Eastleigh 3-0 Torquay


Eastleigh moved up to seventh place in the National League after a 3-0 home win over Torquay United.

Ronnie Moore made three changes to his starting eleven with Ryan Clarke returning in goal just days after his personal heartache. Jamie Cureton made his first start for the Spitfires and James Constable also came back in to the starting eleven to partner 41-year-old Cureton in attack. The players to make way were Ryan Huddart, Ryan Bird and Mikael Mandron.

After a somewhat dull and goalless first forty-five minutes, the Spitfires opened the scoring a few minutes after the break to begin the second half in a positive way.

Jamie Cureton flicked the ball home with a diving header to get on the end of Luke Coulson's cross.

As the game went on, it looked like it would be a narrow victory for the hosts, but suddenly the Spitfires struck twice more in the closing minutes to seal a rather more convincing 3-0 scoreline.

Andy Drury doubled Eastleigh's advantage late on when Jai Reason's clever indirect free kick inside the penalty area was set up neatly for Drury, who slotted home coolly finding a gap despite a host of defenders on the goal line.

Ryan Bird added a third, his seventh goal of the season, to add gloss to the final score, as he tapped home after Mikael Mandron's shot could only be pushed into the striker's path.

It was another clean sheet (Eastleigh's third consecutive shut-out in all competitions and ninth clean sheet since Moore took charge), and three precious points for the Spitfires. 

Ryan Clarke was named man of the match and must be praised for his character and professionalism. It speaks for itself the way he put himself forward to play so soon after the sad death of his father.

Eastleigh will now be looking ahead to Saturday's long trip to Barrow for the televised fixture on the back of a very positive result. Moore's side are now just one point outside the playoff positions, and four behinds second-placed Dagenham & Redbridge.

Eastleigh: Ryan Clarke, Joe Partington, Michael Green, Andy Drury, Reda Johnson, Ryan Cresswell, Jason Taylor, Luke Coulson, Jamie Cureton (Ryan Bird, 80), James Constable (Mikael Mandron, 86), Jai Reason. Subs (not used): Connor Essam, Jake Howells, Ryan Huddart.

Referee: David Rock

Attendance: 2,116

Eastleigh 3-0 Torquay (with images, tweets) · eastleighfc

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