Eastleigh FC

EASTLEIGH v WORCESTER CITY SATURDAY 31st OCTOBER 2009 Blue Square South Report by Jamie Montigue Having drawn a blank at the Silverlake Stadium on Tuesday night in a 0-0 draw with Hampton & Richmond Borough, Ian Baird was looking for his side to pick up a valuable win to aid the Spitfires’ climb back up the Blue Square South. The Spitfires achieved two wins out of two against Richard Dryden’s charges last season - a record that the former Saints defender would have been looking to change this afternoon. Naming an unchanged starting eleven from the midweek draw, Eastleigh made a lively opening as they sought three points at home to Worcester City. Eastleigh made a great start to the game in getting the ball into the box at the earliest opportunity by pegging the visitors back and under pressure from the off. Anthony Riviere’s fourth minute strike was heading for the top corner as the game sprung to life, though the tireless midfielder’s effort was denied a spectacular goal thanks...

Eastleigh Reds Under 10's are looking for players (defenders, midfielders and strikers) to trial with them at the Silverlake Stadium, Eastleigh on Tuesday night's. Successful players will then have the chance to train with the team on Saturday's at the football club's training facilities. For further info ring: 07900987655

By Adrian Kajumba - Eastleigh director of football Dave Malone says the Spitfires have no fears about facing higher league Barrow in the FA Cup, after discovering the identity of their first round opponents last night. The Spitfires were awaiting the outcome of the replay between Blue Square Premier rivals Chester City and Barrow to find out who they would face in their first ever first round proper tie. Following Eastleigh’s 0-0 league draw against Hampton & Richmond Borough at The Silverlake Stadium news filtered through that Barrow had romped to a 4-0 win at Chester in the fourth qualifying round replay. Eastleigh will now travel to Barrow’s Holker Street home on Saturday week bidding to make club history once again and reach the second round for the first time ever. And Malone said: “There won’t be any fear from us. “Fear is not is not in our vocabulary I don’t think." Full story in today's Daily Echo

EASTLEIGH v HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH TUESDAY 27th OCTOBER 2009 Blue Square South Report by Jamie Montigue After Saturday’s FA Cup history-making win over Dover Athletic, Eastleigh’s attentions were reverted back to the Blue Square South for this midweek game with Alan Devonshire’s Beavers. Hampton & Richmond Borough were just a point and one place ahead of Eastleigh in the table going into this evening’s contest. The Spitfires meanwhile, were looking to bounce back from the 3-0 home defeat to Maidenhead United a fortnight ago, by building on the impressive 5-3 away win in the ‘FAmous Cup’ where a Tony Taggart inspired double, helped Ian Baird’s side on their way to reaching the 1st Round proper for the first time in the club’s history. Aaron Martin may well have played his last game for the club in the weekend victory as he was not included in the squad tonight. It is thought that discussions between Southampton and Eastleigh are ongoing and a deal for the highly rated 19-...

"We can confirm that we have today completed the signing of Aaron Cook from Newport County. Aaron is a commanding centre half, and has previously been at Salisbury City, Bashley, Havant & Waterlooville. "We can also confirm that we have extended the loan spell of James Taylor from AFC Totton." Related story: Aaron Cook

The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON First Round Proper Draw Ties to be played 7 and 8 November 2009 Winning Clubs receive £18,000 from The FA's Prize Fund 1 Gillingham v Southend United 2 Grimsby Town v Bath City 3 Gateshead v Brentford 4 Chesterfield v AFC Bournemouth 5 Blyth Spartans or AFC Telford United v Lincoln City 6 Stockport County v Tooting and Mitcham or Eastbourne Borough 7 Burton Albion v Oxford City 8 Barrow or Chester City v Eastleigh 9 Oldham Athletic v Leeds United 10 Lincoln United or Cambridge United v Ilkeston Town 11 York City v Crewe Alexandra 12 Wycombe Wanderers v Brighton and Hove Albion 13 Hereford United v Sutton United 14 Nuneaton Town v Exeter City 15 Bristol Rovers v Southampton 16 Carlisle United v Morecambe 17 Forest Green Rovers v Mansfield Town 18 Oxford United v Yeovil Town 19 Paulton Rovers v Norwich City 20 Swindon Town v Woking 21 Port Vale v Stevenage Borough 22 Luton Town v Rochdale 23 Bromley v Colchester United 24 Accrington Stanley v F...

