Eastleigh FC

BROMLEY v EASTLEIGH MONDAY 28th DECEMBER 2009 Blue Square South Report by Ray Murphy Having produced their best performance for many a year, forty-eight hours earlier, Eastleigh were brought back down to earth following a sterling second half display by Bromley. Jamie Brown returned to the side following his one match suspension with Andy Forbes dropping down to the bench. The rest of the side remained the same as the Basingstoke fixture. Bromley were without regular defenders Rob Gilman and Arron Fray through injury. The first half saw Eastleigh have the majority of the play though chances created were limited and the home goalkeeper Gareth I Williams was rarely troubled. Having had the better of the opening stages Eastleigh were delivered a shock warning on the eighth minute as Bromley broke away and a volley from Luke I’Anson saw the effort blocked and the ball falling for Tutu Henriques who also had a shot diverted away. Warren McBean had an attempt strike the foot of t

EASTLEIGH v BASINGSTOKE TOWN SATURDAY 26th DECEMBER 2009 Blue Square South Report by Jamie Montigue After much hard work from a number of volunteers, today's match officials deemed the pitch playable following an early morning inspection. Eastleigh made just one change to the starting line up that saw off Weston-Super-Mare last time out in a 3-1 home win. Richard Gillespie was the man to be given a starting berth, taking the suspended Jamie Brown's place in attack. On this annual festive fixture, the Spitfires looked to continue their fine form of late, and did so in some style. Winning by the Spitfires biggest margin in the Blue Square South with a record 6-0 win; the free-scoring side made it eight games unbeaten with a third straight league win. It has been an excellent couple of months for Eastleigh that has seen Ian Baird’s side leap a whopping ten places from 15th to 5th in just under 8 weeks. Today’s fantastic win was the perfect way to end the last home

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After much hard work from volunteers on Christmas eve, and this Boxing Day morning - the pitch has passed the referee's inspection. Check back to this site for live updates as the game progresses. Eastleigh v Basingstoke Town, 12pm kick off.

By Adrian Kajumba - Eastleigh have received a pre-Christmas boost with loanee Steve Cook agreeing to extend his stay at club by another month. The 18-year-old versatile defender, who arrived at The Silverlake at the end of November, will now remain at Eastleigh, on-loan from League One Brighton, until the end of February. And with numbers thin on the ground that news was understandably welcome for Eastleigh boss Ian Baird. "That’s good news for us," he said. "I think he will go on to have a good pro career if he gets a bit of luck but it’s good for us at the moment. "And for him to agree to stay for another month he must be enjoying it." Baird, though, added that "there will be no more ins and outs" and "at this moment in time we are as we are." And that means Baird will have to steer his side through a hectic Christmas period with a wafer-thin squad of just 16 players and any enforced absence, until the situation changes,

Today's Eastleigh games have been postponed due to frozen pitches. Lewes v Eastleigh - Blue Square South     Pictures of the pitch at Lewes' Dripping Pan stadium Eastleigh Reserves v Bedfont - Suburban Premier League

EASTLEIGH v WESTON-SUPER-MARE WEDNESDAY 16th DECEMBER 2009 Blue Square South Report by Jamie Montigue Updates from tonight's league game from the Silverlake Stadium: Line Ups: EASTLEIGH - Jason Matthews, Steve Cook, Brett Poate, Anthony Riviere, Tom Jordan (c), Aaron Cook, Danny Smith, Andy Forbes, Jamie Brown, Tony Taggart, Shaun McAuley. Subs: Trevor Challis, Matt Day, Jamie White, Richard Gillespie, Peter Adeniyi. Goals - Tony Taggart (23, 30), Andy Forbes (33). Weston-S-M: Kevin Sawyer, Mike Green, Callum Hart, Scott Bartlett, Craig Rand, Clayton Fortune, Ben Osman, Darren Mullings, Ben Cleverley, Marvin Brown, Chris Sheppard. Subs: Josh Klein-Davis, Ben Wells, Dayle Grubb, Jake Harris. In-form Eastleigh stretched their unbeaten run in the Blue Square South to seven games without a loss, as they took on Weston-Super-Mare in this evening's re-scheduled fixture (following the postponement here two Saturday's ago). The Spitfires made it two wins

