McAuley in fine debut display - Gillespie off the mark in narrow Spitfires win over Stags

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AFC TOTTON 0-1 EASTLEIGH

TUESDAY 21st JULY 2009
Pre-Season Friendly

Report by Jamie Montigue

Goal(s): Richard Gillespie 78th minute

There must have been some doubt before kick off as to whether or not the pitch at Testwood Park would hold up to the heavy downpour as the rain beat down this Tuesday evening. Thankfully for both sides the rain eased off and Eastleigh were able to get back to football after their bizarre exit from the Errea Cup in Devon despite a 100% record.

Ex-Spitfires Chris Collins, David Hughes and James Taylor were all in action for the hosts, meanwhile Ian Baird welcomed his latest signing Shaun McAuley and handed him a debut following his transfer from last season's Blue Square South play-off finalists Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Immediately it was clear that McAuley has all the attributes to become a success at his new club should he continue as he means to go on, as he tormented the Stags' left back Matt Troon throughout the evening displaying great pace and tremendous dribbling and crossing ability, getting behind his man and delivering a deadly ball from wide positions on countless occasions.

The only goal of the game came with less than quarter of an hour remaining as RICHARD GILLESPIE rounded off a good team move and turned the ball home from close range following neat work by substitute Brett Williams whose chipped ball across the face of the six yard box allowed Gillespie, the former Bashley hot shot to open his Eastleigh goalscoring account with a simple tap in, yet a typical poacher's goal.

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