4 goals for Bird and 6 for Eastleigh as Spitfires soar into 1st Round of FA Cup

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Eastleigh 6-0 North Leigh - FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round


The Spitfires soared into the First Round Proper of the FA Cup after a thoroughly convincing 6-0 victory at home versus North Leigh.

Ronnie Moore's side suffered their first defeat under his management last week in the league against Dagenham & Redbridge, but today was all about the magic of the cup.

Last season Eastleigh went on a history-making run in the FA Cup where they eventually lost to Bolton Wanderers in the 3rd Round, having taken the then Championship side to a replay. Along the way, Eastleigh saw off competition from league sides such as Crewe Alexandra in a truly memorable FA Cup campaign.

Despite being an injury doubt before the game, Ryan Cresswell returned to action to partner Reda Johnson, back from a one-match suspension, in the centre of defence.

Moore named a strong starting eleven up against a side who are three divisions lower than Eastleigh, showing just how seriously the Spitfires are taking the competition.

It was good to see academy youngsters Tom Bearwish and Jordan Beeke, both 17-years-old, amongst the substitutes and in the squad. Even though they didn't get on, it's a valuable experience for them to be around the first-team professionals and a chance to learn from them close up.

Eastleigh ran out comfortable winners on the day with striker Ryan Bird scoring four of the Spitfires' six goals.

After Bird had put Eastleigh two goals to the good, Andy Drury added a third for the hosts just before half-time.

Bird completed his hat trick and then scored a fourth to put Eastleigh well in control at 5-0, before James Constable came off the bench with immediate effect to net a sixth without reply.

This was Eastleigh's biggest margin of victory in the competition to date, and it was also the first time in three years that the Spitfires had scored six in one game.

Eastleigh chairman Stewart Donald was widely praised for his generosity as he made the fantastic gesture of giving the gate receipts to visitors North Leigh.

Eastleigh: Ryan Clarke, Joe Partington, Michael Green, Andy Drury, Ryan Cresswell, Reda Johnson (David Pipe, 46), Luke Coulson, Jason Taylor, Ryan Bird (Scott Wilson, 72), Mikael Mandron (James Constable, 61), Jai Reason. Subs (not used): Ryan Huddart, Adam Dawson, Tom Bearwish, Jordan Beeke.

North Leigh: Connor Thompson, Jon Else, Michael Hopkins, Wayne Turk (James Murphy, 72), Stuart Hole, Dan James, Eric Odhiambo, Elliot Osborne-Ricketts (Roger James, 46), George Seacole (Morgan Williams, 75), Lance Williams, Aaron Woodley. Subs: Richard Platt, Matt Woodley, Jamie Cook, Callum McNish.

Referee: Richard Hulme
Attendance: 889


Read all of the build up, action and reaction to Eastleigh's 6-0 FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round win v North Leigh here:

4 goals for Bird and 6 for Eastleigh as Spitfires soar into 1st Round of FA Cup (with images, tweets) · eastleighfc

Eastleigh 6-0 North Leigh - FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round



















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