BISHOPS STORTFORD v EASTLEIGH TUESDAY 8th DECEMBER 2009 Blue Square South Thanks to a late Anthony Riviere winner in a tight game away to Bishops Stortford, Eastleigh are currently top of the form table for the past six games. An impressive, unbeaten run of four wins and two draws stretching back to the end of October has seen the Spitfires bang in form and closing in on the play off places once again. Report by Ray Murphy With Eastleigh’s recent lack of punch in front of goal, the story of this match was the same as the recent games but a deflected shot from Anthony Riviere was enough to give Eastleigh a deserved three points at Bishops Stortford. With the scheduled game against Weston Super Mare having been postponed the previous Saturday, Steve Cook’s one match suspension for his dismissal against Lewes was carried over to this fixture which meant the side was that which would have played in the Weston fixture. Danny Smith reverted to a right back role; the two wingers were Shaun

Link Jamie White has extended his loan spell at Eastleigh by a further month. The 20 year-old Saints Academy graduate has enjoyed a temporary stay at the Silverlake Stadium for the past two months helping the Spitfires to 12th place in the Blue Square South with the team collecting 26 points from 18 games so far this season. He has been limited mainly to substitute appearances but played the full 90 minutes in a 1-1 draw at Braintree Town last time out. The extension means that the striker will remain at the non-league side until Monday 7th January 2010 meaning he can play in Tuesday evening's trip to Bishop's Stortford.

By Wendy Gee -   THE rift between Eastleigh manager Ian Baird and star striker Andy Forbes has been healed. Although the Spitfires boss has not gone as far as to take the 30-year-old off the transfer list, he was ready to start him in Saturday’s postponed Blue Square South match against Weston-super-Mare following clear the air talks with Forbes on Friday. For all Forbes’ unquestionable talent, Baird, felt the striker was not performing on a consistent enough basis and was not meriting his status as one of the Spitfires’ highest earners. Baird’s patience finally ran out and he transfer-listed the Reading-based marksman, scorer of an impressive 139 goals in 254 club appearances, the day after Eastleigh’s dismal FA Trophy exit at Lewes. The decision shocked Eastleigh supporters, many of whom revere Forbes as a Spitfires legend, and there was criticism of the manager for saying he hoped the striker would prove him wrong before dropping him from the squad for the 1-1 dr

"Subject to League approval, we have re-arranged the home game with Weston-Super-Mare. Eastleigh v Weston-Super-Mare: Wednesday 16th December (ko 7.45pm) "This date was chosen in order to avoid clashing with Saints, who are playing on Tuesday 15th December. "Anybody with cancellation tickets from the postponed game can use their ticket at this game."

Today's game was called off five minutes before kick off by Dean Treleaven and his officials. It was eventually decided that down the wings, the ball was not bouncing and feet were sinking too easily. The general feeling was that the decision could have been made at 1:00pm when the conditions were exactly the same. Andy Forbes was on the team sheet and was down to start up front; had the game gone ahead. This is clearly a positive sign after the devastating news of being placed on the transfer list last week by manager Ian Baird. Details of the re-arranged fixture will follow shortly.

BRAINTREE v EASTLEIGH SATURDAY 28th NOVEMBER 2009 Blue Square South IRON POWER TO A POINT Report by Ray Murphy Following on from their midweek defeat in the F A Trophy at Lewes, the preparation for the trip to Braintree Town was hindered by the late withdrawal of Tony Taggart with a back injury, though Brett Poate passed a fitness test to be available for the side. Braintree had regulars Mark Peters and Colin Goodacre both suspended. Four previous trips to Braintree had seen the Spitfires unbeaten and Eastleigh held the lead for the majority of the second period before being pegged back. The first chance of the afternoon fell for Eastleigh. On fourteen minutes Steve Arnold’s long kick was headed on by Jamie Brown allowing Shaun McAuley a chance but the winger shot wide. Braintree had a chance on twenty-six minutes when the diminutive Jon Keeling controlled a cross from Alex Rhodes but Keeling lacked composure with his finish and fired over. Eastleigh started to gain more su

"The Club can confirm that they have placed Andy Forbes on the available for transfer list. "Ian Baird has concluded that the recent contribution that Forbes has made to the team is not in keeping with his requirements, and that a move to another Club may be in the mutual interests of both the player and Eastleigh Football Club. "It should be stressed that Forbes will only leave EFC if we receive an offer in keeping with our own valuation of the player." (Click image below for larger size article) Eastleigh's Director of Football Dave Malone went on to confirm the following further news items. "Matt Day - we are pleased to confirm the signing of Matt from Hungerford Town. Matt is a versatile young defender, and has played for Oxford United in the Conference National. He was previously a youth player at Portsmouth FC." Name: Matt Day Nationality: English Date of Birth: 24/03/1987 Height: 5' 11" (180cm) Weight: 13st 8lbs (86.26kg) Profile