DOVER ATHLETIC v EASTLEIGH SATURDAY 24th OCTOBER 2009 FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round Report by Ray Murphy For the first time since Eastleigh (or Swaythling Athletic as they were know then) first entered the F A Challenge Cup competition in 1975 the Club have reached the First Round Proper and find themselves in a cup draw that includes names such as Leeds United, Southampton, Norwich City, Millwall and the list goes on. The only time their name had been in the draw before this date they still had a Fourth Qualifying Round replay to overcome, which they fell at that hurdle but they had then a home draw with Rotherham United. This time with no hesitation they will be in the draw on their own merit. Eastleigh supporters were welcomed with good news from the start with Andy Forbes being declared fit enough to resume his striking role for the first time for five weeks. James Taylor and Jamie White found themselves on the Eastleigh bench as Aaron Martin returned to the side following injur...

By Adrian Kajumba - IAN Baird has confirmed Eastleigh are on the verge of signing former Salisbury skipper Aaron Cook from league rivals Newport County – but says reports that the transfer was a done deal are premature. The transfer of experienced centre-back Cook, who joined Newport from the Whites initially on loan in November 2008, was reported to have been completed late last night on the club’s official website. But while Spitfires manager Baird confirmed he has agreed a deal with the 29 year-old and expects the transfer to go through he said it hasn’t quite been just yet. Speaking ahead of his side’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round clash at Blue Square South rivals Dover Athletic, Baird said: “It (the transfer) hasn’t gone through. “From what I’m led to believe they put it on their website, which I think is jumping the gun as so many things can happen in football as we all know. “But we are genuinely interested. “He is a player I want to bring in and I have spoken to Aaron and y...

We can confirm that the transfer of Brett Williams to AFC Totton was completed tonight (Thursday). We have agreed with AFC Totton that the fee will remain undisclosed, but we can confirm that the amount is a record fee received for any transfer in the history of Eastleigh FC. The possible transfer of Aaron Martin is unlikely to be completed this week, and Aaron will be in the squad travelling to Dover tomorrow.

By Wendy Gee - AFC Totton are on the brink of buying another of Eastleigh's talented youngsters. Terms have been agreed for 21-year-old striker Brett Williams to make a permanent move to Testwood Park having already enjoyed a fruitful loan spell with the Zamaretto Division 1 South & West promotion hopefuls. It is hoped the deal will go through in time for Williams to be available for Totton’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie at Bath City on Saturday. Williams’s departure will be a blow to Eastleigh fans who were won over by the former Winchester City frontman when he burst onto the first-team scene last season. The Southampton-born hitman netted four goals in ten starts and 14 sub appearances for Ian Baird’s side as they powered towards the Blue Square South play-offs. The Spitfires have only recently sold another of their young finds, 20-year-old former Christchurch left-sided player Michael Green, to Totton. And if centre-back Aaron Martin, 20, gets his dream move to...

"The Board can confirm that we have accepted an offer from AFC Totton for striker Brett Williams. The player has agreed personal terms, and the deal is expected to be completed within the next 24 hours. "Manager Ian Baird, whilst disappointed to lose a talented young player, is in complete agreement with the transfer and will now be in a position to look to strengthen his squad. "Brett, who joined on a free transfer from Winchester City last year, has significant promise - and we will watch his progress with interest. "We would ask our supporters to recognise, as always, that when a significant offer is made for any player - we are obliged to consider the financial consequences. Our present level of support, which is down on last season, does not sustain our obligations - and thus we are always realistic when dealing with offers from other Clubs. "Needless to say, we wish Brett well for his future and thank him for his contribution to the Club over the past ...

