Eastleigh end Havant hoodoo in famous win over rivals

EASTLEIGH v HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE

SATURDAY 29th NOVEMBER 2008
Blue Square South

Report by Jamie Montigue

Eastleigh finally broke their Havant & Waterlooville hoodoo with a fine performance over their rivals in this local derby.

Ian Baird stuck with the same side that won their second successive win away from home in the league against Team Bath in midweek against his former charges.

The hosts exerted the early pressure with one of several former Hawks in the Eastleigh line up, Tony Taggart drilling a free kick straight at the wall as Anthony Riviere won a free kick just seconds into the game.

Several corners followed for the Spitfires as they threatened to find an early goal and make use of their pressure in the opening stages.

Top goalscorer Andy Forbes, who put in a man of the match winning performance at Team Bath in the last game where he showed great versatility in doing a fine job at centre half, continued where he left off alongside Tom Jordan who together formed a formidable defensive partnership at the heart of the defence.

In the fourth minute of the game Forbes came close from a Taggart delivery but fired just over the bar with the Hawks on the back foot early doors. Meanwhile Jay Gasson at the opposite end, forced a comfortable save out of Jason Matthews with a half volley moments later.

Peter Adeniyi worked the ball nicely down the left hand side and made room to play the ball into the feet of Matt Groves. The striker backed into his marker and laid the ball off to Taggart who fired low and hard, but the effort was just off target.

Too often the referee failed to let the game flow as he persistently stopped the game for anything and everything, which sadly dampened the encounter somewhat as a spectacle. The stop-start approach that the match official consistently took, saw both sides have more than their fair share of set pieces throughout the game.

On a quarter of an hour, an in-swinging corner from Taggart saw Havant goalkeeper Kevin Scriven punch the ball into the air where it dropped dangerously in front of goal, only for the man with the gloves to recover quickly.

Four minutes later, a decent ball in from the right by Steve Clark saw Tom Jordan show great skills for a towering defender when up for a set piece as he back-heeled the ball into the penalty area in behind the Havant defence where it so nearly fell for Jamie Brown.

Shaun Gale's side had their best opportunity of the game when former Spitfire and on-loan Salisbury City striker Robbie Matthews glance a header towards goal only to be thwarted by the sublime reactions of namesake Jason Matthews, who was quick to tip the ball over the cross bar to keep the ball out from point blank range.

Just two minutes shy of half an hour played, Brown stole in at the far post and was very unfortunate to see his header come back off the cross bar as he connected with a Taggart cross before Eastleigh broke the deadlock in the 38^th minute.

The opening goal of the game came from ANTHONY RIVIERE who rounded off a well-worked move that saw Taggart's looping cross to the far post headed back across goal and into the danger zone by Peter Adeniyi. Riviere turned the ball home for his seventh goal of the season to give Eastleigh a well-earned lead at the break.

Havant & Waterlooville had one final chance at the end of the first half when Eastleigh skipper Andy Harris tripped Paul Booth just outside the penalty area to the left of goal. Gary Holloway went for goal but couldn't quite execute it as well as he would have liked as the ball flew harmlessly high and wide.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 1–0 Havant & Waterlooville

Into the second half, conditions worsened with the bitter cold turning to a heavy downpour of rain.

Eastleigh showed no let up with their strongest defensive display of the season as Havant tried unsuccessfully to find a way back into the match.

Both Paul Booth and Luke Nightingale were kept out in the 55^th minute when a downward header from Robbie Matthews was comfortably dealt with by the impenetrable Spitfires back line who offered solid protection to their goalkeeper Jason Matthews, who was very rarely troubled as a result.

A couple of corners followed for the visitors, but again Havant were restricted. The best they could muster was an outrageous acrobatic, overhead attempt from centre back Gary Elphick from 20 yards that was watched safely well wide of the post.

Again the game stopped unnecessarily too often, however Eastleigh stuck to their game plan and kept plugging away.

The first change of the game saw Charlie Henry inject a bit of liveliness and pace to Gale's out of sorts Havant side though Eastleigh were in such good form all across the park that they were able to hold their own and keep hold of their slender lead.

Firstly in the 70^th minute Henry saw his swerving free kick from range fumbled by Jason Matthews initially though the Eastleigh number one made amends in clutching the ball quickly at the second attempt.

Five minutes later Henry's second free kick was off target before the Spitfires wrapped up the win seven minutes from time.

It was like Christmas had come early this year for Ian Baird and Matt Gray and everyone involved with the club as second half substitute MATT BODKIN raced through to ensure victory. Peter Adeniyi won back possession in the middle of the park before slipping a fine through ball down the touchline. Bodkin had too much pace and left his opponent in his wake as the winger latched on to the pass and placed a low shot across Scriven and into the bottom corner.

The celebrations were enough to show anyone just what the goal meant to the club with the Silverlake Stadium erupting in joy at the realisation that Eastleigh had finally triumphed over their 'bogey' side.

Not even the five minutes of injury time added on could stop the home fans singing and dancing right to the final whistle, as they showed tremendous support from start to finish.

The sour memories of last month's Setanta Shield exit at the hands of Havant were long gone. As we know today's visitors came from behind with two goals in injury time the last time the two sides met, but there was no such luck this time around.

Andy Forbes was in truly inspired form at the back showing just as much quality as a defender as he does as a striker banging in the goals. No doubt this will be a pleasant dilemma for Baird as to whether he keeps him at the back where he wins literally everything in the air or put him back up front to make use of his undoubted prowess in front of goal.