LEWES v EASTLEIGH WEDNESDAY 25th NOVEMBER 2009 FA Trophy 3rd Round Qualifying Replay Report by Ray Murphy Lewes faced a court hearing on the morning of this F A Trophy Third Qualifying Round replay over an unpaid tax bill, from which they were given an extension to pay until January and ended the day with this single goal victory earning them £4,000 winners money from the tie and an away draw at Hampton & Richmond Borough. Eastleigh were without Brett Poate who had failed a fitness test to be replaced by Trevor Challis and for Lewes the evening may be the corner of the season that their resurgent form may be remembered. Eastleigh struggled to get out of the starting blocks and produced a somewhat under par performance. Despite that though they had created enough chances to have won this fixture handsomely. Eastleigh had the opening chance on the tenth minute when Richard Gillespie and Shaun McAuley combined but McAuley shot wide of the target. The game was then contested in midf

EASTLEIGH v LEWES SATURDAY 21st NOVEMBER 2009 FA Trophy 3rd Round Qualifying Report by Jamie Montigue It was a miserable, rainy November afternoon at the Silverlake Stadium as Steve Ibbitson's Lewes travelled to face Eastleigh for the second week running. In similar adverse weather conditions to last Saturday, a game that saw a second minute own goal seal three league points for Ian Baird's side; today was all about the cup in this FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying round tie. With Tom Jordan serving a suspension for picking up five bookings, Steve Cook who joined Eastleigh on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion this week, came straight into the heart of the defence for his Spitfires debut alongside namesake Aaron Cook. The game started well enough for the 18-year-old but ultimately ended prematurely in disappointment. The only other change to the starting line up from last weekend saw Shaun McAuley handed a start in place of Tony Taggart. Warren Goodhind meanwhile played what is t

"The Club can confirm that we have completed the loan signing of defender Steve Cook from Brighton & Hove Albion. Steve trained with the squad last night, and will be available for selection for the home game with Lewes on Saturday (ko 3.00pm)." Player Profile from Seagulls.co.uk Name: Steve Cook Nationality: English Date of Birth: 19/04/1991 Height: 6' 1" (185cm) Weight: 12st 13lbs (82.17kg) Position: Defender Steve made his first team debut while still a youth team scholar as a substitute in the Carling Cup victory against Manchester City in September 2008. A full-back or centre-half, Steve earned a one-year pro contract in the summer of 2009.

Eastleigh's Director of Football Dave Malone made the following statement regarding player updates: "James Taylor has returned to AFC Totton. A huge thank you to James, who has been a big help to the squad over the past couple of months. He has been 100% professional in everything he has done - and who will forget his backside after the opening goal at Witney?!!" "Warren Goodhind has informed us that he is about to embark on a "new life" in Spain, and will be leaving us within the next couple of weeks. Warren (like James) has been the consumate pro since joining us two seasons ago - and we will miss his presence both on and off the pitch. "We wish both of these great players all the best for their respective futures." It will be sad to lose a player such as Warren who has been a great servant to the club over the past two years. He has a great character and presence both on and off the field. His communication, organisation and versatility that h

EASTLEIGH v LEWES SATURDAY 14th NOVEMBER 2009 Blue Square South Report by Jamie Montigue With the adverse weather yesterday, overnight and this morning there was a distinct possibility that the game would be called off this afternoon due to a waterlogged pitch. The fact that the game went ahead was a credit to Steve Brookwell and a number of valiant supporters who volunteered to spend several hours forking the pitch this morning and afternoon to help aid the referee's decision in passing a pitch inspection. Sticking with the same starting eleven that beat Dorchester Town in midweek, Steve Arnold continued in goal to make his home debut for the club whilst Jason Matthews is still on the sidelines with a groin injury. When play begun, what proved to be the decisive moment in the game occurred with just two minutes on the clock following an excellent run and cross by Anthony Riviere to the right of goal. It was an embarrassing moment for SCOTT MANNING which saw the Lewes defender t

DORCHESTER TOWN v EASTLEIGH TUESDAY 10th NOVEMBER 2009 Blue Square South Report by Ray Murphy Following on from their epic FA Cup clash at Barrow three days earlier, Eastleigh took the field at a fog-covered Dorchester on Tuesday evening. Jason Matthews and Andy Forbes both were missing from the starting line up through injury allowing 20-year -old goalkeeper Steve Arnold, currently trialling at Brentford having previously played for Norwich City and Grays Athletic; a debut in goal. Aaron Cook also returned to the side having been ineligible at the weekend. The evening did not start well for Eastleigh. Through the mist former Bashley striker Ryan Moss shot the hosts ahead after only six minutes as it looked as though Eastleigh may have been still suffering from the memory of their cup exit. The fears that lingered though soon disappeared unlike the fog until the half time break when the fog eventually disappeared as quickly as it had rolled in across the ground. Within two minutes o

