Eastleigh v Brockenhurst - Hants Senior Cup

HANTS SENIOR CUP
Tuesday 10th October 2006

Match Report by Jamie Montigue

A combination of Eastleigh's first team and reserves comfortably saw off Brockenhurst who are three leagues below the Spitfires. The difference was very evident as Eastleigh made their quality count as Danny Smith led the way with the opening goal on 33 minutes. Young striker Zach Glasspool netted two in the last five minutes of the first half before completing his hattrick moments into the second 45. One minute later Adam Roberts, who was back from Andover for the night along with Jack Smith, scored the fifth and sixth with Brock netting a consolation.

Phil Cousens, formerly of QPR's youth setup, had a commanding game in the middle and impressed on his first appearance for the first team. Bertie Brayley was another that shone but despite giving the Brockenhurst right back a horrid time down the left flank for Eastleigh, he could have easily had a hattrick.

From the off Eastleigh were very dominant and created numerous chances. Danny Smith came close on 13 minutes with a speculative drive from outside the box that flew just wide of goal. Adam Roberts and Jack Smith looked in fine form and it was their clever one-two down that led to Ian Oliver having a go from all of 35 yards. His stinging drive forced former Eastleigh stopper Alan Walker-Harris to make a good save with the parry just falling short of Andy Forbes who was ready to pounce.

The patient, passing football kept bringing Eastleigh opportunities as they camped in Brockenhurst's half of the pitch. The lively Bertie Brayley had an effort deflected for a corner and then Adam Roberts came very close to breaking the deadlock. From a left sided corner, the ball played deep into the centre for Taz who struck it first time only to see it bounce straight off a defender and back into his path once more. This time he hit it sweetly with power along the ground with Walker-Harris doing well to get down low and push past the post for another corner ball. From it the ball jumped around before Sam Stannard nodded a header towards goal that fell on a plate for Andy Forbes but he couldn't get it right and the chance was gone.

Phil Cousens had a good volley saved from 8 yards as the pressure continued to mount. Finally the visitors cracked and Eastleigh went a goal up courtesy of their skipper Danny Smith on 33 minutes. Adam James sent a high ball down towards the corner flag on the right hand side where Zach Glasspool held it up with style beating his man with ease, squaring for DANNY SMITH who slid in to open the scoring from close range.

The goal only led to even more chances coming Eastleigh's way with Glasspool again causing trouble hitting striking against the bar from a Bertie Brayley cross. Deservedly, ZACH GLASSPOOL opened his tally for the night having been the architect in the first goal. He latched on to some awful defending and punished them with a smart finish that Walker-Harris managed to get a hand to, but couldn't prevent his side from falling further behind.

It took the young striker just three minutes to score again. First teamers, Andy Forbes and Danny Smith linked up well to create the goal. As the captain found himself with just the keeper to beat he unselfishly hooked it left for ZACH GLASSPOOL who tapped the ball into an empty net for his second and Eastleigh's third.

HALF TIME - Eastleigh 3-0 Brockenhurst

The game was as good as over already, but Glasspool and co were not finished just yet. At the break, Danny Smith and Andy Forbes were replaced by Andy Weston and Karim Hraiba.

A seven minute hattrick was complete on 48 minutes when Bertie Brayley's miscued shot fell kindly for ZACH GLASSPOOL who turned the ball in with another good finish to extend Eastleigh's lead to four goals.

Just one minute later the ball was in the back of the net again, Glasspool was involved once more as he put in an inch perfect cross for ADAM ROBERTS who burst into the area well from the right to fire home goal number five.

The very youthful Spitfires continued the onslaught with livewire Bertie Brayley doing all he could to find another goal after having a shot tipped onto the bar and then a 30 yard snapshot being denied soon after.

Reserve keeper Grant Porter was introduced into the action on 71 minutes as Wayne Shaw made way, who was never troubled all night. Unfortunately the first thing young Porter had to do was pick the ball up out of his net as BEN OSBORNE was left with an easy finish following good work from Brockenhurst substitute Reza Setoudeh.

Although Eastleigh had just conceded it didn't stop them from continuing to fire on all cylinders. Only two minutes later, Adam James smashed the ball high up the park where Brockenhurst's centre back headed straight at Glasspool who made a good interception and an even better pass that led to the 6th Eastleigh goal. Out of nothing almost, Glasspool played it to the right for ADAM ROBERTS whose electric pace saw him race into the penalty area and with no defender being able to catch him, Taz slotted the ball into the bottom left corner for his second goal of the night and to well and truly wrap up a good evening's work from the home side.

Even then Eastleigh were looking for more. Taz played it to Andy Weston who chipped it left for Karim Hraiba, a former Auxerre player, who drilled the ball against the post from outside of the area. Bertie Brayley could have had a hattrick in the space of five minutes as he beat his marker time and time again cutting in from the left but Walker-Harris made two good saves and then a third attempt saw Brayley smash high and wide.

Before the end of the game, Phil Cousens had a pop from distance that stung the hands of the Brockenhurst keeper.

Next stop, a win in the FA Cup against Salisbury City - don't miss it!!

FULL TIME - Eastleigh 6-1 Brockenhurst