Either way, this was a tremendous win all round in a very spirited and determined performance from the lads in what was Eastleigh's third successive league win and only their third clean sheet of the season (their first since August).

Eastleigh have now climbed their way to third in the table after this historic result and who knows where the rest of the season will take them. Whatever happens this is a new high point for the club after all of the cup woes, and the club will now go into Tuesday's nights trip to AFC Wimbledon in buoyant mood.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 2-0 Havant & Waterlooville

Match pictures by Jozef Montigue

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Match pictures courtesy of Dave Haines

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Second successive comfortable away win for Eastleigh

TEAM BATH v EASTLEIGH



TUESDAY 25th NOVEMBER 2008
Blue Square South

Report by Ray Murphy

What a difference seventy-two hours in football makes. From an extremely disappointing F A Trophy exit at the hands of Bashley, Eastleigh returned to take three points in an away fixture against a side in the top tier of the table for a second successive away fixture.

It was not as if the evening started easily for The Spitfires either. With Warren Goodhind failing a fitness test and Trevor Challis out injured, Andy Forbes was forced to take the more unfamiliar role of centre back. It came really as no surprise at the end of the match that Forbes had given a man of the match performance. Jamie Brown returned to the strike force to partner Matt Groves whilst Luke Byles returned from suspension to fill the left back role allowing Steve Clark to move forward into the midfield.

The reunited strike force linked in the fourth minute with Brown flicking on Clark's pass to allow Groves to shoot past Team Bath goalkeeper Darren Chitty on his 200th appearance for the home side.

It was fortunate that the game did have such an explosive opening, as the next thirty-nine minutes produced no goalmouth drama. Team Bath held a lot of possession during that time but Eastleigh keeper Jason Matthews was never troubled and his opposite number Chitty also had a comfortable evening. Despite having worked hard to gain possession through the half, Eastleigh added a second goal in the forty third minute. Groves helped on Andy Harris' cross and Tony Taggart struck a left foot shot beyond Chitty in to the corner of the net.

Eastleigh had the better of the exchanges with the Bath slope in their favour for the opening to the second period. On fifty-seven minutes a Groves cushioned header allowed Anthony Riviere a shot that was just wide. A minute later Harris’ long-range free kick almost caught Chitty straying from his line, but he recovered to field the shot. Immediately Taggart's corner saw Brown's header saved by Chitty.

Team Bath completed a triple substitution on sixty-three minutes but this made little impact on the game. Gary Warren's header from a free kick was saved by Matthews then in the seventy first minute Matthews did produce an excellent stop to deny Ben Thomson and Team Bath realised it was not going to be their evening.

On seventy-five minutes Eastleigh killed the game with a third goal. Taggart's left wing cross arrived at the far post for Peter Adeniyi to fire home his second goal in three games.

Team Bath produced a tame free kick effort from Marc Canham that was straight at Matthews and Matt Bodkin saw a shot saved by Chitty as the game ran its course to the ninetieth minute.

The only blot on the evening for Eastleigh was in the second minute of stoppage time they allowed Team Bath substitute Matt Cooper to scramble the ball home from a corner kick for no more than a consolation goal but still denying Eastleigh a clean sheet, which strangely enough they have only done in two league games so far this season and they both came in the opening three matches of the campaign.

Second-best Eastleigh exit another cup

EASTLEIGH v BASHLEY

SATURDAY 22nd NOVEMBER 2008
FA Challenge Trophy 3rd Round

By Jamie Montigue

Eastleigh exit yet another cup competition as they fell dismally at home this afternoon to Southern Premier League side Bashley.

Falling behind after just seven minutes, Eastleigh got off to a horrid start as visiting Bashley opened the scoring in this FA Trophy cup tie.

After such a good away win in the league last weekend with a 1-4 win over Maidenhead United, surely another cup exit could not be on the cards this afternoon, could it? What a difference a week makes it football.

Bashley certainly seemed to be more determined and once they went ahead, not once did they look like giving it up, neither did Eastleigh threaten to put up a fight to get back on level terms. The visitors were here for nothing less than a win as their early intentions proved.

Throughout a dismal first half Eastleigh had just two clear-cut chances but could not make the most of either. The longer the half wore on, the more it was looking to be Bashley's day.

Seconds into the game, a long ball forward from skipper Andy Harris fell kindly for Anthony Riviere who forced an early corner. Tony Taggart delivered with his left peg from the near side and struck the upright directly from his flag kick.

In the second minute of the game, Andy Forbes sliced his volleyed clearance back out to James Rowe who whipped in a dangerous delivery. Dave Middleton arrived at the back post and flashed his header wide of goal as Eastleigh were given an early warning sign of what was to come.

Then with only seven minutes played, the lively Richard Gillespie fed the ball through to JAMES ROWE out on the right who got the better of Steve Clark and finished emphatically past a helpless Jason Matthews with Ian Baird's Spitfires looking shell-shocked.

The first of only two clear opportunities for the hosts fell to Matt Groves and was arguably the easier of the two. A defensive error by Middleton inside the penalty area gifted the ball straight to Groves, who from just six yards placed a weak shot straight at a thankful goalkeeper, David Elm.

Having missed a golden chance to make it 1-1, Eastleigh's second big opening also came inside the opening twenty minutes. Matt Bodkin attacked full back and former Spitfire Peter Castle, where he then put a lovely ball in across the face of goal. Elm, the Bashley stopper, dropped the ball at his near post right on to the head of Andy Forbes. Only David Elm will know how he managed to recover and get across his goal to keep out Forbes' header from a mere two yards.

