Eastleigh FC

Eastleigh have been drawn at home to Basingstoke Town in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, following their 6-1 demolition of Hellenic Premier side Witney United. The game will be played on Saturday 10th October, kick off 3pm.

"Following discussions between Ian Baird and Southampton FC - it has been agreed that Aaron Martin will train with SFC during the course of the coming week. "It must be stressed that no transfer deal has been discussed or agreed at this stage, and we fully expect Aaron to be part of our squad for our game at Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday."

FA Womens Cup SUNDAY 27th SEPTEMBER 2009 Eastleigh Ladies 0-5 Basingstoke Ladies Eastleigh Ladies affair with the F A Womens Cup ended on Sunday at The First Qualifying Round hurdle against Basingstoke Town Ladies who compete a Division above the Eastleigh side. Eastleigh were already cursing their luck before they took the field. Hat trick hero from the previous round Alice Thorne tore ankle and knee ligaments in a college match in midweek and faces eight weeks on the sidelines so the Eastleigh attack was devoid of her prowess. As the match kicked off, Eastleigh could not have had a worse start. With ninety seconds on the clock they were a goal behind courtesy of Michelle Kimber. It was to get no better with a second goal arriving a minute later through Linsey Wilson. Goalkeeper Alex Brooks was hurt in a collision in the twelfth minute but could not prevent Kimber adding Basingstoke's third goal but the Eastleigh keeper was left nursing her leg for the rest of the match. Samant...

WITNEY UNITED 1-6 EASTLEIGH SATURDAY 26th SEPTEMBER 2009 FA Challenge Cup 2nd Qualifying Round Report by Ray Murphy The importance of this FA Cup fixture in the Eastleigh calendar did not see the start that manager Ian Baird wanted before the game. The biggest problem to the manager was the late appearance of midfield duo Peter Adeniyi and Anthony Riviere who both did not arrive at the ground of Hellenic League Witney United until five minutes before the scheduled kick off time. With Aaron Martin already missing through suspension and Andy Forbes and Jamie Brown on the injured list, this was also assisted by Steve Clark whom it had thought had signed for Chelmsford City appearing in the dressing room after the move had fallen through, though missing from the side through injury. Adeniyi and Riviere were both on the initial team sheet that only saw the change of Danny Smith returning to the side that had beaten Chelmsford City seven days earlier, Smith taking the right back berth wit...

We can confirm that Steve Clark has been transferred to Chelmsford City. The move was agreed by mutual consent, after Clarky found it increasingly difficult to cope with the travelling from his home in London Docklands. We would thank Steve for his efforts whilst here at the Silverlake, and wish him well for the future. The Club is actively seeking one or two new faces, and any progress will be reported on this site.

By Wendy Gee - SKIPPER Tom Jordan netted twice as Eastleigh finally broke their Saturday jinx at the seventh time of asking. The towering centre-back got a fat lip and a new nickname for his troubles, but it was a price worth paying as the Spitfires saw off Chelmsford City 3-1 to end a torrid sequence of five defeats and a draw from their weekend Blue Square South games. Jordan – an aerial colossus at both ends of the pitch – was accidentally headed in the face and ended up sporting a ‘trout pout’. He laughed: “The lads are calling me Leslie Ash now because it’s looks like I’ve had too much botox! “But it’s a big relief to win on a Saturday and get that monkey off our backs. “We’ve been a bit unlucky in the majority of games, but we showed good character – especially as the start was the exact opposite of what we wanted.”

EASTLEIGH 3-1 CHELMSFORD CITY SATURDAY 19th SEPTEMBER 2009 Blue Square South Report by Ray Murphy At the seventh attempt Eastleigh won a fixture on a Saturday afternoon for the first time this season and with a shaky opening, it came as a slight surprise that Eastleigh did manage to gain their victory. Richard Gillespie started his first league game for Eastleigh and Warren Goodhind returned to the side following injury with James Taylor and Danny Smith both finding themselves on the subs bench. The afternoon could not have started worse for Eastleigh. Antonio Murray’s left wing cross was met by a volley from Danny Hockton in the second minute, which gave the Essex side the lead. The early goal gave Eastleigh a jolt and it took time for the home side to settle, with Chelmsford having the better of the early play though Jason Matthews was not really troubled. Eastleigh wore them into the game though and six minutes before the interval the whole course of the afternoon changed directi...

