Eastleigh 2nd XI 1-0 Wealdstone Res.

Eastleigh 2nd XI 1-0 Wealdstone Res.

Suburban Premier League

TEAM: Grant Porter, Jon Horner, Theo Tonkin, Jason Sangha, Zeke Rink, James Screen, Aiden Sainsbury, Chris Mason (c), TJ McClory-Cuthbertson, Scott Waters, Nathan Lynch

SUBS: Perry Mullins (on for Sainsbury 69), Ben White (on for Tonkin 77), Keelan Sainsbury (on for Waters 83).

Match Report by Jamie Montigue

Since the 6-0 thrashing of Burgess Hill at the beginning of October, Eastleigh's second string have had a mixture of results with a 3-3 draw away to Metropolitan Police, before crashing out of the Southampton Senior Cup going down 1-3 to Bush Hill. Last weekend the youngsters got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Harefield United with Tom Price netting both goals.

Today, Eastleigh were up against Wealdstone and after surviving early pressure from the visitors - went on to record another impressive win.

Inside thirty seconds, goalkeeper Grant Porter was called in to action to deny the Wealdstone centre forward who had made a good turn on the edge of the area before getting his shot away.

The Spitfires had another let off when a shot whistled narrowly over the cross bar following good skill on the right hand side from the Wealdstone right winger.

Despite not having the greatest of starts, Eastleigh found their feet and went ahead on 14 minutes when Nathan Lynch combined with TJ McCLORY-CUTHBERTSON, who brought the ball down expertly before tucking away into the bottom left hand corner with a smart finish.

A goal to the good, Eastleigh still found themselves having to deal with a fair amount of pressure but seemed to switch off at corner kicks and were perhaps fortunate not to concede so soon after taking the advantage.

They were soon back to their best when Scott Waters was unlucky to be pulled back for offside when played clean through on goal by Lynch, and then just moments later Brian and Adie's men had the ball in the back of the net once more.

Captain and midfield general, Chris Mason hit a thumping drive from 30 yards. The ball crashed against the underside of the cross bar and came back out for James Screen to neatly follow up and beat the keeper. What should have been goal number two for Eastleigh, was soon to be ruled out for an appalling offside decision against the midfielder.

This would have put daylight between the two sides and things would have been that much more comfortable but it wasn't to be.

Two minutes after the goal that never stood, Eastleigh again struck the woodwork. This time it was the goalscorer McClory-Cuthberson whose powerful strike from range had the keeper in all sorts of trouble and was unfortunate to hit the top of the bar.

A further chance saw the impressive new left back, Theo Tonkin bring the ball forward from deep only to see his good effort saved at the near post.

At this stage in the game it looked as though Eastleigh had found their stride and were beginning to show signs of excellent football. One move in particular saw a string of nine or ten passes with the ball being worked across the pitch from right to left and back again before it eventually broke down.

The visitors finished the half the stronger side however with a whole host of opportunities. Chris Mason continued his fine performance with an excellent saving header to clear off the line with Porter beaten.

Striking the foot of the post in their next move, the Wealdstone left winger cutting in from the flank to beat Jon Horner, Eastleigh were extremely fortunate to stay in front.

If that wasn't enough, with eight minutes remaining in the half the London based club were left ruing what could have been as they missed an even greater chance. A real sitter from 6 yards looked certain to bring the scores level but unbelievably and fortunately for the hosts, the shot was hooked well wide of goal.

HALF TIME - Eastleigh 2nd XI 1-0 Wealdstone Res.

Continuing in the same vein, the Spitfires found themselves on the back foot at the beginning of the second half. With better composure from their opponents, they surely would have been made to pay the price. Wealdstone definitely had enough chances to get back in the game.

Nathan Lynch had a header deflected behind from an Aiden Sainsbury free kick a little later on. This leading to successive corner kicks for Eastleigh. James Screen couldn't quite get hold of his shot from the edge of the area as he fired over the top.

Back to their best it would seem, the home side now creating some pressure of their own. An interception in a good position up the pitch from forward Scott Waters, saw Screen whip an excellent delivery into the penalty area from the left wing to force another corner ball.

From the resulting set piece, the ball was played short to Jon Horner who let fly with a stinging drive, one which saw the Wealdstone keeper spill the ball on to his own post before gathering at the second attempt ahead of Lynch.

Waters then had a shot blocked on way to goal following neat interplay between TJ and Horner down the right, whilst at the opposite end a free kick wasn't too far off the mark for the Royals.

The game coming towards its end, it still could have gone either way in all honesty. TJ probably should have done better from a central free kick from 25 yards, when Waters was brought down unfairly by the Wealdstone captain.

Perry Mullins, a second half sub, attacked a further free kick - this time from a deeper position. His powerful header at the back post but was denied by good handling from the goalkeeper.

Eastleigh stood tall to see off the game and hold on to their lead with brave defending as the visitors upped their game to try and pinch a share of the spoils with a late strike.

James Screen epitomised the work rate with one tackle in particular that demonstrated the passion and hunger from a youthful side to win the game.

On the counter attack with minutes remaining, Nathan Lynch came close to putting the game beyond doubt as Mclory-Cuthbertson's route one style ball over the top was met by the striker picking it up on the half volley and going just wide.

It was pleasing to see Eastleigh come out on top and though it wasn't the most convincing win we might see from these lads the commitment and determination cannot be faulted. The three points were deserved and should take us ever close to the top two sides in the table.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 2nd XI 1-0 Wealdstone Res.