Better football from Eastleigh saw a deep ball in from Andy Harris dummied well by Groves for his striker partner Forbes who won a corner. Tony Taggart's delivery found Groves with his back to goal from close range, where the former Dorchester Town forward could only fire wide on the turn.

Meanwhile, Richard Gillespie who scored twice in the last round to ensure victory and set up today's local Hampshire Derby, continued to impress as he cut in from the left and fired a low shot towards goal that brushed the side netting at Matthews' near post.

Eastleigh showed some promise but failed to deliver in the final third. Matt Bodkin carried the ball a long way on the counter attack as he left his marker for dead. Neat interplay from Peter Adeniyi saw the ball worked into Forbes who in turn set up Riviere. An excellent parry from Elm kept out Riviere's low attempt.

With 31 minutes played, Bashley doubled their lead through DAVE ALLEN. A corner kick on the far side was turned home by the tall front man with a great header, though Eastleigh's marking was extremely questionable.

From here on it was all about whether Eastleigh could respond or not, and whether they were up for the fight. Sadly the answer to both of the questions were a resounding no.

Bashley threatened to make it 3-0 just before half time when Rowe angled in a dangerous free kick from the left that narrowly evaded three or four players in gold shirts running in free at the back post.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 0-2 Bashley

The second half was not much better and in all honesty Bashley deserved to go on and win by three or four goals, which they would have were it not for a string of fine saves from an inspired Jason Matthews.

Barely a minute in, Andy Harris was shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Gillespie towards the corner flag.

It was not long before Matthews was called into action as Peter Castle's diving header was denied by a splendid save from Matthews as Charlie Knight's cross sat up kindly.

Richard Gillespie fed the ball through to Dave Allen moments later though the half volley was harmless.

In the 49^th minute, Eastleigh came close but again lacked a bit of composure in front of goal. Matt Groves pulled the ball back to the penalty spot where Peter Adeniyi ran in and pulled the trigger only to be thwarted by Elm who made a great stop with his legs.

Eastleigh turned to Jamie Brown seven minutes into the second half as he was sent on in place of Matt Groves.

Other than a half chance from Andy Forbes who glanced a header wide of goal from a left wing cross, there was very little promise or penetration as Bashley more than held their own.

Three minutes shy of the hour, Matt Parnell forced a delightful one-handed save out of Matthews. Once again the marking was poor as Rowe's free kick picked out the centre back with ease. It could quite easily have been the third goal.

Taggart hit a first time shot on the up from a quick throw by Harris and lay off by Adeniyi, but with the keeper motionless, the decent attempt was watched safely wide of the mark.

Tireless running from Gillespie caused many problems for Eastleigh and on one such occasion, the forward left Tom Jordan for dead with great pace before getting to the byline and sending in a great ball with his left foot. Only needing a finishing touch, Eastleigh were lucky to survive.

Trevor Challis was on the pitch a bare three minutes when he was hit by a dreadful challenge by Peter Castle. Castle dived into the tackle with both feet of the ground and caught the left back horrendously high up the leg and getting nowhere near the ball. Referee Carl Brook deemed the challenge worthy of a yellow card only, but in my opinion Castle could count himself very fortunate to still be on the pitch.

A very sad sight indeed saw Challis stretchered off the pitch. Baird had to shuffle things once more as Aaron Martin entered the fray coming on to replace the injured defender.

Matthews made yet another blinding save from a Gillespie header fifteen minutes from time and Eastleigh by now had run out of ideas in this flat, bleak and ultimately disappointing performance.

In to the final ten minutes Jamie Brown's speculative half volley swerved just wide from distance, before Eastleigh's best attempt of the half saw Andy Forbes go extremely close when played in by Adeniyi. The goal-getter who had four goals in two games coming into today's cup tie, got the ball on to his right foot and hit a fine strike that whistled only an inch over the cross bar.

Eastleigh's final attempt saw Forbes kept out once more from a Harris corner, with Riviere's follow up attempt driven wildly and comfortably off target.

Two minutes from time, Matt Finlay rolled the ball across the edge of the 18-yard box for Justin Keeler who left fly with a powerful effort that was met by a terrific acrobatic save from Matthews, who tipped over.

Bashley continued their pressure on Eastleigh's goal and Matthews was there again to push the ball away from danger direct from a corner kick.

The visitors played for time throughout the duration of injury time but in reality Eastleigh were well-beaten and second best to everything as they exited another cup competition in the opening stages.

Losing in the manner in which Eastleigh did, a 2-0 defeat at home to a lower leagued side so soon after such a big win against Maidenhead United in the league last week was extremely frustrating for all. Eastleigh fans will certainly be hoping that the boys are saving their efforts for the league starting with another two tough games this week to both Team Bath in midweek and the 'big one' against rivals Havant and Waterlooville at home next Saturday.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 0-2 Bashley

Match pictures by Jozef Montigue

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Baird: Forbes is best striker in league

Reserves come out on top in goal glut as run continues

Eastleigh Res. 4-3 Chalfont St. Peter Res.
Suburban Premier League

TEAM: Fred Toomer, Niall Bryant, Mohammed Arahji, Tom Nicholas, Aaron Blaxall, Arron Milburn, Chris Mason ©, Jeff Cavey, Nick Watt, Scott Waters, Brett Williams

Subs: Adday (on for Arahji 53), Leonildo Simoes (on for Waters 61), Jamie Cousins (on for Cavey 77)

By Jamie Montigue

This reserves game in the Suburban Premier League saw constant action in the opening twenty minutes where four goals were shared, and the game continued in this vein with the Spitfires coming out on top in a seven-goal thriller.

