chelmsford and the infamous two cup exits), with a positive performance and a 3-3 draw against high-flying Hayes & Yeading United at the weekend.

Skipper Andy Harris was missing through suspension following the red card he picked up in the Setanta Shield versus Havant at the beginning of October. Meanwhile, Trevor Challis was back in the starting line up having served his ban; these the only changes to Saturday's starting eleven.

The Spitfires dominated the first half but were unable to turn their domination into something that would ultimately show for it – a goal. In the second half, one of very few chances and attempts on goal from the visiting Magpies ironically proved to be the decisive goal and Eastleigh, somewhat frustratingly could not find a way back into the game.

Former Magpies pairing Matt Groves and Jamie Brown lined up against the club where they spent a number of seasons together at the Avenue Stadium, and caused a few early problems for their ex-team mates as Eastleigh made the better start to the game.

Whilst Eastleigh were creating chances with some nice ideas in attack, the killer final ball always seemed to be over hit or otherwise amiss.

Dorchester's first attempt on goal saw Ronayne Marsh-Brown, who had come on in the opening stages of the game for the injured Jake Smeeton, prove a handful for Tony Taggart as he ran forward to the edge of the area before playing the ball across to Wes Fogden whose curling effort from 10 yards out was narrowly wide of goal.

In the 23^rd minute, the Spitfires could feel a little hard done by for a seemingly harsh decision that went against them. Anthony Riviere appeared to have a shot charged down and stopped by the use of a hand in the Dorchester penalty area, though this wasn't the real issue as play continued with Jamie Brown pouncing on the loose ball and finishing smartly from close range. Oddly, the referee awarded a free kick for reasons best known to himself.

On the half hour, an extremely well-crafted bit of play from Taggart found Riviere who got to the byline only to have his driven low cross cut out at the near post.

Groves then forced a corner from which Matt Bodkin's delivery was headed agonisingly over the cross bar from close range by Brown in front of goal.

Ten minutes before the break, the build up play and fluent passing from Eastleigh along the floor and through the midfield was continually pleasing to watch with Peter Adeniyi perhaps the pick of the bunch for his shining performance and creativity.

Pete worked the ball well to his left for Challis whose delivery from the far side had to be cut out to evade the danger.

It was all Eastleigh but still with little to show for it and no end product.

Taggart forced a corner that came to nothing after which, Jamie Brown showed great desire and work rate chasing back past the halfway line to win possession once more for his team and set up another move. The ball eventually came out to Bodkin where a decent delivery into the box just needed a touch, though nobody in a white shirt could be seen.

The Spitfires came close again in the 38^th minute as Brown won a free kick in a central position approximately 25-yards from goal. Matt Bodkin struck it well and former AFC Bournemouth goalkeeper Gareth Stewart could only spill the powerful effort before gathering the ball at the second attempt ahead of the on-rushing Eastleigh players.

A good half from Eastleigh in terms of possession and the fact that Dorchester were very rarely given a sniff let alone allowed out of their own half, it was just sad that the hosts were unable to find a breakthrough and hold a lead for their efforts.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 0–0 Dorchester Town

A low crowd attendance of 392 for this midweek match saw Dorchester Town edge slowly into the frame and started the half the better side.

In the 54^th minute Jamie Gleeson picked out Darren Watts in the middle, though the Magpies midfielder skied the ball high over the bar and still Matthews was yet to be tested.

A brief of glimpse of Eastleigh's neat interplay was displayed two minutes later as Adeniyi knocked the ball down for Groves who was on to it in a flash with a half volley that sailed comfortably wide of goal.

The dead lock was broken a minute before the hour. It will have to go down as a soft one to concede for Eastleigh as this was in fact only Dorchester's third attempt at goal compared to Eastleigh's double figures and yet they now found themselves a goal behind. A free kick on the right hand side from Gleeson was headed towards goal at the back post where Matthews parried kindly into the path of DANNY CLAY who reacted quickest to the mistake and was on hand to tap home from two yards.

Andy Forbes was soon introduced for Brown and the striker who is still recuperating from his long injury lay-off so nearly brought with him instant results.

Excellent hold up play by Adeniyi started the move off, which Bodkin continued with a dangerous cross that sat up well for Forbes. The former FA Vase winning hot shot rose high and got in a great looping header that came back off the post.

Baird had to go more attacking-minded sooner rather than later and did just that by replacing Trevor Challis with the fresh legs of Adam Roberts in the 78^th minute, as the Spitfires played out the remaining twelve minutes with three at the back in order to try and salvage a point.

For all of Eastleigh's efforts it just wasn't quite happening as Dorchester sat back and got men behind the ball and snuffed out what little penetration was thrown at them.

