Hendry comes back to haunt Eastleigh
By Wendy Gee - 
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| Will Hendry - Came back to haunt Eastleigh |
Eastleigh’s hopes of breaking into the Blue Square Bet South play-off zone suffered a devastating blow last night – at the hands of one of their former players.
On paper the Spitfires had the perfect opportunity to climb two places to fifth when they travelled to struggling Maidenhead United, who had won just one of their last 20 league games.
But Spitfires old boy Will Hendry – advised by manager Ian Baird to take up golf because he “was not a team player” when he released him last October – came back to haunt them by firing the Magpies to an unlikely 1-0 victory.
It was Maidenhead’s first home league win since late August and comes as a major body blow to Eastleigh, who remain static in seventh spot having used up their game in hand.
The deciding goal came three minutes after half-time when Anthony Thomas delivered a right-wing cross that was headed in by Hendry at the far post.
Eastleigh, who played Ian Herring at right-back in place of the suspended Warren Goodhind, had two good chances to reply, but skipper Tom Jordan and fellow defender Luke Byles sent headers off target.
“I’m gutted for the players because they didn’t deserve to get beaten,” said Baird.
“What disappointments me is the criticism we’ve taken from some of our fans, suggesting we don’t want to get in the play-offs and get promoted.
“What people don’t realise is that the players are just as disappointed – if not more – than they are. We’ve got a very despondent dressing room.”
Baird’s job now is to lift those players’ spirits before Saturday’s must-win game against third-placed Ebbsfleet United at the Silverlake Stadium.
“We haven’t been able to make the most of our games in hand and right now I feel like someone’s stuck a knife under my armpit and into my heart.
“But we do live to fight another day,” said Baird.
“If we win three and draw one of our last four games, we’ve still got every chance of making the play-offs.
“We know we have to win on Saturday. If not, the ship will be in the harbour.”
Eastleigh have agreed to a request from hosts Boreham Wood to switch their Easter Saturday fixture to Good Friday (April 22, 1pm). The change will give the Spitfires extra recovery time before Easter Monday’s visit of Hampton & Richmond Borough (1pm).
On paper the Spitfires had the perfect opportunity to climb two places to fifth when they travelled to struggling Maidenhead United, who had won just one of their last 20 league games.
But Spitfires old boy Will Hendry – advised by manager Ian Baird to take up golf because he “was not a team player” when he released him last October – came back to haunt them by firing the Magpies to an unlikely 1-0 victory.
It was Maidenhead’s first home league win since late August and comes as a major body blow to Eastleigh, who remain static in seventh spot having used up their game in hand.
The deciding goal came three minutes after half-time when Anthony Thomas delivered a right-wing cross that was headed in by Hendry at the far post.
Eastleigh, who played Ian Herring at right-back in place of the suspended Warren Goodhind, had two good chances to reply, but skipper Tom Jordan and fellow defender Luke Byles sent headers off target.
“I’m gutted for the players because they didn’t deserve to get beaten,” said Baird.
“What disappointments me is the criticism we’ve taken from some of our fans, suggesting we don’t want to get in the play-offs and get promoted.
“What people don’t realise is that the players are just as disappointed – if not more – than they are. We’ve got a very despondent dressing room.”
Baird’s job now is to lift those players’ spirits before Saturday’s must-win game against third-placed Ebbsfleet United at the Silverlake Stadium.
“We haven’t been able to make the most of our games in hand and right now I feel like someone’s stuck a knife under my armpit and into my heart.
“But we do live to fight another day,” said Baird.
“If we win three and draw one of our last four games, we’ve still got every chance of making the play-offs.
“We know we have to win on Saturday. If not, the ship will be in the harbour.”
Eastleigh have agreed to a request from hosts Boreham Wood to switch their Easter Saturday fixture to Good Friday (April 22, 1pm). The change will give the Spitfires extra recovery time before Easter Monday’s visit of Hampton & Richmond Borough (1pm).
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