EASTLEIGH v MAIDENHEAD UNITED SATURDAY 17th OCTOBER 2009 Blue Square South Report by Jamie Montigue Maidenhead United came to the Silverlake Stadium this afternoon in fine form with 13 points from a possible 15 in their past five games. Johnson Hippolyte’s side were in no mood for niceties as they looked to continue their impressive run. Eastleigh had appeared to turn a corner in recent weeks after a fairly average start to the campaign, by recording some good results and displaying excellent performances over the past month or so including a comprehensive 2-0 win over league rivals Basingstoke Town in the FA Cup last weekend. The Spitfires manager Ian Baird called for continuity from his side in the build up to this game, and though his side showed early promise it turned out to be a game of misery and disappointment for the hosts who were comfortably beaten by a solid, hard-working Magpies side. Amid all the speculation of a dream move to Southampton for highly rated Spitfires def...

By Adam Leitch - ALAN Pardew will ensure Saints do not miss out on the top local talent as long as he is manager – and is weighing up a move for Eastleigh centre half Aaron Martin. As a product of non-league football himself, Pardew is all too aware of the bargains to be found at that level. He has a track record of recruiting from semi-professional football as well as full time. He has already accepted a recommendation to look at 20-year-old Eastleigh defender Martin in training and Tuesday’s reserve game at Plymouth, in which the former Itchen College student performed well. Pardew is clearly impressed, not only with Martin’s ability but his attitude which is a key component in making such a big step up. And he is hoping to sit down and talk over the options with Eastleigh and Martin with a move to St Mary’s a real possibility. He said: “He’s a super lad and has conducted himself in a great manner and represented Eastleigh fantastically. “I haven’t spoken to the play...

Eastleigh have been drawn away from home in the next round of the FA Cup following the Spitfires' 2-0 win over Basingstoke Town at the weekend. (Draw in full below) The 32 winning clubs in the fourth qualifying round will receive £12,500 from the Football Association's prize fund. FA Cup fourth qualifying round draw: Hinckley United v Histon Nuneaton Town v Guiseley/Kendal Town FC Halifax Town v Wrexham Gateshead v Alfreton Town/Southport Workington v Rushden & Diamonds Mansfield Town v Altrincham Buxton/Bradford Park Avenue v Stourbridge/Hucknall Town Salford City/Blyth Spartans v AFC Telford United/Worcester City Ilkeston Town/Eastwood Town v Tamworth Lincoln United/Frickley Athletic v Cambridge United Kettering Town v Redditch United Northwich Victoria v FC United of Manchester/Stalybridge Celtic Barrow v Chester City Kidderminster Harriers v Fleetwood Town York City v Bedworth United Hendon/Ashford Town (Middlesex) v Woking Gloucester City v Lowestoft Town/Sutton Col...

By Wendy Gee - FORMER Itchen College pupil Aaron Martin will be handed a Saints reserve chance tomorrow after impressing Alan Pardew during a short trial. The 20-year-old Eastleigh centre half is likely to feature for Stewart Henderson’s reserve side at Plymouth Argyle tomorrow afternoon as his dream of a professional career gathers pace. Martin, who has played at Wembley for England Schools, has spent the last two weeks training full time with Pardew’s squad at Staplewood. Describing his time at Saints as “absolutely brilliant”, Martin said: “The training’s been unbelievable. “Where Southampton have had midweek games, I’ve sometimes been with the under-18s and reserves and sometimes with the first team. “It’s given me a lot of confidence playing-wise and I feel I’ve learned a lot in terms of footwork, winning headers, getting my arm up etc. “I’ve spoken to Alan Pardew and he seems impressed with me. I think he likes what he’s seen. “In training I’ve been defending ag...

EASTLEIGH v BASINGSTOKE TOWN SATURDAY 10th OCTOBER 2009 FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round Report by Jamie Montigue A confident performance from Eastleigh saw Ian Baird’s side dump neighbours and Blue Square South rivals Basingstoke Town out of the FA Cup and seal a place for the Spitfires in the next round. Having scored twice at Havant & Waterlooville’s Westleigh Park in the league last weekend to salvage a point, in-form striker Richard Gillespie netted the opening goal of the afternoon today for his fourth goal in three games. Jamie White was handed a starting place after signing on a month’s loan from League One side Southampton in midweek, meaning Tony Taggart had to make do with a place on the substitute’s bench. Captain Tom Jordan returned to the side having shrugged off an injury in the only other change to the starting line up from the side that drew 2-2 at Havant seven days ago. In the opening stages of this cup tie, Anthony Riviere was particularly outstanding winning the b...