Town were intent on winning back the ball and going for the counter attack and may well have settled matters as Nick Crittenden broke on one such occasion before forcing a good save out of Matthews three minutes from time.

In the dieing stages of the game Eastleigh had a couple of half chances but nothing more as both Luke Byles, an off-balance header from a Taggart free kick that was just too high, and similarly in injury time, Forbes couldn't keep his header down from a Bodkin corner.

The final action saw Warren Goodhind robbed in a precarious position leaving the Spitfires wide open at the back. Wes Fogden, who had won the ball high up the park, had fed the ball through to Ryan Moss who shot across goal and narrowly wide having found himself clean through.

In reflection Eastleigh probably had enough about them to deserve at the very least a share of the spoils, but in football it is not about how much possession you have or how many chances you create it is about what you do with them and fair play to Dorchester Town who stuck to their task and became the first side to come away with three points at the Silverlake Stadium in the league this season.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 0–1 Dorchester

Goal bonanza ends in a draw

EASTLEIGH v HAYES & YEADING UNITED

SATURDAY 18th OCTOBER 2008
Blue Square South

By Jamie Montigue

This top of the table clash saw sixth placed Eastleigh take on third placed Hayes & Yeading United.

Eastleigh have had a troublesome week or so with the exit of two important cup competitions leading to several cut backs being made due to the loss of what has been estimated at approximately £20,000.

Spitfires legend David Hughes has already left the club this week by mutual consent as has six goal striker James Baker who is believed to have moved to Welling United.

Warren Goodhind meanwhile, who was said to be released in a club statement last weekend, looks to see out the remainder of the month at the club before the reduction in wages at the beginning of November. The South African centre half lined up along side Tom Jordan this afternoon in the heart of the defence in place of the injured Trevor Challis.

In attack Jamie Brown came in to fill the void left by the departed James Baker. These the only two changes from the starting line up who failed to beat Burgess Hill Town last weekend.

The first half was somewhat eventful with four goals shared between the two sides and it was Eastleigh who started the game at blistering pace looking to keep their 100% home league record running.

Barely two minutes had been played when ANTHONY RIVIERE capitalised on a defensive error by Steven Perkins winning possession in front of goal and with it presenting himself with the simple task of slotting past an unguarded Delroy Preddie for the opening goal of the game.

It really could not have got much better for Ian Baird's Spitfires who doubled their advantage just six minutes later.

Hold up play down the left hand side by firstly Matt Groves, and then Matt Bodkin saw the ball rolled back to Luke Byles who delivered the perfect out-swinging cross to pick out JAMIE BROWN with precision. Brown glanced the ball back across the goalkeeper and into the corner of goal much to the delight of the Eastleigh faithful.

The Spitfires really should have made it three when Peter Adeniyi forced a corner kick in the 11^th minute. Tony Taggart's delivery saw Tom Jordan win the header well, knocking the ball down into the path of Luke Byles who was just two yards out, but the former Havant & Waterlooville defender didn't connect and his tame effort was kept out.

Fifteen minutes in, Riviere won possession high up the park nicking the ball off James Mulley but failed to trouble Preddie with a sliced effort.

Hayes & Yeading's first two opportunities came in the 19^th and 20^th minutes. Kieran Knight backed in to Andy Harris, spun well but fired harmlessly high over the cross bar and a minute later captain Nevin Saroya headed wide from a corner.

Matt Groves and Jamie Brown combined to good effect in attack, the latter latching on to a good ball into feet and volleying towards goal only to see the effort fly wide of goal.

A further positive move from Eastleigh saw impressive build up play with a Brazilian flick by Bodkin, the ball was then sprayed out wide and when the cross came in Brown met it with a decent downward header that was saved low down by Preddie.

Out of nothing midway through the half, a surging run through the middle of the park saw the powerful JOSH SCOTT leave his markers behind him as he kept his composure and slotted the ball past Jason Matthews to pull a goal back and halve the deficit.

A minute later a clever ball over the top from Taggart set Groves free who flicked the ball over the goalkeeper's head though it was unfortunately slightly off target.

It was the visitors who ended the half the stronger side having gained the ascendancy from Scott's goal. On the half hour mark Knight out-muscled Goodhind, knocked the ball over his marker before unleashing a powerful volley that Matthews could only parry straight out in front of goal. A couple of red shirts were sniffing around for the rebound but Tom Jordan had got back well to get their first and head behind for a corner kick.

Nine minutes before the break a corner from Steven Gregory was flicked on by Saroya at the near post for JOSH SCOTT to help himself to his second goal of the game as he arrived unmarked and couldn't miss with the side foot effort.

The bubble had suddenly burst for Eastleigh after an excellent start.

