Eastleigh v Truro City - Match preview
Match preview by Kieran James
Ian Baird’s Spitfires take on Truro City at The Silverlake Stadium tomorrow in the Blue Square Bet South (3pm kick off) and Eastleigh are looking to get back to winning ways after a disappointing result against rivals Salisbury City on Tuesday.
The Spitfires started brightly at the The Raymond McEnhill Stadium, however Salisbury took the advantage after 33 minutes. Stuart Sinclair slotted past on-loan Southampton keeper Jack Dovey to put the home side in front.
With Eastleigh having most of the possession, it looked destined for another 1-1 draw between the two teams but The White’s second half substitute Dan Fitchett ran down the left wing five minutes from time and squared the ball to Abdubai Bell-Baggie who made no mistake with the finish.
Salisbury could have scored a third when they were awarded a penalty late in the game but it was sent wide by Brian Dutton. The 2-0 defeat kept Eastleigh in 8th place seeing an opportunity missed to move up to sixth in the table on Tuesday night.
Saturday’s opponents Truro City were away to Dover Athletic last weekend where The White Tigers also had a day to forget.
Truro took the lead just after ten minutes when Ian Simpemba handled the ball in the area and the referee awarded a penalty.
Scott Walker stood up for the visitors and converted his 13th goal in the Blue Square Bet South, but the lead lasted only eight minutes. Michael Corcoran collected the ball in the centre and sent a great ball to Terry Dixon down the left wing.
Dixon’s cutback from the by-line was deflected into the path of George Purcell who controlled the ball, turned and fired across Truro keeper Oliver Chenoweth and into the back of the net.
Ten minutes from half time, Dover took the lead when Jemal Johnson ran down the right and saw his cross handled by Scott Walker in the area.
Johnson stepped up to take the penalty he won and converted it coolly by rolling the ball into the corner of the net to mark his debut for the club with a goal.
After Truro threatened to equalise, Dover doubled their advantage in the final minute of added time. Donovan Simmonds' cross picked out Battipiedi at the far post and he laid the ball off for second half substitute Billy Bricknell to turn and shoot into the net.
The last time these two teams met was earlier in the season at Treyew Road. The Spitfires made the long trip up to Truro and Andy Watkins opened the scoring after just ten minutes. Andrew White (now at Winchester City) soon changed that in the second minute of stoppage time before the break with a well placed header.
The Spitfires then conceded a penalty which Scott Walker converted to score the winning goal.
In other news Graeme Montgomery has been released by the club after only two months since the winger signed a season long contract following a loan spell from Aldershot Town.
‘Monty’ who was subbed as a substitute in Tuesday’s game against Salisbury, made 24 appearances for The Spitfires scoring four goals for the club.
Richard Gillespie has gone back on loan to Bashley, meanwhile Chris Flood is out for two weeks with an injury and Gary Elphick could be in doubt due to a hamstring problem.
COME ON YOU SPITFIRES!
Ian Baird’s Spitfires take on Truro City at The Silverlake Stadium tomorrow in the Blue Square Bet South (3pm kick off) and Eastleigh are looking to get back to winning ways after a disappointing result against rivals Salisbury City on Tuesday.
The Spitfires started brightly at the The Raymond McEnhill Stadium, however Salisbury took the advantage after 33 minutes. Stuart Sinclair slotted past on-loan Southampton keeper Jack Dovey to put the home side in front.
With Eastleigh having most of the possession, it looked destined for another 1-1 draw between the two teams but The White’s second half substitute Dan Fitchett ran down the left wing five minutes from time and squared the ball to Abdubai Bell-Baggie who made no mistake with the finish.
Salisbury could have scored a third when they were awarded a penalty late in the game but it was sent wide by Brian Dutton. The 2-0 defeat kept Eastleigh in 8th place seeing an opportunity missed to move up to sixth in the table on Tuesday night.
Saturday’s opponents Truro City were away to Dover Athletic last weekend where The White Tigers also had a day to forget.
Truro took the lead just after ten minutes when Ian Simpemba handled the ball in the area and the referee awarded a penalty.
Scott Walker stood up for the visitors and converted his 13th goal in the Blue Square Bet South, but the lead lasted only eight minutes. Michael Corcoran collected the ball in the centre and sent a great ball to Terry Dixon down the left wing.
Dixon’s cutback from the by-line was deflected into the path of George Purcell who controlled the ball, turned and fired across Truro keeper Oliver Chenoweth and into the back of the net.
Ten minutes from half time, Dover took the lead when Jemal Johnson ran down the right and saw his cross handled by Scott Walker in the area.
Johnson stepped up to take the penalty he won and converted it coolly by rolling the ball into the corner of the net to mark his debut for the club with a goal.
After Truro threatened to equalise, Dover doubled their advantage in the final minute of added time. Donovan Simmonds' cross picked out Battipiedi at the far post and he laid the ball off for second half substitute Billy Bricknell to turn and shoot into the net.
The last time these two teams met was earlier in the season at Treyew Road. The Spitfires made the long trip up to Truro and Andy Watkins opened the scoring after just ten minutes. Andrew White (now at Winchester City) soon changed that in the second minute of stoppage time before the break with a well placed header.
The Spitfires then conceded a penalty which Scott Walker converted to score the winning goal.
In other news Graeme Montgomery has been released by the club after only two months since the winger signed a season long contract following a loan spell from Aldershot Town.
‘Monty’ who was subbed as a substitute in Tuesday’s game against Salisbury, made 24 appearances for The Spitfires scoring four goals for the club.
Richard Gillespie has gone back on loan to Bashley, meanwhile Chris Flood is out for two weeks with an injury and Gary Elphick could be in doubt due to a hamstring problem.
COME ON YOU SPITFIRES!
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