Eastleigh's Director of Football unveiled the Spitfires' latest loan recruit as Southampton's Jamie White completed his loan move from the Saints. "We are delighted to confirm that on Wednesday we completed the loan signing of striker Jamie White from Southampton FC. The loan is for a one month period, and will be of great assistance to us at a time when we have several injuries to first team players. "Jamie will be available to play for us on Saturday in our FA Cup tie at home to Basingstoke. "We are extremely grateful to Saints for their co-operation in arranging this loan, and we trust that the time Jamie spends with us is mutually beneficial." ---------- "Young Saints striker Jamie White has joined near neighbours Eastleigh on loan for a month. "The forward who recently turned 20 years-old, has made the short trip across to the Blue Square South outfit and will provide extra fire power to the Spitfires' front line. ...

CHRISTCHURCH 2-1 EASTLEIGH (After Extra Time) TUESDAY 6th OCTOBER 2009 Hampshire Senior Cup Report by Ray Murphy Eastleigh bowed out of this seasons Hampshire Senior Cup at their first hurdle with this away defeat at Sydenhams League Christchurch after extra time. It was a strange looking Eastleigh side that took the field, with player availability and a couple of games coming up for the Club for which key personnel was rested. Included in the side was manager Ian Baird making his first playing appearance in an Eastleigh shirt, along with Andy Cook who usually is seen in the physio role, though both showed that their previous playing credentials were of a high quality. It was one of the up and coming reserve team players that took the eye in the fifth minute, Jason Brookes. The 21-year old winger finishing with aplomb with a delicately placed chip-shot over the immense figure of Stewart Kearn in the Christchurch goal, to give Eastleigh an early lead. Eastleigh did start well; Baird...

Blue Square Announce “Player of the Month” Awards for September “Five Star Performances Earn Clarke Monthly Award” Oxford United goalkeeper Ryan Clarke has won the Blue Square Premier “Player of the Month” award for September. The former England U21 stopper has been a key feature in Oxford’s fantastic start to the season since signing from Northwich Victoria in the summer. Clarke completed a run of six consecutive clean sheets in the first four games of the month and made it five shut-outs from seven in the period. The award makes a double for Oxford with boss Chris Wilder scooping the honours for ‘Manager of the Month’. In the Blue Square South the award goes to Newport County striker Craig Reid. The Coventry born forward found the net seven times in five matches as Dean Holdsworth’s side kept their title push on track. Holdsworth himself took the managers award to make it a September double for the Welsh club. Dan Lowson from Ilkeston Town has won the award in the Blue Square Nort...

HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE 2-2 EASTLEIGH SATURDAY 3rd OCTOBER 2009 Blue Square South Report by Jamie Montigue Warren Goodhind gets stuck into the action at Havant & Waterlooville A second half Eastleigh revival inspired by two-goal hero Richard Gillespie, his first league goals for the club since his summer move from Bashley, earned the Spitfires a well-deserved point at Shaun Gale’s Havant & Waterlooville. At the hands of their local rivals and in front of a great crowd of 1,451, Ian Baird who returned to face his former club once more saw his side begin well enough only to fall behind to a Mustafa Tiryaki goal in the 30th minute following a rare mistake from keeper Jason Matthews. Luke Nightingale smashed the ball home with a thunderous strike to double the Hawks' lead before the break. At this point, things were looking bleak for the visitors but after the interval there was only one side in the game as Eastleigh came out far stronger and dominated second half pro...

Eastleigh Director of Football Dave Malone confirmed the following news stories on the club message board: (1) "Steve Clark has agreed terms with Chelmsford City, and we await the completion of the necessary documents to finalise the transfer. We are confident that this time it will be completed!" (2) "We have agreed a fee for the transfer of Michael Green to AFC Totton. Whilst we are sorry to be losing a player of undoubted talent and promise, the offer made by the other Club was sufficient enough for us to accept - bearing in mind that Michael had not made a single appearance for us at Senior level. Again, this transfer is subject to the final completion of documentation, and the agreement of terms between Michael and AFC Totton." "The Directors of EFC would wish to make it clear that both of the above transfers have been approved in order for the Club to retain a sensible financial balance. The Manager is aware of the need to operate within a strict financi...