On the stroke of half time a flowing move from Eastleigh with Byles at the heart of it building the move up from the left, the patient approach saw the ball worked into the penalty area where Adeniyi let the ball run for Brown whose attempt was well saved.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 2–2 Hayes & Yeading United

Matters took a further turn for the worse as Eastleigh fell behind for the first time in the game just two minutes in.

The second half began in similar fashion to the way the game started, only this time it was the visitors who grabbed the early goal. Josh Scott did well down the left but Eastleigh made a mess of getting the danger clear. The ball falling to KIERAN KNIGHT 8-yards from goal who blasted the ball into the top corner with a ferocious strike.

Eastleigh hit back through JAMIE BROWN who grabbed his second of the game turning home Tony Taggart's pin point cross to level things up once more at 3-3.

The game was proving to be thoroughly entertaining and the end to end action brought a lot of chances for either team.

Hayes & Yeading were looking dangerous on the counter attack and on one such quick breakaway, the visitors squandered a good opportunity two minutes short of the hour mark. A cross from the right by James Mulley found Ram Marwa free in the middle who, fortunately for Eastleigh, scuffed his shot.

Two minutes later, Matt Groves landed awkwardly twisting his leg and could not play any further part, Andy Forbes came on to replace the former Dorchester Town forward.

Eastleigh, this time made a swift break up the field with Byles and Bodkin bringing the ball forward. It came out to Taggart who picked out Forbes in the middle, but the goal-getter got his feet tangled as he slid in and could not find the finish the attacking move deserved.

Warren Goodhind had his head in his hands as he missed a real chance from a Matt Bodkin corner in the 65^th minute. Preddie came for the ball and missed it, though Goodhind at the far post could only slice the ball off target.

Adam Roberts replaced Bodkin shortly after, before a Taggart free kick was unluckily headed narrowly wide of goal by Tony Taggart.

With twenty minutes remaining, Andy Forbes forced a fine save out of Preddie following some great football as his shot across goal from the edge of the area had to be tipped round the post for a corner kick. From the resulting set piece, Goodhind was unable to turn the ball home as he again found himself in space.

A superb intervention from Byles broke up a dangerous attack from the visitors, and Luke continued with the ball out of defence and playing a delightful ball over the top for Tony Taggart. Taggart was on side and in space, but as he bore down on goal he decided to cut inside which allowed the defence to get back into position and the chance was gone.

Seven minutes from time, Andy Forbes headed just wide from an Andy Harris right wing cross.

Right to the final whistle there was goalmouth action as both sides tried to steal all three points.

In the 89^th minute, a long drop kick from Preddie sat up for Scott Fitzgerald, who brought the ball down and went for goal with an overhead kick trying to catch Matthews out. The speculative effort was a mere inches away from goal.

Neil Davies replaced the excellent Jamie Brown in the closing stages, and it looked as though the late substitute had done enough to turn the game Eastleigh's way when he was tugged in the penalty area, his shirt nearly ripped off his back. The referee wasn't interested and instead play continued with Hayes & Yeading looking to catch Eastleigh out on the break.

Goodhind brought down Josh Scott picking up a yellow card and conceding a free kick. Will Hendry wasted the chance from a decent position, striking the ball into the wall. The follow up was then deflected for a corner ball, which was headed home and could so cruelly have undone all of Eastleigh's hard work and been such a nightmare end to the game for Eastleigh.

However, the referee this time was well placed and noticed an infringement and thankfully it finished 3-3.

An excellent team performance against an in-form side, and still Eastleigh have yet to lose at home in the league.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 3-3 Hayes & Yeading United

Match pictures by Jozef Montigue

Check out the gallery here:

The Latest from the Daily Echo, Baker next to go

By Adrian Kajumba - full stories in today's

Ex-Saint Hughes leaves Eastleigh

FORMER Saints midfielder David Hughes has left Eastleigh by mutual consent.

The 35 year-old player/assistant manager, who has been instrumental in Eastleigh’s rise up the non-league pyramid in recent years, agreed to leave The Spitfires in order to help the club reduce its wage budget and at the same time try and get first team football elsewhere.

The Spitfires financial problems have been well documented, with the club having lost a six-figure sum of sponsorship income and an estimated further £20,000 as a result of two cup defeats last week.

Hughes joined Eastleigh in June 2002 from Saints where injury brought a premature end to his professional career.

Back then Eastleigh were in the Wessex League but in Hughes' first season they won the title to earn promotion to the Southern League.

While making over 250 appearances for the Stoneham Lane club, scoring 38 goals, Hughes also helped Eastleigh up to the Blue Square South, after they switched from the Southern to the Ryman League for the 2004/05 season.

A statement released by the club read: "Eastleigh Football Club can today confirm that we have agreed (by mutual consent) to release David Hughes.

