Eastleigh in Cup Final Success - Spitfires 2-0 Totton
EASTLEIGH 2-0 AFC TOTTON
WEDNESDAY 16th MAY 2012
Hampshire Senior Cup Final
Match report by Jamie Montigue
Eastleigh FC completed their 2011/12 campaign with jubilant celebrations by lifting silverware after a Hampshire Cup Final victory over AFC Totton at St. Mary's Stadium.
Shaun Wilkinson stepped in as manager for the evening in the absence of Spitfires boss Ian Baird, who is in Hong Kong and will no doubt be delighted with tonight's result on his return. Wilkinson was joined by Phil Pearpoint in the Eastleigh technical area and the pair will have enjoyed the occasion at a Premier League stadium, capped by a positive performance and a 2-0 win from their players.
A goal in either half from Chris Flood and man of the match Mitchell Nelson was more than enough for the Spitfires to seal victory and put their name on the Cup.
Jamie Brown came close to opening the scoring with four minutes played after heading just wide following a cross from Daryl McMahon.
Tom Jordan saw a looping header saved comfortably by Totton goalkeeper Grant Porter four minutes later before Eastleigh went on to open the scoring in the 11th minute.
CHRIS FLOOD was the man to apply the finishing touch at the far post after a sweeping move from the Spitfires resulted in a merited goal. McMahon's exquisite pass over the top of the AFC Totton defence found Nelson to perfection down the right. The wing back pushed forward to get into the penalty area where he crossed to pick out Flood who was in the right place to slide the ball home.
Eastleigh should have doubled their lead in the 14th minute when McMahon's free kick from all of 30 yards was struck with power and proved too hot to handle for Porter, who spilled the ball. Gary Elphick appeared to have a golden opportunity as the ball fell kindly to the centre half, but Elphick was unable to steer his header from just six yards into the net.
Nelson attemped a dipping half volley that flew inches past the up right from just outside the box, before AFC Totton had their best chance to get back on level terms midway through the half at the opposite end. Johnathan Davies broke up the field on a promising counter attack and fed a neat ball through to Nathaniel Sherbourne who in turn poked the ball wide of Gareth Barfoot's goal.
The last two attempts of a comfortable first half for the Spitfires saw a Michael Charles effort lack the necessary power to trouble Barfoot in the 34th minute, then Chris Flood almost doubled his goal tally a minute before the break with a curling shot.
HALF TIME: Eastleigh 1-0 AFC Totton
The second half began with scenes that wouldn't look out of place in a wrestling ring as Michael Green and Ryan Hill had a little 'scrap' by the touchline which resulted in both players being shown a yellow card.
AFC Totton had the better of the opening stages of the second half coming close with Hill's free kick being deflected for a corner early on.
James Coutts had the perfect chance to equalise finding himself unmarked at the back post only to scuff his shot tamely towards goal when well placed.
Johnathan Davies then forced a double save out of Gareth Barfoot, who was already a lot busier than he was in the first half, as the Stages looked to get back in the game.
Eastleigh's first change of the night saw Damian Scannell replaced by Scott Rogers in the 57th minute.
A minute before the hour, Daryl McMahon was denied a brilliant goal as Grant Porter kept out the classy midfielder's volley. Chris Flood was on hand to pounce on the rebound off of the goalkeeper but couldn't quite steer his effort in.
In the 62nd minute, Eastleigh doubled their lead and were now well on course to lift the Trophy as MITCHELL NELSON got his name on the score sheet. Flood worked the channel well down the left hand side and put in a good delivery into the penalty area where Nelson popped up to scramble the ball over the line.
Flood almost added a third goal but his shot was kept out by Porter after being played in by McMahon in the 64th minute.
Sam Wilson came on for Flood with twenty minutes remaining and looked lively in attack as did Richard Gillespie who replaced Gary Holloway in the final ten minutes.
AFC Totton had a free kick by Hill well watched and saved by Barfoot as the Cup Final watched by 2,303 supporters came towards it's conclusion .
In stoppage time Jamie Brown nearly capped a successful evening with a third goal, which would have been a special way for the Eastleigh legend to sign off. Brown, Rogers and Richard Gillespie were all playing for the club for the last time having been released at the end of the league season.
The Spitfires more than deserved their victory in a strong team display where every player played their part. Captain Tom Jordan lifted the Trophy aloft and the Eastleigh players and management team celebrated on the pitch at the final whistle. Everyone involved with the club very much enjoyed the taste of success and we can now look ahead to the new season in earnest with positivity.
FULL TIME: Eastleigh 2-0 AFC Totton
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