2nd XI 2-0 Metropolitan Police Res.
Eastleigh 2nd XI 2-0 Metropolitan Res.
Suburban Premier League
TEAM: James Pullen, Jon Horner, Craig Brayham-Barrett, Justin Hall, Jason Sangha, Rickel White, Chris Mason (c), Joe Sheppard, Nick Watt, Tom Price, Ashan Holgate.
SUBS: Scott Waters (on for Price 77), Joe Maxwell (on for White 88)
Match Report by Jamie Montigue
Click here for full size match photos
Last weeks away game with Wealdstone was postponed due to an unplayable pitch - not that Eastleigh's young reserve stars let this be a disruption as they maintained an incredible run which has seen them unbeaten in seven consecutive games.
Two of Ian Baird's transfer listed players from the first team squad, goalkeeper James Pullen and striker Ashan Holgate, were 'demoted' so to speak as they turned out for the second string.
It was the visitors who started the game the brightest having a couple of early chances, one which saw a half volley fired narrowly wide of Pullen's goal.
Joe Sheppard provided Eastleigh's first attempt on goal following neat footwork on the edge of the penalty area which saw the young midfielder turn sharply before forcing a decent save out of the goalkeeper with his right foot.
On thirteen minutes Pullen was almost caught out by a speculative dip from range. The Eastleigh stopper did extremely well in the end to get back and turn over the cross bar.
The Spitfires then upped their game forcing two corners in quick succession. Jason Sangha's free kick from the halfway line proved to be too tricky to deal with in a packed penalty area and the best the Met. Police could muster was conceding a corner. Nick Watt's delivery was a good one as he sought out Ashan Holgate, but the ball bounced awkardly off a yellow shirt instead for a further Eastleigh set play.
Moments later a deep free kick from Watt saw the Met. Police goalkeeper Mark Rouse casually gather the ball with the unorthodox method of using just one hand.
The hosts introduced two trialists this afternoon who put on solid performances. One of those was left back Craig Brayham-Barrett who was extremely positive in getting forward and linking up with the midfield and attack at every opportunity. Mid way through the half Craig went on one of these runs and jinxed past two players as if they weren't there.
Rickel White was the other trialist who also impressed. White was operating on the right of midfield.
Four minutes before the break, Jon Horner combined with his captain Chris Mason who went for the chip from 18 yards only to be denied by the awareness of Rouse.
Eastleigh's performance throughout the second half was to be a drastic improvement.
In the opening stages, a cross from Holgate to the far post saw an effort from Watt deflected behind.
Ashan Holgate charged down the goalkeeper's kick on 50 minutes and almost got lucky with the ball richocheting off the former Weston-Super-Mare forward and just an inch wide of the target.
On the hour mark, Rickel White was beginning to find more and more space on the right flank where he could express himself and he so very nearly used this to his advantage with his run and cross being deflected narrowly wide of goal.
In the 63rd minute, Eastleigh finally got the break through that their play warranted. Holgate flicked the ball over the top to set White free down the right who duly delivered with an early cross that was turned home in the centre by NICK WATT with a controlled side-foot shot from close range. A splendid move, with the finish to match was a perfect way to set Eastleigh on their way to victory.
Jason Sangha again shone in the centre of defence for Eastleigh with a commanding performance both in the air where he was dominant, and in his all round presence to soak up any pressure from the visitors.
The Met. Police went in search of an equaliser but the closest they came was to rattling the cross bar. Neil Williams' shot came crashing back off the woodwork where a Superman dive from James Pullen to punch the ball away, ensured the danger was clear.
Fifteen minutes from time, Eastleigh doubled their advantage. White was the provider once more as he sent across a telling delivery from the right, one right out of the top drawer, which was capped off with a strong header from CHRIS MASON who had made a good run to the near post. Great football.
The advantage might have stretched to three goals in the dieing minutes as Joe Sheppard connected with a cross from Watt, showing sublime technique on the half volley that had to be thwarted by an equally impressive diving save.