"As is typical of Hughsey, he has agreed to leave the Club in order to help reduce our costs and, at the same time, in order to ensure first team football for himself in the twilight of his career.

"David Hughes has been an integral part of the rise through the Leagues for EFC. Since joining the Club from Southampton in 2002, he has made well in excess of 250 appearances – many more than any other current player.

"He has also worked tirelessly to promote the Club, and was instrumental in encouraging other ex Saints players (Matt Le Tissier, Francis Benali, Jason Dodd et al) to adorn Eastleigh colours.

"During the past two seasons, Dave has acted as both Manager and Assistant Manager and has always been 100% behind the Club.

"This Club owes David Hughes an immense debt of gratitude, and of course we wish him well for the remainder of his career. He will always be welcome at the Silverlake Stadium."

No need for life jackets as Baird keeps the faith

THINGS could go one of two ways for Eastleigh after a difficult couple of weeks for the club, according to manager Ian Baird.

But there is only one he expects to see.

The Spitfires lost three times in seven days last week, including two cup defeats which director of football David Malone estimated would cost the club about £20,000 in prize money.

Coupled with the loss of a six figure-sum of sponsorship income, the club were forced to announce an across-the-board pay cut starting next month in a bid to help ensure it remains financially sustainable.

The news has no doubt created an uncertain atmosphere at the Silverlake Stadium with the players among those having to contemplate their futures.

Baird said: “There are two ways you can look at the situation.

“One is that everybody sticks together, we dig in and make the best of the situation and hopefully it can drive us on to success.

“What success I am looking at this moment, though, I don’t know.

“On the other side of the coin, the wheels could fall off, everybody could put life jackets on and jump off the ship as soon as they can and the season could be a disaster purely on a survival basis.

“But I have got every faith in the players and the staff we have got at the club that everybody will stick together.”

The effects of this week’s developments have been immediately felt by Baird.

Defender Warren Goodhind’s release was announced at the same time as news of the pay cut.

And player/assistant manager Dave Hughes and striker James Baker, who has agreed a deal to join Blue Square South side Welling, have also followed Goodhind through the exit door.

Baird said: “We have worked extremely hard since pre-season to try and turn things around and improve on what we had before.

“So it’s very disappointing to lose three players very quickly, but I am crossing my fingers and legs that I won’t lose any more.”

Links:

• http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/football/3762720.Ex_Saint_Hughes_leaves_Eastleigh/
  

• http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/football/3766010.No_need_for_life_jackets_as_Baird_keeps_the_faith/
  

Eastleigh Football Club can today confirm that we have agreed (by mutual consent) to release David Hughes.

As is typical of Hughsey, he has agreed to leave the Club in order to help reduce our costs and, at the same time, in order to ensure first team football for himself in the twilight of his career.

David Hughes has been an integral part of the rise through the Leagues for EFC. Since joining the Club from Southampton in 2002, he has made well in excess of 250 appearances – many more than any other current player. He has also worked tirelessly to promote the Club, and was instrumental in encouraging other ex Saints players (Matt Le Tissier, Francis Benali, Jason Dodd et al) to adorn Eastleigh colours. During the past two seasons, Dave has acted as both Manager and Assistant Manager and has always been 100% behind the Club.

This Club owes David Hughes an immense debt of gratitude, and of course we wish him well for the remainder of his career. He will always be welcome at the Silverlake Stadium.

Budget reduced to sustainable level as pay cuts are put in place

By Adrian Kajumba - full stories in today's

Cash-strapped Eastleigh call for player loyalty

EASTLEIGH director of football Dave Malone has called for a show of loyalty from the club’s players after they were told they will have to take a wage cut from next month.

The bad news was delivered to the playing squad and coaching staff at an emergency meeting late on Monday in response to The Spitfires losing “a six-figure sum” of income from sponsorship as the effects of the credit crunch begin to take hold in the non-league game.

That financial hit was compounded by two cup defeats last week, which cost the Stoneham Lane club £10,500 in prize money.

Director of football Malone also predicted that, with the loss of gate receipts from at least two additional ties, the club has missed out on a total of £20,000.

The double financial whammy resulted in the club having to come up with a way to “reduce the (wage) budget to an amount we are confident of sustaining.”

A club statement on the Eastleigh FC Message Board read as follows:

"EFC Board members held a constructive and informative meeting with all members of the playing and coaching staff on Monday evening.

At that meeting it was explained to all present that the present economic climate had led to a considerable reduction in our sponsorship income. This in turn has made in necessary for us to review our football budget for the remainder of this season.

The Board has decided to reduce the budget to an amount that we are confident of sustaining. In order to achieve that objective, and in preference to the release of several players, we have taken the following action.