Eastleigh got off to a phenomenal start with a goal after just fifteen seconds. Nick Watt slipped an excellent ball into BRETT WILLIAMS who sidestepped the last defender with great skill before planting a right-footed shot into the bottom right hand corner of goal.

Two minutes later, the hosts were threatening again with a one-two between Chris Mason and Nick Watt forcing a corner on the far side, the set piece resulting in Scott Waters' header coming back off the post.

The blistering start continued as Eastleigh doubled their lead, still with only five minutes on the clock. A Rory Delap style long throw from Arron Milburn was flicked on by Waters where CHRIS MASON met the ball with the outside of his right boot to steer home goal number two. Eastleigh were now in full swing.

In the eighth minute, Brett Williams rose well to connect with a Milburn corner but his firm header was kept out by the well-placed keeper.

A penalty shout went against Eastleigh soon after when neat interplay between the front two of Waters and Williams saw the former go down under a hefty challenge when sandwiched between two defenders.

The visitors' first real attempt was struck from 18 yards out to the right of goal, which had to be deflected behind by Tom Nicholas.

Williams, who scored two goals on his return to the club two weeks ago, nearly doubled his tally for the night when a goalkeeping blunder saw the striker receive the ball from the opposition's number one. Taking the opportunity to chip the ball, Williams went for goal, though the keeper to his credit recovered extremely well in getting back in his goal to turn the ball behind acrobatically.

Still within the opening twenty minutes and against the run of play the visitors pulled a goal back from a corner kick, with a centre half slamming home a free header at the back post.

The drama continued with Eastleigh surrendering their early two goal lead to a fine solo run with the end product to match. The equalising goal came in the 20^th minute when defenders slid in, going to ground and their marker just continued to stay on his feet, dodge the challenges and finish well to beat the fit again Freddie Toomer's despairing dive.

Some eleven minutes later the visitors had a great chance to take the lead when a free kick on the right was volleyed downwards into the ground falling kindly for an unmarked striker who should have done better with his header from six yards.

Five minutes before the break a powerful run down the left flank by Williams saw him pull the back to the edge of the area when reaching the byline. Jeff Cavey latched on to the pass only to have his side-footed shot kept out on the goal line, as was Milburn's follow up sliding in.

On the counter attack the visitors found themselves clean through with Toomer completely unprotected. The young keeper parried the shot straight back out to an oncoming forward but to his credit was up and ready to react quickly to redeem himself, staying big and thwarted what appeared to be an easy chance just before the break.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh Res. 2-2 Chalfont St. Peter Res.

Three minutes into the second half Eastleigh found themselves behind for the first time in the game and suddenly their blistering start seemed an age ago.

A run down the left saw the ball turned home into the bottom right corner as the rain fell yet heavier.

Eastleigh's first change of the game, saw Adday come on for Mohammed Arahji in the 53^rd minute and the second followed shortly after the hour mark with Scott Waters being replaced in attack by Leo Simoes.

Simoes quickly livened things up riding a late challenge and drawing the foul to win a free kick. The topsy-turvy game continued to spring surprises, but this time it was a pleasant one for the Spitfires as a sublime and perfectly struck free kick by CHRIS MASON dipped beautifully and beat the keeper with the ball going in off the underside of the cross bar to level things up once more.

Only a minute later Eastleigh so nearly fell behind as they were caught out at the back allowing a striker time and space in front of goal and deserved to be punished. Fortunately Eastleigh's complacency was spared by a brilliant low stop by Toomer to keep out the guilt-edge chance.

Back at the opposite end, Williams had a cross-cum-shot turned on to the cross bar from a very tight angle on the left, towards the corner flag, before the ball fell to safety.

In the 75^th minute Brett Williams threatened again with his shot being deflected into the side netting as Eastleigh pushed forward in search of restoring their long lost lead.

The hosts third and final change saw Jamie Cousins come on for central midfielder Jeff Cavey, with Simoes pushing back into midfield to accommodate the substitute striker whose late goal restored a point on Saturday, whilst keeping the reserve side's unbeaten league run in tact.

NICK WATT scored the seventh goal and most importantly the one that put Eastleigh back in front at 4-3 with twelve minutes to play as he kept a cool head in the penalty area slotting the ball low into the net as the ball came his way.

Having taken the lead, Fred Toomer came a long way out of goal sliding in and going to ground with play continuing with the ball being squared across goal. The mistake however went unpunished as the striker made a hash of the opportunity to turn the ball home with the keeper out of his goal.

Cousins was played through for Eastleigh two minutes later from a lofted pass by Mason, but was unable to steady himself when one on one. Failing to bring the ball down initially due to the skiddy and rain-sodden surface, the young striker failed to trouble the keeper.

Meanwhile in this action-packed end-to-end encounter the visitors had the ball turned on to the roof of the net from a smartly taken set piece that was played short before being crossed from the right and turned over.

The finale to the game was just as frantic with Cousins holding the ball up well before playing in Williams unselfishly. The striker came inside past his marker and on to his left foot only to fire straight at the keeper who stood tall to make a good save.

Williams headed just behind from Mason's chipped free kick two minutes from time where Eastleigh then managed to see out the five additional minutes of stoppage time to take the points and remain at the top of the table.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh Res. 4-3 Chalfont St Peter Res.

Ladies come from two behind to beat Salisbury and rise to top of table

SUNDAY 16th OCTOBER 2008

SALISBURY CITY LADIES 2-3 EASTLEIGH LADIES

The Ladies continued to show why they are unbeaten in Hampshire Division 1 by coming back from 2-0 down at half time to beat Salisbury Ladies 3-2.

