Home form continues for Spitfires

EASTLEIGH 2-0 BOREHAM WOOD
SATURDAY 17th DECEMBER 2011
Blue Square Bet South

Match Report by Jamie Montigue

EASTLEIGH: Jack Dovey, Andy Forbes, Michael Green, Jamie Brown, Tom Jordan (c), Mitchell Nelson, Jordace Holder-Spooner (Danny Smith 56), Scott Rogers, Jamie Slabber (Ross Bottomley 88), Damian Scannell, Graeme Montgomery (Chris Flood 81). Subs (not used): Gareth Barfoot, Billy Tsovolos.

Goals: Eastleigh - Jamie Slabber (36), Damian Scannell (68).

Half Time - 1-0 Eastleigh, Full Time - 2-0 Eastleigh

Attendance: 490

Eastleigh secured back to back home wins to move up to tenth place in the Blue Square Bet South after recording a 2-0 victory over Boreham Wood.

Ian Baird's side are now unbeaten in seven league games at the Silverlake Stadium with five victories and two draws stretching back to the 17th September. It was also Eastleigh's third clean sheet of the season.

The Spitfires made two changes to the starting eleven that beat Thurrock last weekend. Jamie Slabber returned from injury to lead the attack whilst young defender Mitchell Nelson made his debut following his recent transfer from AFC Bournemouth. Ross Bottomley and Billy Tsovolos were the players to make way, whilst Danny Smith returned from suspension and was named as a substitute.

With just a minute played, Eastleigh started off on the front foot with Jamie Slabber feeding the ball through with an excellent cross from the right hand side. Graeme Montgomery latched on to the pass and spotted Michael Jordan off his line but couldn’t quite beat the backpedalling keeper with his lofted effort.

In the fourth minute, Eastleigh won a free kick in a dangerous position which Montgomery struck very well towards the top right hand corner of goal. Michael Jordan had to be at his best diving to his left to tip the effort over the bar.

Boreham Wood continued to find themselves under threat in the opening stages as Eastleigh came close for the third time in the game inside the opening five minutes when, from the resulting corner kick, debutant Mitchell Nelson’s downward header had to be cleared off the goal line.

Jordace Holder-Spooner was the next to trouble the visitors following a sweeping Eastleigh move. Nelson glided forward from right back with a powerful run before finding the feet of Damian Scannell inside the penalty area. The ball was then fed to Holder-Spooner to the right of goal, who initially lost his footing but composed himself to drill a low strike across goal and inches past the far post.

Midway through the half, Slabber attempted an overhead kick after chesting the ball down but his effort failed to trouble the keeper on this occasion. Boreham Wood’s first meaningful attempt of the game didn’t come until the 29th minute. Andy Forbes uncharacteristically gave the ball away where David Bryant was on hand to force Jack Dovey into action who saved well with his legs. Sam Lechmere followed up only to send the ball wide.

The opening goal of the game came in the 36th minute, and it was worth waiting for. JAMIE SLABBER intervened on an under hit back pass towards the visiting goalkeeper where Eastleigh's leading scorer shaped to knock the ball past Michael Jordan but instead let the ball run with a cleverly disguised dummy. Slabber then ran through to tap the ball into an empty net for his ninth goal of the season in all competitions. After the game manager Ian Baird said: “that little bit of artistry was worth the admission money”. 

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 1-0 Boreham Wood

After the break, Eastleigh were the first to have a shot on goal when Damian Scannell’s close control, turn and low shot was saved by Michael Jordan in the 52nd minute.

Eastleigh’s first change of the game saw Danny Smith replace Jordace Holder-Spooner four minutes later.

On the hour mark the visitors had shouts for a penalty turned down when Jamie Brown made a perfectly timed last ditch tackle on David Bryant to win the ball. Referee Gary Jerden was uninterested in any claims for a foul.

The Spitfires went on to extend their advantage with a fantastic second goal. DAMIAN SCANNELL ensured Eastleigh would claim all three points as he doubled the Spitfires lead in the 68th minute for his first goal since returning to the club. Michael Green provided the goal with a superb assist as the left back charged down the left flank beating two players before delivering a superb cross to the back post. Scannell was on hand to turn the ball home with a well-executed diving header.

Just a minute after the goal, Scannell put in a cross for Slabber, who perhaps should have done a little better with the opportunity but failed to hit the target with his header.

The last of the chances fell to Boreham Wood when Sam Lechmere’s low goal bound effort was well blocked by Andy Forbes who stood his ground to make an important clearance.

Chris Flood and Ross Bottomley were handed a taste of the action in the closing stages of the game for the hosts as the Spitfires saw out the victory comfortably.

Damian Scannell was awarded the sponsors man of the match for another good display. Mitchell Nelson impressed on his debut providing a solid look to the back four which proved successful with a clean sheet.

Nelson was strong in the air, sound defensively and wasn’t afraid to get forward to offer support to the midfielders.

It was another impressive display from the Spitfires whose season has taken a major step forward in these exciting times for the club.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 2-0 Boreham Wood

Boreham Wood - 171211

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