(1) The immediate release of Warren Goodhind - who was a non contract player

(2) Loan arrangements will be sought for several other non contract players

(3) A proportionate salary reduction - which will remain private - will be implemented throughout the playing & coaching staff from 1st November."

The Board is appreciative of the manner in which this news was received, and understands the discomfort that this might cause. However, in the long term interests of Eastleigh Football Club we consider such a move to be both prudent and necessary."

Eastleigh boss willing to take pay cut

EASTLEIGH manager Ian Baird has urged everyone connected with the club to try to stick together during difficult times for the Spitfires.

Baird said he was “more than prepared” to lead from the front and accept the wage cut offered to the players and coaching staff by the club because “the most important thing is Eastleigh Football Club."

The club came to that decision after losing a “six figure sum” in sponsorship income, and suffering two cup defeats in the last week at an estimated total cost of around £20,000 to the club.

And Baird said: “It hurts deeply what’s happened. But what’s happened has happened and you can’t do anything about that.

“My message to everybody at the club and the supporters is let’s try and stick together. We are desperate to do well for Eastleigh and we will try to do our best for Eastleigh.”

Links:

• http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/football/3757155.Cash_strapped_Eastleigh_call_for_player_loyalty/

• http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/football/3757177.Eastleigh_boss_willing_to_take_pay_cut/
  

Eastleigh feel the pinch after another cup exit

BURGESS HILL TOWN v EASTLEIGH

SATURDAY 11th OCTOBER 2008
FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round

By Ray Murphy

Eastleigh provided a disappointing performance to exit the F A Cup at the Third Qualifying Round stage at Ryman League Premier Division side Burgess Hill Town. Keeping faith with the starting eleven that had been defeated by Havant & Waterlooville four days earlier, James Baker passing a fitness test to take his place in the side.

Eastleigh started on top. After two minutes Tony Taggart's free kick was turned away by home goalkeeper Craig Stoner. Seven minutes later Matt Bodkin's pass into Matt Groves saw the striker’s weak finish easy to collect for Stoner. A Taggart cross on seventeen minutes saw Baker's header saved by Stoner. On twenty minutes Anthony Riviere and Peter Adeniyi exchanged passes on the edge of the box, Adeniyi then strode into the area before sending a shot across the face of goal with nobody able to add a finishing touch. Groves was unable to fully control a ball into the box on his chest and as he turned to produce his shot a defender cleared the ball, Groves catching the defender to earn himself a yellow card which was to prove much more serious later on.

In the twenty-fifth minute, another Taggart free kick struck Adeniyi in the area and the ball rolled just wide of the target. As Eastleigh continued to miss chances the home side visibly grew in confidence. Burgess Hill's first attempt did not arrive until the twenty-ninth minute when skipper Steve Harper had a shot pushed away by Jason Matthews. A minute later Dan Beck had a shot blocked by Luke Byles.

Inevitably after the possession that Eastleigh had enjoyed thus far, they went behind after thirty-nine minutes. Richard Greenfield’s shot was parried by Matthews the ball falling for Harper to turn the ball back into the net.

Within three minutes of the restart Taggart's cross into the area was again inviting but no one in an Eastleigh shirt was able to get on the end of it. In the fifty-fourth minute there was further bad news for Eastleigh as they went two goals behind. A long ball out of the Burgess Hill defence saw Harper collect the ball before sending the ball over the advancing Matthews and into the net.

As the afternoon grew worse for Eastleigh, Groves chased the ball on sixty two minutes from an offside decision, fired the ball into the back of the net but was then shown a second yellow card by referee Stephen Daly for kicking the ball away. Burgess Hill's towering centre back Danny Gainsford received the same treatment eight minutes later as he hoisted the ball high into the sky after the whistle had been blown for an infringement.

For the last quarter of an hour Eastleigh went in all out attack to try to get themselves back into the game. Riviere twice fired just off target from outside the area. But as they pressed forward they also left gaps at the back, Ben Johnson took advantage of one breakaway taking on Andy Harris then drilled his shot across the face of goal but away to safety. Harper played the ball into Johnson again three minutes later but a lack of composure saw the ball dragged wide of the target.

As Eastleigh quickly moved the ball to the other end of the park, Byles’ cross arrived for Taggart to fire over the bar. With two minutes of the original ninety remaining Taggart headed home a cross from Adeniyi to give Eastleigh a slight lifeline with an additional five minutes added time also to be played. A Jamie Brown header from Taggart's free kick was saved by Stoner then Riviere slid a shot past Stoner only for the ball to strike the upright.

But it was not going to come right for Eastleigh; Burgess Hill took the full applause at the end of the ninety minutes to take their place in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the F A Cup.

An announcement on the club's messageboard from Director of Football Dave Malone revealed that the Board will be meeting with the manager, coaching staff and players this week with regard to the playing budget for the rest of the season.

