Eastleigh Reserves 2-0 Epsom & Ewell

EASTLEIGH RESERVES 2-0 EPSOM



EASTLEIGH LINE UP: Alan Walker-Harris, Dan Long, Craig Martin, Dan Brunnen, Toure Mamadouba, Adam Roberts (Simpson), Chris Hall (c) (Cansdale), Nick Stavroulakis, Scott Vidler, Zach Glasspool (Williams), Ben Ngwa

SUBS: Lee Cozens (GK), Craig Cansdalde, Ben Simpson, Dan Smith, Brett Williams

Match Report by Jamie Montigue

4. Zach Glasspool had good chance to give Eastleigh an early lead when he closed down the defence to force the error but his shot was just off target going past the far post.

12. It was all Eastleigh and Epsom rarely had a sniff. Ben Ngwa was brought down right on the edge of the area, Glasspool stepped up to strike it cleanly with his left foot but the shot was charged down well and it went out for a corner ball.

14. Left back, Toure Mamadouba went on a brilliant run down the left wing. He beat his man before squaring the ball for Glasspool. This time the shot bounced back off the bottom of the post from a tight angle.

20. All of the early pressure and possession that Eastleigh had had finally paid off in the 20th minute. A well worked move down the right hand side SAW 'Taz' Roberts cleverly play the ball down the line for Ben Ngwa who played in a good first time cross from the byline which picked out ZACH GLASSPOOL perfectly who instantly turned the ball home with a cool finish seeing the ball float into the top right hand corner leaving the keeper with no chance. 1-0.

26. Only six minutes later, it was that man Glasspool again who was threatening once more. Mamadouba played the ball to Glasspool inside the area and he got the ball out of his feet before striking the ball into the keeper's middrift which then deflected on to the cross bar and out for a corner ball.

45. Right on the stroke of half time, Nick Stavroulakis conceded a soft free kick in a dangerous area which very nearly cost his side dearly. The Epsom player struck the cross bar with Walker-Harris beaten but fortunately for the home side the ball took a lucky bounce off the Eastleigh keeper and went out for a corner when it so easily could have hit Walker-Harris and went in for the equaliser.

HALF TIME - Eastleigh Res. 1-0 Epsom

46. Eastleigh make a lively start to the second half with Scott Vidler doing well to get to the touchline before whipping in a dangerous cross with his left foot, however there was no Eastleigh player to be seen at the back post.

55. A good move from Taz, Zach and Ben resulted in an Eastleigh corner. From it, central defender DAN BRUNNEN thumped the ball into the roof of the net from 12 yards when he volleyed the ball on the turn with what was a strikers finish. This increased Eastleigh's lead to two goals and they were now very much in control.

67. The visitors finally started to give any signs of attack. Craig Martin was caught in possession losing out to an Epsom striker and he was clean through on goal until the goalscorer Dan Brunnen made a great last ditch tackle to clear the danger.

75. Eastleigh Substitutions:

BEN SIMPSON ON, ADAM ROBERTS OFF

BRETT WILLIAMS ON, ZACH GLASSPOOL OFF

80. Another uncharacteristic error from Martin allowed Epsom to win possession and bring the ball forward, Mo got back well though to clear the ball.

Easteligh Substitution:

CRAIG CANSDALE ON, CHRIS HALL OFF

83. In the final ten minutes of the game Eastleigh came close to extending their lead. First up, substitute Brett Williams latched on to Mo's long ball down the left flank and cut inside to bring the ball on to his right foot. But with Ben Simpson in the middle waiting for a pull back, Williams tried to beat the keeper at the near post and didn't succeed.

85. Stavroulakis played a good through ball for Ben Ngwa who had timed his run brilliantly to beat the offside trap, Ngwa did all the hard work but could only manage to clip the right post with the goal gaping.

FULL TIME - Eastleigh Res. 2-0 Epsom

Reaction to the game from the Eastleigh management:

"Tonight was a good win against a difficult side and keeps us in the top three. This victory brings more pressure on to keep winning and does not allow us to experiment with young players.

Winning promotion is now a real possibility for us, and we must try and secure it in what is our first season in this league."