Two well-taken goals by the home team left Eastleigh deflated and flat going into half time after an exciting and action-packed first 15 minutes which saw the Spitfires challenging for every ball and taking numerous shots on goals.

After a well needed and deserved stern talking to at half time by the Spitfires Manager Ben Williams the ladies came out guns blazing and pressured every 50/50 ball and got a goal back from Amy Boucher which gave the team the boost they needed.

Eastleigh kept the home keeper busy and should have had a few more goals if not for the strong defence and keeper.

The break came again from Abby Strode-Gibbon who had another low driven shot into the bottom left which looked liked it was to be saved but the keeper fumbled and let it in....game on!

Central midfield worked well winning the balls in the middle of the park and distributing to the wings where most of the action took place.

Great runs from Piper and Reed saw dangerous balls flying into the box.

The winning goal came from an outstanding overhead kick by Night Akhonya with a quarter of an hour to play.

Some great defending and hard work paid off to seal three points and take Eastleigh Ladies to the top of the league.

After the game where Eastleigh showed terrific fight to come back and win the game, goalkeeper Alexandra Brooks commented. "I would like to say as a member of the team I was extremely proud to see how even at 2-0 down at half time we came back and won the match.

"The last three games have all been away and to the top 3 teams in contention for the promotion and we have taken 5 points out of 9 available.

Its not easy to play matches in wet and windy conditions and on a pitch that has already been played on a few hours before.

Thanks to Salisbury F.C for letting us play on the men's pitch, which was in great condition (though no food after and £3 a pint!!)"

This Sunday Eastleigh ladies are home to Farnham Town Ladies. 2pm KO @ Totton and Eling where it would be great to see and hear all you loyal supporters.

Eastleigh Res. 2-2 Burnham Res.

Eastleigh Res. 2-2 Burnham Res.
Suburban Premier League

TEAM: Jon Webb, James Powell, Niall Bryant, Scott Gilham, Jack Dukes, Arron Milburn, Chris Mason (c), Jeff Cavey, Nick Watt, Leonildo Simoes, Scott Waters.

Subs: Jamie Cousins (on for Simoes 60), Joe Crook (on for Powell 72), Mohammed Arahji (on for Bryant 72).

By Jamie Montigue

A perfect corner kick by Nick Watt saw centre back Scott Gilham charge in at the back post and head the inch-perfect delivery narrowly wide after just seven minutes.

Three minutes later Eastleigh were behind as Burnham Reserves took a 10th minute lead with a low shot past goalkeeper Jon Webb.

The Spitfires came extremely close to pulling level through Leo Simoes who reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box from an Arron Milburn free kick though his instinctive volley towards goal was met by an even better one-handed diving save from Burnham's skipper and keeper who showed tremendous reactions to keep out the close range effort.

Eastleigh found themselves in a spot of bother at 2-0 down, but again showed good character and desire to get back into the game.

Simoes troubled the Burnham back line with his direct running nine minutes before the break. Cutting in from the left flank and getting into the penalty area, Leo was chopped but managed to stay on his feet and the referee played the advantage as opposed to giving a penalty. The striker continued with the ball and forced a fingertip save out of the goalkeeper. Chris Mason crossed the ball back into the box where Scott Waters collided with a man on the goalline and had to receive treatment.

Two further opportunities from the hosts saw Waters head tamely towards the keeper from a Watt cross, and then just before the break Waters held the ball up before laying it off to Jeff Cavey whose chipped shot flew harmlessly high over the cross bar.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh Res. 0-2 Burnham Res.

The Suburban Premier League table toppers had it all to do after the break and showed early promise through Waters bringing the ball down from 12 yards out and having a shot turned away for a corner kick just a minute into the second half.

It took Eastleigh just five minutes to pull a deserved goal back from a Milburn long throw that Waters flicked on at the near post for NICK WATT to turn home and halve the deficit.

Full of confidence from getting themselves back into the game, Eastleigh continued to pile on the pressure and were so agonisingly close to drawing level. Chris Mason's ball in from the left saw Waters slam the ball ferociously against the under side of the bar.

This high tempo start to the second half continued with Eastleigh taking the game to their opponents now. Mason looked to combine with Waters again with a clever chipped pass that just had a little too much on it for Scott who was stretching for the ball.

A little over the hour mark, Eastleigh conjured up their best opportunity yet. Jack Dukes 'cross from the byline found Arron Milburn in acres of space in front of goal, completely unmarked and with the goal at his mercy. The youngster could not have wished for a better chance but will be disappointed to have steered his side foot shot wide of the goal.

Burnham had a rare chance on the counter attack with a striker going clean through on goal, but Jon Webb in the Eastleigh goal did ever so well to come off his line and keep his side in with a shout by saving bravely with his legs.

Scott Gilham was well placed to make a saving header off the goalline from the resulting corner kick.

Paul Wiltshire and Wayne Mew made a double substitution late on, changing things around slightly, and the results were almost instant.

Second half substitute JAMIE COUSINS nipped in on goal and showed great composure to slot past the keeper with a cool finish from Webb's route-one style kick up the field.

Cousins was denied a late winner as his sublime attempt from 25-yards produced a fine save out of the goalkeeper but Eastleigh will be pleased with their second half efforts in turning the game around in their favour and earning a point to keep themselves at the head of the Division.