The statement read: "We can confirm that members of the Board of Eastleigh Football Club will be holding discussions with the Manager, Coaching Staff and players over the next few days, in order to confirm our playing budget for the remainder of this season.

Along with every other Football Club, we have suffered directly from the on-going "credit crunch" - with a substantial reduction in our sponsorship income. This in turn has had a detrimental effect on our cash flow, and following our exit from 2 Cup Competitions in the past week it would be remiss of the Board not to seek appropriate action.

We would wish to make it clear that any action we might favour, will be in the full knowledge of and with the full co-operation of the Manager."

Hawks steal fortunate cup win in injury time over tireless, ten man Eastleigh

EASTLEIGH v HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE

TUESDAY 7th OCTOBER 2008
Setanta Shield Round 2

By Jamie Montigue

EASTLEIGH – Jason Matthews, Andy Harris ©, Trevor Challis, Anthony Riviere, Tom Jordan, Luke Byles, Peter Adeniyi, Tony Taggart, Matt Groves, James Baker, Matt Bodkin

Subs: Neil Davies, Gareth Howells, Andy Forbes, David Hughes, Adam Roberts.

HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE – Kevin Scriven, Jay Smith, Jay Gasson, Jamie Collins ©, Gary Elphick, Ian Simpemba, Matt Gray, Gary Holloway, Luke Nightingale, Paul Booth, Brett Poate

Subs: Danny Webb, Steven Walker, Shaun Wilkinson, Jamie Slabber, Nathan Ashmore.

In this Setanta Shield 2^nd Round tie the Spitfires took on local rivals Havant and Waterlooville in an exciting cup encounter that was made all the more important by the money at stake for tonight's winners.

An eventful first half started in the worst possible manner for the hosts as Ian Baird's side, against his former club, were reduced to ten men.

With just six minutes on the clock, Andy Harris went in for a 50:50 challenge with Brett Poate not far from the half way line.

Poate went to ground hobbling about under the heavy but fair challenge, with the Eastleigh skipper playing the ball right under the noses of the Havant dugout as manager Shaun Gale and the rest of the dugout influenced the referee by waving their arms about making the challenge out to be worse than it was.

Out came a straight red card for the extremely hard done by Harris, and Eastleigh were now down to ten men.

Not the start that Baird had been planning on. He now had to readjust tactics and his approach to the game in it's entirety.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Spitfires had the better of the chances and most impressively played the better football.

In the fourteenth minute, Peter Adeniyi rolled the ball across to former Hawk Tony Taggart, whose shot from 35 yards flew wide of the upright.

Three minutes later, Adeniyi forced a corner as his attempt was deflected behind by Ian Simpemba.

James Baker came within a whisker with a brilliant effort that dipped narrowly over the cross bar, and at this point it would have been difficult to tell which side were playing with a man down.

It wasn't until almost half an hour of football that Havant & Waterlooville threatened. A teasing cross from the right flank flew across the six yard box where the delivery only just evaded Luke Nightingale who was sliding in.

The ball came out to the left flank where Poate whipped in another cross. This time however, Jason Matthews punched the ball clear ahead of an oncoming attacker.

Much of Eastleigh's hard work was marred by the opening goal of the game, which broke the dead lock in the 37^th minute. A Havant corner kick from the far side found JAY GASSON who was in plenty of space around twenty yards out. The full back executed a well-timed volley that appeared to take a headed deflection past Matthews in a crowded six-yard box off an Eastleigh defender to give the visitors the lead.

Eastleigh hit back with an instant reply through JAMES BAKER. Taggart was the architect with tremendous wing play to make room for the cross and then deliver the inch perfect ball for Baker to rise well and head home from close range. A great equalising goal and fully deserved too.

Before the break Taggart continued to torment his former employers as he cut inside from a swift, counter-attacking Eastleigh move before firing towards goal. The ball struck Simpemba on it's way through to the goalkeeper Kevin Scriven.

The last of an all-action first half saw an audacious chip from deep by Jay Smith very nearly catch Matthews out. The ex-Weymouth stopper had to back pedal before catching underneath his cross bar.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 1-1 Havant & Waterlooville

The Spitfires forced an early corner inside the opening two minutes as Jason Matthews' long drop kick resulted in Adeniyi having a shot turned behind.

From the resulting set piece, MATT BODKIN scored what can only be described as a freak goal as he scored directly from the corner kick to give Eastleigh the lead for the first time in the game, much to the delight of the home support.

On the hour mark, Byles gave away a free kick to the left of goal, though Matthews need not worry as Matt Gray's shot cleared the stand!

Bizarrely the referee went to the ground in need of medical attention, something which is not seen all too often, and play was interrupted momentarily.