The Premier League has demonstrated its commitment to football outside the top flight by making a one off payment of one million pounds (£1m) to the 68 member clubs of the Football Conference. This solidarity payment has been made to soften the financial blow which clubs in the Football Conference, competing in the Blue Square Premier, North and South have suffered this season due to unfortunate economic circumstances. Recognising this wonderful gesture Brian Lee, Chairman of the Conference stated: “We are extremely grateful to the Premier League in demonstrating their support to our members at a time when our clubs are feeling the pinch not only at the loss of our TV contract but the decline of anticipated income due to the financial position generally.” Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore, said: “The Premier League clubs discussed the current financial difficulties facing their counterparts in the Conference and were happy to be in the position to help them out with so...

14th SEPTEMBER 2009 Report by Ray Murphy A strengthened reserve side took to the field for the home fixture against Basingstoke with Peter Adeniyi, Tony Taggart, Shaun McAuley and James Taylor, who had all started for the first team forty eight hours earlier in their 1-5 defeat at Newport County, whilst further first team squad members Ian Oliver and Richard Gillespie were also in the side along with the returning from injury Warren Goodhind. It came as no real surprise when Eastleigh opened their account after just nine minutes with Gillespie's first of the evening. The striker added his second goal fourteen minutes later before Ryan Stephens reduced the arrears with a Basingstoke goal on the half hour mark. Taylor swept home the third Eastleigh goal on thirty-six minutes and Eastleigh led 3-1 at the interval. Both Adeniyi and Taylor were not on the pitch for the second period having been replaced by Steve Hall and Breon Graham. Shaun McAuley netted three goals in the fifty-seven...

Eastleigh have been drawn away to Witney United on Saturday 26th September. The winners of each tie will net £4,500 in prize money.

By Wendy Gee - IAN Baird has always prided himself on his loyalty to his players. But even he struggled to defend the events of another sorry Saturday as Eastleigh slumped to a 5-1 Blue Square South defeat at Newport County. Out of six Saturday games this season, the spluttering Spitfires have collected just one paltry point. Until this latest collapse they had only ever lost by the odd goal and actually travelled to South Wales boosted by three consecutive clean sheets. But such was the magnitude of defeat that Baird admitted there was now a lot of “deep thinking to be done to rectify this situation” if Eastleigh are to stand any chance of building on last season’s excellent third-placed finish. “I’m a manager who is loyal to his players and if they do the business for me, I will do the best I can for them,” said the boss. “There was no ranting or raving after Saturday’s game, but I said to the players I can’t defend what’s happened here today. “Football’s a results business...

Report by Ray Murphy EASTLEIGH LADIES 5-0 BOSCOMBE LADIES Eastleigh Ladies progressed through the Preliminary Round for the first time of the FA Womens Cup with a victory over Dorset League side Boscombe Albion. The visiting side had the best of the early play without really troubling Eastleigh goalkeeper Alex Brooks, though Emma Hebdige in the heart of the Eastleigh defence had an excellent game for her side. After settling Eastleigh opened the scoring after thirty-five minutes with a delightful lob from outside the area that had the Boscombe goalkeeper Rachel Bodger back-pedalling but unable to stop the effort. Two minutes later and summer signing Alice Thorne was also on target for Eastleigh to give them a two goal cushion. Boscombe had an early chance in the second half which they failed to take and Eastleigh went on to add their third on fifty-two minutes with a fine finish from Fiona Baldwin with her first goal for the club. The Eastleigh midfield with Abi Strode-Gibbons in fi...

Eastleigh Ladies progressed through the Preliminary Round for the first time of the F A Womens Cup with this victory over Dorset League side Boscombe Albion. The visiting side had the best of the early play without really troubling Eastleigh goalkeeper Alex Brooks, though Emma Hebdige in the heart of the Eastleigh defence had an excellent game for her side. After settling Eastleigh opened the scoring after thirty five minutes with a delightful lob from outside the area that had the Boscombe goalkeeper Rachel Bodger back pedalling but unable to stop the effort. Two minutes later and summer signing Alice Thorne was also on target for Eastleigh to give them a two goal cushion. Boscombe had an early chance in the second half which they failed to take and Eastleigh went on to add their third on fifty two minutes with a fine finish from Fiona Baldwin with her first goal for the club. The Eastleigh midfield with Abi Strode-Gibbons in fine form, and Darcey Read gave all sorts of concerns on t...