Forbes nets two as fabulous Eastleigh fire four goals in away win

MAIDENHEAD UNITED v EASTLEIGH



SATURDAY 15th NOVEMBER 2008
Blue Square South

Report by Ray Murphy

Maidenhead United's unbeaten home record for 2008/9 had come to an end a week earlier when Chelmsford City took over top spot in the Division with a 2-0 victory at York Road. Fielding the same eleven against Eastleigh, Maidenhead suffered an even heavier defeat as The Spitfires fired three goals in an eight-minute spell at the start of the second half.

Playing in a 4-4-2 formation, Eastleigh manager Ian Baird brought back Matt Groves into the attack at the expense of Jamie Brown, whilst Andy Harris started in his normal right back position and Steve Clark wide right midfield.

The opening part of the game saw both sides exerting lots of energy but no composure or penetration from either side on an afternoon when a blustery wind was making conditions difficult. It was the first real goal attempt by either side after thirteen minutes that brought the first goal of the afternoon. Owing to the enterprise of Anthony Riviere. Intercepting a ball inside his own half, Riviere ran wide to chase the ball. Shrugging off a challenge and managing to keep his balance, Riviere then strode towards the goal line before switching the ball back into the area where Peter Adeniyi placed a shot into the corner of the net wide of the home goalkeeper Shane Gore.

Five minutes later and Eastleigh were almost further ahead, Tom Jordan’s header from a Tony Taggart corner was headed off the line by Tyron Smith. The Maidenhead front line of former Havant and Ian Baird's charges of Rocky Baptiste and Richard Pacquette were kept subdued by the Eastleigh defence. In the twenty-first minute Ben Surey’s pass was flicked on by Baptiste allowing Pacquette in behind the Eastleigh defence but Jason Matthews produced an excellent stop to keep Eastleigh in front.

A Harris long throw on twenty-eight minutes saw Jordan’s header saved at the near post by another ex-Havant colleague Gore. But the home side did produce an equaliser after thirty-seven minutes. Ashley Smith collected a cross-field pass from Ashley Nicholls on the left flank before cutting inside and firing a shot from twenty yards that struck the underside of the bar before rolling down inside of the net.

The half ended all square and Eastleigh started the second half in fine style. Fifty minutes played and Taggart fired home after another Harris long throw had been flicked on by Andy Forbes and Groves. From the restart Harris gained possession sent a long ball forward allowing Forbes to get in-between Gore and central defender Dominic Sterling to steer home to give Eastleigh a two goal advantage.

Jordan saw an overhead kick saved by Gore on fifty-six minutes but not to be outdone, two minutes later a Harris corner to the far post was headed home by Forbes for his fourth goal in two games. A minute later Forbes was almost celebrating a hat trick but he screwed his shot just wide of the upright.

The game as a contest was over; Maidenhead showed brief little flurries but never really showed any danger to the Eastleigh defence, despite playing the remainder of the game with three front-runners. Dale Binns had a free kick tamely into the arms of Matthews, Pacquette shot wide when well placed and Ashley Smith having shrugged off a challenge from substitute Matt Bodkin, saw Mathews save his low shot.

An excellent performance overall from an Eastleigh side gaining only their second away victory in the Blue Square South this season.

Former Spitfire fires double to add to Eastleigh's disappointing away form

WELLING UNITED v EASTLEIGH

SATURDAY 8th NOVEMBER 2008
Blue Square South

Report by Ray Murphy

It should have come as no surprise really that James Baker signed last summer from Braintree Town, then was released three weeks ago by Eastleigh FC, though is still joint leading goalscorer for the Club so far this season, would haunt his old team mates with two goals in the first half as Eastleigh slipped to a defeat at Welling United.

In a fixture rearranged owing to no F A Cup action for the two sides, the irony is is that if Eastleigh had not lost to Burgess Hill in that competition four weeks earlier; Baker could still have been wearing Eastleigh colours. Andy Harris returned to the Eastleigh side in a midfield role following his spell on the sidelines with a suspension whilst Matt Bodkin was relegated to the substitutes bench to deny himself a start against one of his former clubs. Jamie Brown was also favoured in the attack with Matt Groves being replaced.

The game started in a downpour and both sides failed to settle in the conditions early on, though both sides recovered to produce an entertaining match for the neutral spectator. Brown had an angled shot saved by home goalkeeper Jamie Turner on nine minutes but three minutes later and Eastleigh were behind. Welling's impressive Louis Fazackerley, another recent acquisition for them from Bromley, whipped in a cross to the near post where Baker nipped in front of his marker to turn the ball home.

Welling threatened to add to their score in the next couple of minutes also. Charlie Sheringham had a long-range effort just over the bar and Ryan Johnson had a shot deflected off target. In retaliation Tony Taggart had a header that was palmed away by Turner but Welling held the upper hand in the opening period.

On the half hour an excellent right wing cross from Fazackerley flew across the six yard box just evading a finishing touch by Baker and Sheringham, and three minutes later in behind the Eastleigh defence Fazackerley rolled a shot under the advancing Jason Matthews but just wide of the upright. On thirty-six minutes Welling did add a second goal, Lee Blackburn’s precise free kick to the left flank again saw Fazackerley collecting before another cross into the area where Baker was again on hand to head home.

Eastleigh then finished the half in the ascendancy. Harris’ long throw was flicked on by Tom Jordan but Andy Forbes shot wide. Peter Adeniyi and Anthony Riviere then exchanged passes on the edge of the area and as Adeniyi majestically strode into the penalty area in acres of space only managed to send his shot wide of the target.

It was a highly improved second half Eastleigh performance though. The home side for long periods had their ten outfield players retreating behind the ball. Within three minutes of the restart Matthews had to be alert to deny Sheringham but for the majority of the half, the home side relied on breakaways.