Eastleigh's first change saw David Hughes replace Bodkin in the 65^th minute, as Baird started thinking more defensively-minded to try and hold on to the lead.

Jamie Slabber, who had come on as a second half substitute for the Hawks, nipped in on a stray pass that fell short of Matthews and lifted the ball over the keeper coming close to Havant finding a way back into the game. A corner was given and Trevor Challis cleared the danger well with a powerful header.

With the game coming to a close, Eastleigh were beginning to come under a lot of pressure as Havant threw their everything forward in search of a goal.

For the most part the Spitfires held their own with Tom Jordan keeping things in order, ably supported by both Byles and Challis.

Other than a glancing header from Danny Webb, Matthews had little to do in the final ten minutes.

Eastleigh's final two substitutions saw Andy Forbes come on for Matt Groves and Tony Taggart make way for Neil Davies.

Having held the lead since early on in the second half, Eastleigh eventually caved in as Havant were thrown a lifeline of six minutes of injury time, and they took full advantage netting the equaliser and winning goal past the normal 90 minutes.

Giving a way a needless free kick on the far side, the Spitfires were made to pay. GARY HOLLOWAY scrambled the ball over the line in a chaotic penalty area to level things up before Havant wrapped up a late comeback with a last minute penalty.

Byles appeared to push Webb in the back in the penalty area, and JAMIE COLLINS made no mistake with a powerful spot kick into the corner.

Nobody can fault the efforts of the Eastleigh performance as every single player gave their all and did their very best, it was just a shame that decisions went against us on the night which greatly contributed to Havant progressing to the next round and Eastleigh missing out.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 2-3 Havant & Waterlooville

Photos kindly provided by Dave Haines

Check out the gallery here:

Chelmsford City 3-0 Eastleigh

CHELMSFORD CITY v EASTLEIGH



SATURDAY 4th OCTOBER 2008
Blue Square South

Report by Ray Murphy

Chelmsford City moved up into second place of the Blue Square South with a competent display against Eastleigh. Matt Bodkin and James Baker were relegated to the substitutes bench at the expense of David Hughes and Jamie Brown as Eastleigh took on a home side on a pitch that had a strong wind blowing the full length. City also included ex-Eastleigh players Bertie Brayley and Kevin James in their line up in a side recovering from the previous weeks F A Cup defeat at the hands of Bury Town of the BGB Midland Division.

Eastleigh started brightly and an Andy Harris cross in the sixth minute caused concern in the Chelmsford area before they managed to get the ball clear. Eastleigh went behind though on eleven minutes. Brayley and Ollie Berquez combined before Brayley was bundled over by Andy Harris. Dave Rainford stepped up and confidently sent Jason Matthews the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Immediately Eastleigh were back on the attack with Peter Adeniyi sending a cross that struck Brown and rolled agonisingly wide. The game settled into a midfield contest for a while before Brayley broke clear of the Eastleigh defence on twenty-six minutes but he was denied by the feet of Matthews. A quick break by Eastleigh followed and Tony Taggart fired over the top when the ball would not sit down for him.

The home side had two chances within a minute on the half hour. James’ cross was met with a Berquez header that brought a fine save by Matthews, from the subsequent James corner Rainford had a shot saved by Matthews. Eastleigh's next attempt came on the half time mark when Matt Groves' turn and shot from the edge of the area was saved by home goalkeeper Danny Gay.

Chelmsford started the second half in the ascendancy. Shortly into the second half James attempted a delicate chip to deceive Matthews, but the Eastleigh keeper managed to divert the ball over the bar. whilst Ricky Holmes also shot narrowly off target.

With fifty-six minutes played Chelmsford did net a second goal. Holmes’ cross into the box saw three Chelmsford players unmarked which allowed Rainford to slot home his second of the afternoon.

Baker came off the bench for Eastleigh on sixty-eight minutes and soon thought he was celebrating a goal, but his effort was disallowed for an infringement. Another attempt from Baker was saved by Gay.

The final and condemning third goal arrived two minutes into stoppage time. Played through by Jon Keeling, Rainford strode on to stroke home his hat trick goal.

Forbes hat trick in Spurs demolition

EASTLEIGH v FLEET SPURS

WEDNESDAY 10th OCTOBER 2008
Hampshire Senior Cup 2nd Round

By Jamie Montigue

In this Hampshire Senior Cup 2^nd round tie, Eastleigh took on Fleet Spurs at the Silverlake Stadium with a blend of youth and first team players.

Amongst the more experienced members in the starting line up were Gareth Howells and Tom Jordan at the back to provide a solid base, whilst David Hughes orchestrated the midfield alongside the fit again Neil Davies. Andy Forbes and James Baker provided a strong attacking force with Adam Roberts complementing those already mentioned and was a potent threat down the right flank.