"The Club are pleased to announce that we have just completed the registration of goalkeeper Steve Arnold. Steve, who is an England C International, has recently been training at Brentford FC, having previously been at Grays Athletic. "We have also offered a trial period to forward Saul Otobo." Non League Daily Arnold, who was originally Norwich City`s youth and reserve team keeper moved to Grays on a one-year contract in June 2008. Arnold had previously played for Boreham Wood in the Ryman League and spent some time as a youth with Arsenal before moving to Carrow Road. Otobo has led a somewhat nomadic career after brief stints this season with league rivals Woking and St Albans City. Also in the south he has served the likes of Greenwich Borough, Horsham and Hastings United, while he has also plied his trade in the north of the country with Cammell Laird, Vauxhall Motors and Witton Albion.

By Wendy Gee - IAN Baird says his heartbroken Eastleigh troops must “bounce back – and bounce back quickly” from their FA Cup choker at Barrow. Despite dominating all but about five minutes of Saturday’s first round tie at Holker Street, the Spitfires were cruelly shot down 2-1 by their Blue Square Premier hosts, conceding a killer goal four minutes into time added on. There was despair all round as the players sank to their knees, heads in hands, knowing they had comprehensively outplayed a side sitting 22 places above them in the league pyramid. “I feel for the players, I really do,” said Baird. “Every one of them played really well and can be proud of themselves for that performance. “Sooner or later our luck has to change but, as a football club, we’ve got to try to look at the positives.

By Wendy Gee - STRIKER Richard Gillespie is convinced Eastleigh should have had penalty 12 minutes before Andy Forbes dragged the Spitfires back on level terms in their 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Barrow at Holker Street. There was much debate between players and officials when Barrow’s otherwise impeccable keeper Stuart Tomlinson raced out to challenge Gillespie on the right edge of the penalty area. A free-kick was eventually awarded, but the 24-year-old Winchester-based marksman swears contact was made inside the box. He said: “The ball was put through to me and, as I ran onto it, I saw the keeper out of corner of my eye. “I held my run a bit and he’s come flying into me and wiped me out. “Somehow, even though the linesman was standing right on the spot, he said it was outside the area. “But after the incident you could see the stud marks and the skid marks on the pitch and they were blatantly inside the box. “Outside the area there were no marks on the pitch or anything. “I kno

By Adrian Kajumba - SKIPPER Tom Jordan said the nature of Eastleigh's FA Cup first round exit had left the players “shell-shocked.” “It’s hard to take,” the towering centre-back said after a replay was snatched from Eastleigh’s hands by Barrow after Jason Walker’s last-gasp goal in a 2-1 result. “You do think when it goes to the final stages that we have got our replay, which is the least we deserved. “Then there was the sucker punch right at the death. “So at the moment we are a little bit shell-shocked.” After dominating the first half-hour Eastleigh went behind to Andy Cook’s 36th minute volley – Barrow’s first shot on target. Makeshift centre half Andy Forbes eventually pulled Eastleigh level with five minutes to go. But Jordan felt Eastleigh should have had a chance to level earlier when Richard Gillespie was pulled down by Barrow goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson on 71 minutes. Photo courtesy of Graeme Horobin

Barrow AFC v Eastleigh - 7th November 2009 More FA Cup reaction and reports! Extracts kindly provided by HOLKER STREET NEWSLETTER 2275 Eastleigh came to Holker Street on Saturday, they saw and very nearly conquered, and whilst it's Barrow’s name that will go in the bag on Sunday for the Second Round draw, it could, and perhaps even should, have been so very different. SOME THOUGHTS ON THE EASTLEIGH GAME From Ken Mutton Eastleigh were on top for virtually the full game. You would have thought Eastleigh were the home side and Barrow as the away team nicked a couple of goals on the break! I have never seen such a one-sided game and Eastleigh deserve loads of credit. They had about 50 fans who never stopped cheering their side. I was in the stand with three layers on and freezing, they had about 25 fans stripped to the waste (including one large lass!) for most of the second half and they were stood in the pouring rain behind Barrow's goal. Tomlinson had a fantastic game and