Early second half changes saw Bodkin replace Luke Byles and Groves for Brown. Eastleigh reduced the arrears on sixty-four minutes. Riviere's inch perfect through ball allowed Taggart to send a cross into the area for Forbes to shoot home his first league goal of the season. Three minutes later Bodkin had a shot blocked as Eastleigh kept asking the Welling defence questions.

On seventy-eight minutes Adeniyi’s cross saw Groves lay the ball back for Taggart whose shot was just parried away by Turner. With three minutes of the original ninety remaining, Welling broke and added a third goal. A ball cleared from the Eastleigh back line was headed back over the Eastleigh defence by Johnson allowing substitute Jerome Anderson to run on and lob the ball high over Matthews and bounce into the net.

Eastleigh were not going to go down without a fight though. Bodkin saw another shot deflected wide before Forbes added his second goal of the game in the first minute of stoppage time. A deep cross from the left by Steve Clark saw Forbes nip in to tuck home the goal.

It was a nervous Welling that held on for the three points as Eastleigh searched for an equaliser that their second half performance would have deserved, though the required goal never arrived.

James Baker, who joined Eastleigh in the summer from Braintree Town had made a fantastic start to life at the Silverlake Stadium with a return of six goals from 11 starts.

The striker left the club for Welling United last month and today came up against his former side as the Wings hosted a re-arranged Blue Square South fixture.

Baker scored for Eastleigh in their 4-2 win over Welling earlier this season but, speaking to Kent Online ahead of today's clash, hoped for a different outcome this time around as he lines up in Welling colours.

“It’s worked out nicely and will be an interesting game,” said Baker.

“It would be nice to beat them although I never left with any bad feeling, not on my part, but things changed and I wish them luck but hopefully we’ll win on Saturday.”

A much-publicised shortfall in revenue meant Baker was available to leave the Hampshire outfit having only joined in the close season from Braintree, and Welling boss Andy Ford made his move to bring the forward to the club.

Baker added: "The financial problems were the main reason I left, I enjoyed it down there.

"But travelling where I come from (near Stansted airport) was a long way. It was a long drive and to take time out of work as well, it all added up.

“It was a problem for me and I was glad to get the call from Welling and straight away I wanted to come here.

“I had a really good time but circumstances changed and I couldn’t do much about it."

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

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

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

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

By Jamie Montigue

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October Player of the Month Awards

Blue Square Announce “Player of the Month” Winners for October

“Histon’s Oyebanjo scoops October honours!”

Histon defender Lanre Oyebanjo has won the Blue Square Premier "Player of the Month" award for October. The versatile defender, signed from Brentford in the summer, has wasted no time in making an impact at The Glass World Stadium. Oyebanjo has been at the heart of a defence which went through the whole of the month without conceding a single league goal. The Stutes recorded excellent victories at home to Salisbury and league leaders Crawley, as well as a hard fought victory at Ebbsfleet in front of the TV cameras. Setanta’s Paul Parker, who won most of his England caps in Oyenbanjo’s favoured right-back position said “Lanre has lots of potential. “He’s tenacious, has plenty of energy and is not afraid to get stuck in.” Histon find themselves in the Blue Square Premier play-off positions following their superb run.

In the Blue Square South the award goes to Dave Rainford of Chelmsford City. The former Dagenham & Redbridge midfielder found the net five times during the period as his side maintained their table-topping form. Rainford began the month with a hat-trick against Eastleigh and followed up by scoring the only goals in 1-0 away victories at Dorchester and Fisher.

Bradley Pritchard from Tamworth has won the award in the Blue Square North. Pritchard helped his team complete the month with three league wins from three matches as well as personally performing well in The Lambs’ cup games. The Zimbabwe born midfielder found the net four times, including important league goals against Hyde and Workington, he also contributed with a number of assists.

Valiant effort in FA Youth Cup defeat

Swindon Town Youth 4 Eastleigh Youth 1

Eastleigh: Toomer, Longman, Blaxall, Lane, Nicholas, Mason, Mullins (Milburn 60), Wiltshire (Crook 60), Easton, White, Mattan (Hall 90) Unused subs Webb and Cozens.

Report by Ray Murphy

Eastleigh were swept aside by Puma Youth League Football Alliance side Swindon Town in this First Round F A Youth Cup tie. The same side had scored four goals at A FC Bournemouth three days earlier with the same scorers on the night as that day, with two apiece for Jamie Taylor and Lloyd Macklin.

It was a credited performance though for Eastleigh against a side recording their twelfth successive victory. Eastleigh showed a bit of naivety in their defending against a side that were highly dangerous with the blistering pace of Macklin, a winger who also possessed the quality of being able to cross the ball whilst on his run. In addition to this the majority of the Swindon side managed by ex-Welsh international Paul Bodin, were second year professionals whereas Eastleigh had four sixteen-year-olds in their starting eleven.

The warnings came very early for Eastleigh as the pacey Macklin got behind Aaron Blaxall after only four minutes before placing the ball past Eastleigh goalkeeper Freddie Toomer for the opening goal. The quick breakaways by the Swindon side with their neat one touch football caused Eastleigh problems all evening. Two minutes after the opening goal Macklin was again in behind the Eastleigh rearguard but Toomer was off his line to recover the situation.

Taylor, Danny Wallington and Billy Bodin all had opportunities that they spurned for the home side whilst Alex Easton was denied at the opposite end by Mark Scott. It came as no real surprise when Macklin added his second goal of the evening after thirty two minutes following good work from the equally impressive Taylor. Macklin then slipping past two defenders before shooting home.