Inside the first minute of the game an early cross from Taz saw Forbes head the ball down into the path of Davies whose attempt at goal was cleared away.

With eleven minutes played, James Baker forced a corner kick, from which, young central defender Tom Nicholas headed narrowly wide of the target.

The Spitfires took the lead just three minutes later. Fleet Spurs' David Drinkwater made a horrible mess of finding his goalkeeper and captain Ged Walker with the back pass, instead poking it past him and into the net for an own goal handing Eastleigh a 1-0 advantage.

In the seventeenth minute, David Hughes slipped a wonderful pass through for Forbes whose perfectly timed run was unfortunately not matched by the finish, which was off target.

James Baker forced a save out of Walker soon after with a header from James Powell's deep cross.

Eastleigh again could have increased their lead following excellent wing play from Taz who got at the full back, worked a bit of space before rolling the ball across goal. Forbes was on to it quickly but sliced the effort wide of goal with his weaker left foot.

The hosts continued their constant pressure with David Hughes playing a good ball into Baker from a free kick on the far side. The former Braintree Town striker's snapshot was very well saved by Walker who showed great reactions to keep out the powerful strike.

Spurs came the closest to a goal ten minutes before the break with a downward header from Sam Knowles.

Two minutes later Davies brought down Stan Grundy on the edge of the penalty area, conceding a free kick in a dangerous position, however the execution of the set piece was poor and straight into the wall. The follow up was not much better as the ball sailed well wide with Howells still to be tested.

In the closing stages of the half, a throw in by Fred Smart on the left was expertly headed on by Forbes into the path of Davies who missed a glorious opportunity when unchallenged as he couldn't keep the ball down.

The Spitfires doubled their advantage on the stroke of half time, JAMES BAKER the scorer slamming the ball home from 10 yards as the visitors failed to clear the danger.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 2-0 Fleet Spurs

Making an impressive start to the second half, James Baker held the ball up on the near side before finding room for the cross and picking out his strike partner. Forbes had made a good run to the near post and picked up on the delivery, clipping the ball first time towards goal and extremely unlucky to see it hit the top of the cross bar and go behind.

In the 53^rd minute, David Hughes played the ball into the feet of JAMES BAKER, who cut back on to his right foot picking out the corner of goal beautifully for his second and Eastleigh's third.

This proved to be Baker's last action as both he and David Hughes were given a rest being replaced by William Peauroux and Joe Maxwell.

On the hour mark, Taz continued to run his opponents ragged with the ball at his feet as he found Maxwell with a cross from the right. The latter went for the over head kick and came close with the fine effort.

Eastleigh, making things look easy, went four goals to the good when a corner from Roberts was headed home in fine fashion by the substitute JOE MAXWELL in the 67^th minute.

Peauroux keen to make an impact, drilled a low shot from the edge of the area inches wide of goal as he latched on to the loose ball from a weak defensive clearance soon after his introduction.

A wonderful sight which has proved to be all too familiar in the past, is that of ANDY FORBES finding the net. It was Eastleigh's top goalscorer who grabbed goal number five to prove that Forbes is well and truly on the comeback trail.

Just a minute later, Forbes so nearly doubled his tally from a left flank cross by Aaron Blaxall, but his acrobatic volley at the back post was met by an equally impressive save by Ged Walker.

The goals now coming thick and fast, and Fleet Spurs crumbling under each wave of Eastleigh pressure, ANDY FORBES bagged his second goal of the game stretching the Spitfires' advantage to 6-0. Aaron Blaxall's shot was too hot to handle and Forbes followed in well, keeping a cool head to casually lift the ball over Walker.

Eastleigh's third and final substitution saw Aaron Blaxall replaced by Chris Mason in the 81^st minute.

Four minutes from time, Maxwell played a square ball to his left to find Mason in acres of space though the shot failed to trouble the keeper.

Maxwell then was given a free header from close range from Peauroux's high ball into the penalty area but Walker kept it out.

At the opposite end, Howells' first save of the game saw the experienced goalkeper stand tall to block an attempt from Sam Knowles at his near post.

Taz crossed the ball in from the left wing this time where his delivery was headed behind by David Drinkwater under pressure from Davies. Completing a perfect night for Eastleigh, Andy Forbes rounded off the demolition with goal number seven, a sublime, powerful volley for his hat trick. Welcome back Forbesy!

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 7-0 Fleet Spurs

FA Cup 3rd Qualifying round draw

Eastleigh travel to Sussex on 11th October to face Burgess Hill Town of the Ryman Isthmian League in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round.

Burgess Hill drew 0-0 with the Rocks on Saturday 27th September at home, before running out 2-0 winners in the replay with the Blue Square South club, three days later.

The draw in full can be found here.