Moore: "One of the best goalkeeping displays I have ever seen"

Eastleigh boss Ronnie Moore was delighted with the debut of goalkeeper Ryan Clarke, who played a vital role in helping the Spitfires secure a 2-1 victory over Sutton United, keeping the impressive run of form going in the process.

That was one of the best goalkeeping display I have ever seen , well done Clarky won us 3pts today 👍🍻

— ronnie moore (@ronniemoore53) September 24, 2016

Must give my lads a BIG pat on the back , been brill for me got lucky on Saturday , but hey that's what your keeper should do .hahaClarky 👏

— ronnie moore (@ronniemoore53) September 25, 2016

Clarke, who signed from AFC Wimbledon, made some crucial saves in the second half, none more so than keeping out a late penalty which could have seen Sutton level.

Moore described Clarke's performance as “one of the best goalkeeping displays I have ever seen."

“But for the keeper, we lose the game, no doubt about it. He’ll be disappointed with the one he let in, but the saves he made were fantastic.

“Apparently he’s got a good record on penalties, so I was justified really in putting him in there.

“I’m just disappointed we’re hanging on at home and we shouldn’t be. We should have been out of sight.

“Fair dos to Sutton, they had a good go, they’re a decent team.

“When they throw six (players) against our back four it’s very difficult and that’s when you’ve got to punish sides on the counter-attack and we didn’t do that.

“The last ten or 15 minutes we were bang under the cosh and the keeper’s made some wonder saves.”

Speaking of his own performance, Ryan Clarke said: “It’s been tough on and off the pitch for me. To finish off with three points is perfect.

“I never wanted to drop out of the League – especially League One – but hopefully I’ve taken a step back to go two steps forward with Eastleigh.”

Eastleigh: Ryan Clarke, Joe Partington, Jason Taylor, Michael Green, Reda Johnson, Ryan Cresswell, Jake Howells, Jai Reason, James Constable (Ryan Bird, 88), Mikael Mandron, Luke Coulson. Subs (not used): Ryan Huddart, Adam Dugdale, David Pipe, Ryan Bird, Jamie Cureton.

Sutton Utd: Ross Worner, Kevin Amankwaah, Dan Wishart, Jamie Collins, Simon Downer, Craig Eastmond, Roarie Deacon, Ryan Burge (Ross Stearn, 64), Bedsente Gomis, Dan Fitchett (Bradley Hudson-Odoi, 68), Maxime Biamou (Chris Dickson, 68) . Subs (not used): Louis John, Dan Spence.

Referee: Constantine Hatzidakis

Attendance: 2,853

A fine performance from @ryan_clarke01 this afternoon #spitfires pic.twitter.com/MMiaWQ3Ihi

— Eastleigh FC (@eastleighfc) September 24, 2016

What a tough game but great to get off too a winning start @eastleighfc .

— Ryan Clarke (@ryan_clarke01) September 24, 2016

Buzzing to score two goals today and get another 3 points 👊🏼👏 And a big shoutout to the MOM @ryan_clarke01 What a debut. @eastleighfc ⚽️

— Luke Coulson (@LukeCoulson8) September 24, 2016

Here is the @NonLeaguePaper's @TheNationalLge team of the day. pic.twitter.com/UfR9F2Nazz

— Thomas Feaheny (@ThomasFeaheny) September 25, 2016

Moore in awe of Eastleigh saviour Clarke

EASTLEIGH fans have witnessed some eye-catching debuts this season as the winds of change blow through the Spitfires squad. But even new crowd favourites Reda Johnson and Mikael Mandron would struggle to compete with goalkeeper Ryan Clarke's remarkable impact in yesterday's hair-raising 2-1 National League victory over Sutton United.