Eight minutes into the second period Taylor turned to goalscorer following neat control, and a deft finish whilst three minutes later the same player added his second tapping home Mark Hartmann's corner. Macklin picked up a knock with twenty minutes remaining and Eastleigh were relieved at the absence of the winger.

In the final minute Eastleigh scored a consolation, following the award of a penalty for a handball decision. Chris Mason slotted home at the second attempt after his initial effort was saved by Scott in the Swindon goal, referee Simon Maynard decided on a retake of the spot kick for encroachment.

Priceless win over Beavers

EASTLEIGH v HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH

SATURDAY 1st NOVEMBER 2008
Blue Square South

By Jamie Montigue

Eastleigh picked up their first league win in four games with a deserved 2-1 victory over a Hampton & Richmond side who were unbeaten in seven league games winning five on the bounce coming into this game.

Both Andy Harris (suspended) and Trevor Challis (injured) were missing from the squad and there were places for new signing Steve Clark who joins the club from Bromley, and a first league start of the season for Andy Forbes.

On the back of a confidence boosting 6-0 win over Totton & Eling in mid-week, Eastleigh took on Alan Devonshire's in-form troops in extremely adverse weather with the bitter cold, the blustery, swirling wind and constant heavy rain.

The first of the action saw a deep, looping free kick from Tony Taggart curl into the penalty area and bounce awkwardly in front of goal where the ball popped up and narrowly over the target.

In the fifth minute of the game, BEN WRIGHT opened the scoring for the Beavers with a well-placed shot that arched around Jason Matthews from the edge of the penalty area and into the net giving the visitors an early lead.

Hampton & Richmond might have doubled their lead eight minutes later. Lawrence Yaku combined well with the goalscorer Wright and hit a low shot towards the bottom right hand corner, only for Matthews to get behind the ball and keep out the danger.

A strong challenge from Luke Byles high up the park won back possession for Eastleigh in a great position. Peter Adeniyi picked up on the loose ball to the left of goal where he weaved to his right inside the eighteen yards box and got his shot away. The ball was creeping in at the near post when Matt Lovett scrambled across his goal to smother the attempt.

The Spitfires enjoyed a good spell of pressure having won a number of corner kicks in quick succession.

Excellent wing play from Tony Taggart in the 18^th minute saw a dazzling run down the right from the midfielder result in his dangerous cross headed behind for a corner. From it, Matt Bodkin could not have executed the set piece any better as he forced a save out of Lovett directly from the corner kick. The Hampton & Richmond keeper having to palm the ball over the bar.

On the near side, Tony Taggart caused just as many problems with his in-swinging corner that had to be headed away off the post. The ball still hadn't been cleared and Taggart was able to cross again, only this time Lovett spilled the ball before the danger could be fully cleared.

In the same period of play, a free kick from Bodkin had to be punched away by Lovett, who was increasingly becoming the far busier goalkeeper.

A long-distance effort from Byles deflected off the head of Anthony Riviere and up into the safety of the keeper's hands in the 23^rd minute.

Poor conditions meant the game became very scrappy with a long period of play and it wasn't until the 39^th minute that the next chance came. Andy Forbes switched the play out to the left where Byles again tried his luck and wasn't all that far away with the long distance effort.

Three minutes before the break Eastleigh breathed a sigh of relief after a massive let off which could have seen them two goals behind going into the break. Wright took a downward header into his stride before seeing himself clean through and extremely unfortunate not to double his tally as his chip struck the frame of the goal with Matthews beaten.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 0–1 Hampton & Richmond Borough

Conditions worsened in the second half with the heavy rainfall causing a saturated pitch but play continued with the visitors coming the closest after the break again through Wright with what could have been his hat trick, though for the second time, the goalscorer was denied by the woodwork.

Two minutes before the hour mark, a teasing Luke Byles cross was dropped by Lovett and very nearly on to the foot of Groves who was on hand, but the keeper had recovered just in time.

Ian Baird's side drew level through a TONY TAGGART header on the hour mark and it was just a matter of minutes before the Spitfires had turned the game around.

By far the best goal of the game came in the 64^th minute when Taggart picked the ball up just inside the Hampton & Richmond half before leaving full back Marcello Fernandes for dead. Bringing the ball forward the former Havant & Waterlooville winger found another ex-Hawk delivering a pinpoint cross into the penalty area. Skipper TOM JORDAN threw himself at it with a great diving header that nestled low into the corner of goal, this his first for the club since his summer switch.

A superb turn around from Eastleigh complete with the goals separated by just three minutes overturned the Beavers' lead and set the Spitfires up and on their way to victory.

At this point there were now puddles scattered all over the pitch and surface water in places. It certainly was not the best of conditions on this dismal November afternoon but Eastleigh adapted best to the increasingly heavy pitch and dug deep to hold on and take all three points.

They may have even increased their lead further with Andy Forbes coming close from a volley 20 yards out that forced a good save out of Lovett low down, before an even better opportunity in the 73^rd minute fell to Matt Bodkin.

Terrific play from Taggart once more saw him past his man with ease where he then picked out Bodkin who was in the clear running in at the far post, though the on-loan winger's clipped shot narrowly evaded the target.

Eastleigh made just one change with Jamie Brown taking to the field to replace Bodkin with ten minutes remaining, a switch that saw Forbes drop into the left of midfield.

The Spitfires defended resolutely with Jordan and Byles leading the way and despite a mysterious five minutes of time added on at the end, the hosts went on to claim a priceless victory.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 2–1 Hampton & Richmond Borough