Eastleigh FC: Super sub Taggart on target as Spitfires return to winning form

EASTLEIGH v WESTON-SUPER-MARE

SATURDAY 14th MARCH 2009
Blue Square South

Report by Jamie Montigue

Eastleigh returned to winning form this afternoon thanks to the return to action of Tony Taggart, who came off the bench to score the Spitfires all three points with a 68^th minute header.

Following last weekend’s ‘re-arranged’ side due to a number of injuries and suspensions, manager Ian Baird was boosted by the return of Jamie Brown and Steve Clark from suspension whilst skipper Tom Jordan shook off an injury to make a return. All three came straight into today’s starting line up versus Weston-Super-Mare along side home debutant Gavin Heeroo - who joined Eastleigh from former manager Paul Doswell’s Sutton United side a fortnight ago.

The Eastleigh faithful were also delighted to see Taggart make the bench following a spell out with injury and even more pleased having witnessed the impact he made when he came on!

Either side looked a little cagey and nervy throughout a fairly even first half. Both Eastleigh and their visitors had a number of chances throughout.

The first chance came Eastleigh’s way in the fifth minute. A typically whole-hearted challenge from Jamie Brown won the hosts possession high up the field with the loose ball falling to his strike partner Brett Williams who shot wide of the mark.

A minute later Brett had got into a great position once more, this time following a through ball down the left channel. The young striker poked the ball towards goal only to be denied by goalkeeper Ryan Northmore who had rushed out of goal well to make himself big, block the shot and gather at the second attempt.

Meanwhile Ben Wells came close for the visitors as he cut inside from the left and drilled an effort narrowly off target in the sixth minute.

There was a spell where the amount of play in the air far outweighed the football seen on the deck, which was neither pretty nor effective as both sides still hadn’t managed to settle just yet.

Aaron Martin made an excellent intervention to deny Manny Williams when it looked like the forward had the beating of him and had got the goal in sight when suddenly Martin came in with a crucially well-timed, perfect sliding challenge. Tom Jordan followed up to support his fellow centre half with another good tackle but the ball only came out as far as Wells on the left flank. The low cross was well cut by Matthews to prevent an easy tap in at the far post.

A quarter of an hour had been played when Martin headed towards goal from a corner. Jordan managed to keep it in play and tee up Ashley Carew whose left footed deflected shot was saved by the keeper.

Soon after Williams set Steve Clark free down the left and the wide midfielder got to the by-line before sending a good ball across the six-yard box. Alex Kite dived in to head behind his own goal and avert the danger.

Eastleigh’s approach play was generally very pleasing however there were a couple of instances where the final ball proved to be the only problem.

In the 19^th minute, the Seagulls’ Manny Williams wrong-footed the last Eastleigh defender to give himself a golden opportunity of beating Jason Matthews from six yards. Having done all the hard work with the quick feet and good movement to get in behind the defence, the striker’s spin and shot flew harmlessly high over the cross bar.

Next it was Eastleigh’s turn to threaten. Carew and Brown combined to pick out Aaron Martin who had come up for a corner kick. The talented centre back improvised with an impressive attempt at an overhead kick that had to be blocked and turned away from goal. Clark swung a superb ball back in to the box but it had just a little too much on it for Brown who run in unmarked.

Ten minutes before the break, Ashley Carew’s thunderous 30-yard strike deserved so much more. Hitting the ball so sweetly with his left foot from range, it was a wonderful effort from the versatile midfielder that was heading for the top corner were it not for Northmore reacting well to tip over the bar and deny a beautiful goal.

Eastleigh’s Williams was then booked despite winning the ball fairly with an excellent challenge to pressure the Weston-Super-Mare full back Michael Green and close down from the front. Green went to ground and rolled around despite little or no contact made by the striker, and it was the reaction of the Weston dugout that influenced the referee to produce a harsh yellow card.

Seconds later, Ben Wells came the closest to opening the scoring as he struck Matthews’ cross bar with the Eastleigh keeper beaten by the swerving 20-yard effort. Manny Williams followed in and should have done better than nodding wide with the goal at his mercy – a let off for Eastleigh.

In the 40^th minute, Luke Byles’ free kick was met by Brown heading just the wrong side of the post – very unfortunate as Northmore was left standing and wouldn’t have got across in time to keep it out had it been only an inch to the left.

Matthews was equal to a Marvin Brown snapshot and then the last of the action saw Eastleigh on the attack with Gavin Heeroo’s low shot saved low to the keeper’s right.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 0–0 Weston-Super-Mare

There was a slight delay before the action resumed for the second half as the referee’s assistant had to be replaced due to an injury.

Eastleigh made the better start to the half with the ever-reliable Warren Goodhind in an advanced position delivering a great early cross in search of Brown that had to be flapped behind for a corner kick.

Two minutes later, Peter Adeniyi chipped the ball forward for Williams to bring down well and shoot wide of goal from outside the area.

It was ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ drama, as Jamie Brown thumped a fine acrobatic volley against the woodwork after a Martin knock down from a deep free kick, still inside the opening five minutes of the first half.

This open game filled with chances at either end continued with Manny Williams looking odds on to score only a minute after Brown had been kept out by the cross bar at the other end. Jason Matthews was rounded and all the Eastleigh fans had to hold their breath expecting the worst, when out of nowhere, Aaron Martin came in with a sublime tackle to cover his goalkeeper and prevent a simple tap in. This was defending of the highest class.

In the 50^th minute Clark charged in to meet Brown’s lofted pass to the back post but volleyed behind.

Tony Taggart was welcomed back from injury as he replaced Clark four minutes shy of the hour.

Immediately Eastleigh were reminded of the kind of threat and creativity that Taggart has to offer as he ran at his marker with intent and whipped a dangerous ball into the box that proved to be just too high for Williams, who soon made way for Bertie Brayley.

It was all Eastleigh since the opening of the second half, and the pressure continued with Carew being brought down 25-yards from goal. The former Barnet man picked himself up to strike the free kick, curling the ball around the wall and just wide of the upright.

A rare mistake by Carew allowed Weston-Super-Mare to break forward and get a shot in. Adrian Harris found Manny Williams to his left whose tame shot posed no problems for Matthews.

Then came the moment the Eastleigh fans were waiting for. Peter Adeniyi’s cross from the left was turned home by a TONY TAGGART glancing header to break the deadlock and for the perfect way to mark his return to action in the 68^th minute.

Having secured the all important break through it was just a case of shutting up shop for the Spitfires. The defence were in fine form once more with Luke Byles and Tom Jordan particularly outstanding to ensure a clean sheet.

The all round effort and commitment from Eastleigh was very impressive as Baird’s men ground out a solid 1-0 victory to leap frog Chelmsford and open up a ten point gap between them and sixth placed Maidenhead United in the race for the playoffs.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 1–0 Weston-Super-Mare