Suburban Premier League
TEAM: James Pullen, Jon Horner, Craig Brayham-Barrett, Justin Hall, Jason Sangha, Rickel White, Chris Mason (c), Joe Sheppard, Nick Watt, Tom Price, Ashan Holgate.
SUBS: Scott Waters (on for Price 77), Joe Maxwell (on for White 88)
Match Report by Jamie Montigue
Click here for full size match photos
Last weeks away game with Wealdstone was postponed due to an unplayable pitch - not that Eastleigh's young reserve stars let this be a disruption as they maintained an incredible run which has seen them unbeaten in seven consecutive games.
Two of Ian Baird's transfer listed players from the first team squad, goalkeeper James Pullen and striker Ashan Holgate, were 'demoted' so to speak as they turned out for the second string.
It was the visitors who started the game the brightest having a couple of early chances, one which saw a half volley fired narrowly wide of Pullen's goal.
Joe Sheppard provided Eastleigh's first attempt on goal following neat footwork on the edge of the penalty area which saw the young midfielder turn sharply before forcing a decent save out of the goalkeeper with his right foot.
On thirteen minutes Pullen was almost caught out by a speculative dip from range. The Eastleigh stopper did extremely well in the end to get back and turn over the cross bar.
The Spitfires then upped their game forcing two corners in quick succession. Jason Sangha's free kick from the halfway line proved to be too tricky to deal with in a packed penalty area and the best the Met. Police could muster was conceding a corner. Nick Watt's delivery was a good one as he sought out Ashan Holgate, but the ball bounced awkardly off a yellow shirt instead for a further Eastleigh set play.
Moments later a deep free kick from Watt saw the Met. Police goalkeeper Mark Rouse casually gather the ball with the unorthodox method of using just one hand.
The hosts introduced two trialists this afternoon who put on solid performances. One of those was left back Craig Brayham-Barrett who was extremely positive in getting forward and linking up with the midfield and attack at every opportunity. Mid way through the half Craig went on one of these runs and jinxed past two players as if they weren't there.
Rickel White was the other trialist who also impressed. White was operating on the right of midfield.
Four minutes before the break, Jon Horner combined with his captain Chris Mason who went for the chip from 18 yards only to be denied by the awareness of Rouse.
HALF TIME: Eastleigh 2nd XI 0-0 Metropolitan Police Res.
Eastleigh's performance throughout the second half was to be a drastic improvement.
In the opening stages, a cross from Holgate to the far post saw an effort from Watt deflected behind.
Ashan Holgate charged down the goalkeeper's kick on 50 minutes and almost got lucky with the ball richocheting off the former Weston-Super-Mare forward and just an inch wide of the target.
On the hour mark, Rickel White was beginning to find more and more space on the right flank where he could express himself and he so very nearly used this to his advantage with his run and cross being deflected narrowly wide of goal.
In the 63rd minute, Eastleigh finally got the break through that their play warranted. Holgate flicked the ball over the top to set White free down the right who duly delivered with an early cross that was turned home in the centre by NICK WATT with a controlled side-foot shot from close range. A splendid move, with the finish to match was a perfect way to set Eastleigh on their way to victory.
Jason Sangha again shone in the centre of defence for Eastleigh with a commanding performance both in the air where he was dominant, and in his all round presence to soak up any pressure from the visitors.
The Met. Police went in search of an equaliser but the closest they came was to rattling the cross bar. Neil Williams' shot came crashing back off the woodwork where a Superman dive from James Pullen to punch the ball away, ensured the danger was clear.
Fifteen minutes from time, Eastleigh doubled their advantage. White was the provider once more as he sent across a telling delivery from the right, one right out of the top drawer, which was capped off with a strong header from CHRIS MASON who had made a good run to the near post. Great football.
The advantage might have stretched to three goals in the dieing minutes as Joe Sheppard connected with a cross from Watt, showing sublime technique on the half volley that had to be thwarted by an equally impressive diving save.
FULL TIME: Eastleigh 2nd XI 2-0 Metropolitan Police Res.
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