NEWPORT COUNTY 1-5 EASTLEIGH SATURDAY 12th SEPTEMBER 2009 Blue Square South Report by Ray Murphy The run of three successive clean sheets for the Eastleigh defence was ripped to smithereens thanks to a rampant Newport County side on Saturday. Fresh from their midweek triumph at Bath City manager Ian Baird was hoping for a repeat performance to build up the confidence in his side following their indifferent start to the season. Eastleigh started with Brett Poate in the left back role taking the place of the injured Trevor Challis whilst Shaun McAuley was restored to the left flank following a spell out with injury. Danny Smith retained the right back berth. Eastleigh started brightly and the Newport full back Paul Bignot had his blushes saved in only the second minute when Poate’s free kick was headed back to goal by Bignot which saw Glyn Thompson having to make his first save of the afternoon. The early play was even, Garry Warren rose above everybody in the eleventh minute to give ...

Eastleigh have recently extended the contract of one half of their star centre back partnership. Aaron Martin has never looked back since being handed a regular starting place in the first team last December (2008), and has grown both in stature and ability along the way forming a formidable defensive duo with Tom Jordan. Scoring three goals last season and helping the side to 10 clean sheets in 24 starting appearances, Martin has continued where he left off - as an ever present, in the current campaign. Director of football Dave Malone reported the excellent news: "Aaron agreed a new 2 year deal, which ensures that he is contracted to the Club until 2011. Brett Williams and Michael Green are also on Contract. We trust that this news will be well received, and further demonstrates our desire to retain and develop our best young players. "With Chris Mason and Joe Maxwell both on loan at Bashley along with three other youngsters (Jason Sangha, Adam Wiltshire, Scott Walters) al...

BATH CITY 0-2 EASTLEIGH TUESDAY 8th SEPTEMBER 2009 Blue Square South Report by Ray Murphy Eastleigh’s strange start to the season continued with another excellent midweek performance still outshining the fact that they have not had a victory on a Saturday as yet this season. Steve Clark failed a late fitness test whilst Warren Goodhind and Jamie Brown were both still missing through injury. Danny Smith dropped back into a right full back berth with Trevor Challis being restored at left back and Brett Poate moving forward into a midfield role. It was the perfect start for Eastleigh with just three minutes on the clock as Poate's throw went under the foot of central defender Matt Coupe allowing Andy Forbes to slip a shot past advancing goalkeeper Steve Perrin from inside the penalty area. Forbes almost added to the tally on ten minutes when his header from a Poate corner was saved by Perrin. Three minutes later Perrin brought off an excellent stop to deny an Aaron Martin volley. I...

EASTLEIGH 0-0 STAINES TOWN SATURDAY 5th SEPTEMBER 2009 Blue Square South Report by Jamie Montigue At the fifth time of asking, Eastleigh’s winless Saturday run continued as lady-luck went against the Spitfires once more. An optimistic view to take would be that, although there was still no Saturday win after today’s visit of Staines Town to the Silverlake Stadium, at least a run of four straight weekend defeats was brought to an end by picking up one point in this goalless stalemate. That said, eight points from as many games certainly leaves an awful lot to be desired for Ian Baird and his side and surely their fortune will change sooner rather than later as their performances have in general been good with just a lack of results and not taking the chances created being the most disappointing factor. Eastleigh were boosted by the return of Tony Taggart from suspension, though Warren Goodhind missed out due to a hamstring injury this afternoon in an otherwise unchanged side from t...

By Wendy Gee - WINGER Mike Gosney has burned his bridges with Eastleigh after failing to turn up for training. The on-loan AFC Totton wideman went on as a substitute at Thurrock on August 22, but hasn’t been seen since. He failed to return phone calls from Eastleigh boss Ian Baird and coach Matt Gray, but finally sent a text message to the Spitfires’ director of football David Malone to say he had work commitments. A bemused Baird said: “You give an opportunity to a lad with undoubted ability and then he doesn’t turn up for training or return your calls. “It’s disappointing. Mike seems a nice lad with good ability, but he won’t be involved with us again. “Maybe at Totton you can miss training and still play, but that doesn’t happen at Eastleigh.” What irks Baird most is that Eastleigh let left-sided youngster Michael Green join Totton on loan for a month in exchange for Gosney’s services – a deal that is irreversible. “No way would I have gone ahead with that if I’d known he (...