Let the cup run begin! Spitfires 2-0 Rocks

EASTLEIGH 2-0 BOGNOR REGIS TOWN
 

SATURDAY 25th SEPTEMBER 2010
FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

Report by Jamie Montigue

Eastleigh ensured their name will be in the draw for the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round following a 2-0 success at home to Bognor Regis Town.

The Spitfires’ Ryman Division One South opponents fell behind to an opportunist goal by Richard Graham in the 23rd minute, a lead which was doubled nine minutes from full time by a stunning solo effort from Anthony Riviere.

Ian Baird was able to name an unchanged starting eleven from last weekend’s narrow defeat to Braintree Town meaning Luke Byles was able to make his eagerly-anticipated return to the Silverlake Stadium following a spell in Australia.

The Rocks had brought a good band of vocal support with them this afternoon as their side looked to make a positive start to the cup tie. Bognor’s Ben Johnson hit a speculative effort in the 7th minute, which sailed comfortably wide of Gareth Barfoot’s goal.

In the 18th minute, Barfoot rushed off his goal line to the edge of his penalty area only to spill the ball under pressure and concede a corner. James Prior rose high to meet the set piece in the centre but failed to direct his powerful header.

The opening goal of the game came five minutes later. RICHARD GRAHAM pounced on a loose ball in the danger zone as the Bognor defence failed to deal with a Ross Bottomley cross from the right hand side. Graham stole in unmarked to take full advantage by firing a well-taken half volley past goalkeeper Craig Stoner.

Despite Eastleigh taking the lead, Bognor to their credit refused to give up. Dean Maynard came very close to helping his side draw level in the 26th minute following a well struck shot from all of 25-yards, an attempt that had to be met by a smart stop from Barfoot.

Ben Johnson then shot wide of goal just past the half hour mark before a Will Hendry free kick was headed across goal at the back post by Tom Jordan. Jamie Brown pressured Stoner into dropping the ball but Eastleigh couldn’t make it count on this occasion as the ball ran out of play.

Five minutes before the break, Bognor’s James Crane poked the ball wide of goal following a neat one-two in the Eastleigh penalty area.

Eastleigh’s goal scorer Richard Graham went on an excellent run through the middle of the park in the 42nd minute that saw the tricky winger let fly with a shot from distance only to drag his effort past the upright.

The last of the action in the first half saw Eastleigh come within inches of doubling their advantage on the stroke of half time. Will Hendry won the ball high up the pitch on the left flank before sending an inch-perfect cross into the box with his weaker left foot. Richard Gillespie attacked the ball well with a flying, diving header only to see his attempt marginally wide though deserving of putting Baird’s side two goals to the good.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 1-0 Bognor Regis

Luke Byles after a solid first half display including typically whole-hearted tackles at left-back, was brought down by a poor challenge by Richard Hudson three minutes into the second half. Referee Adrian Quelch only deemed the foul to be worthy of a yellow card; though some may have expected stronger punishment for the late challenge that left the defender in need of treatment.

With the game still very much poised and wide open at 1-0, Eastleigh were looking to add to Graham’s solitary goal, which remained the only separation between the two sides.

Will Hendry went straight through Michael Birmingham in the 56th minute with a miss-timed tackle and justifiably picked up a yellow card for the foul.

Both sides struggled to retain possession and the game had a distinct lack of chances in the opening fifteen minutes of the second half.

On the hour mark, Eastleigh made their first change with Brett Williams replacing Jamie Brown in attack.

A minute later, the first real chance after the break saw Chris Holland have a close range header tipped around the post by Craig Stoner.

The tie came to life in the final twenty minutes with end-to-end action.

In the 67th minute, James Fraser combined with Ben Johnson with the latter forcing Gareth Barfoot into action with a stinging 25-yard drive. The Eastleigh stopper got a strong hand to the shot before reacting well to quickly smother the ball as it came loose.

Former-Bognor Regis midfielder Danny Smith saw a low shot turned around the post by Stoner for an Eastleigh corner twenty minutes from time.

Back at the opposite end, James Prior had the best opportunity for the visitors to equalise but squandered a great chance as he made a mess of a shot when well placed and unmarked in front of goal.

Brett Williams was played in on goal as Eastleigh launched a counter attack, and the young striker came close to finding the top corner with his shot from the right.

Eastleigh stepped up their game with Williams forcing another save out of Stoner from a tight angle to the right of the Bognor goal. Jamie Slabber followed up but was crowded out quickly and had his shot blocked.

Baird’s final substitution saw Anthony Riviere replace Slabber. The midfielder had an injury-hit start to the campaign but made a comeback last weekend as a substitute and continued his recovery to full fitness with a cameo display that ultimately led to the tie being settled in Eastleigh’s favour.

Richard Gillespie who had been operating as a make-shift right winger, pushed up front along side Williams for the remainder of the game to allow Riviere to slot into the Spitfires midfield.

In the 80th minute Gillespie hit a curling effort from the left hand side that sailed high over the cross bar.

Nine minutes from time, the game was put out of sight for Bognor. An outstanding individual effort by ANTHONY RIVIERE was deserving of the win itself as he carried the ball forward from the right with seemingly little on. The midfielder continued to tease defenders with a mazy run and close ball control to weave left and right before finally making space for an unstoppable shot on his left foot that flew past the goalkeeper and into the net.

Eastleigh showed no signs of let up and were now in full swing with three successive corners displaying their level of dominance and pressure on the Bognor goal.

Chris Holland headed narrowly wide from one of the corners and Danny Smith had a shot saved by Stoner in the 87th minute after being teed up by Gillespie.

There was still time for an opportunity to make it 3-0 as Brett Williams took the ball under control sublimely from a free kick into the box, but having set himself up with a great take, could only manage to poke a weak shot straight at the keeper from close range.

Will Hendry so nearly put the icing on the cake displaying excellent vision to spot the keeper off his line and attempt an audacious 40-yard effort that wasn’t all that far wide of goal.

Richard Graham was announced as the Sponsors Man of the Match for his display of creativity and running as well as scoring the opening goal this afternoon.

The victory for Ian Baird's side sees Eastleigh through to the next round of the competition, and gives the Spitfires’ the opportunity to emulate the heroics of last season of reaching the first round proper for the first time in the club’s history.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 2-0 Bognor Regis

Bognor - 250910