Eastleigh open New Year with thrilling win over Dragons

Basingstoke Town 3 Eastleigh 4

Match Report by Ray Murphy

Another fine away Eastleigh performance allowing them to edge this seven-goal thriller. With Damian Scannell having departed manager Ian Baird gave a debut to loan signing Mark Marshall a pacy wideman from Conference National side Grays Athletic, whom as well as providing an afternoon of exciting wing play also claimed the winning goal out of the contest. Gareth Howells also returned to the goalkeeping position.

Eastleigh had already had one effort stopped by Basingstoke goalkeeper Chris Tardif who has played one game for Eastleigh earlier this season, when Andy Harris’ free kick went straight into the custodian’s midriff, before they went ahead after seven minutes. David Hughes lofted through ball into the area saw Paul Sales get in behind his defender before firing a low shot past Tardif.

Basingstoke’s response was immediate a long Tardif clearance was collected by David Tarpey but his effort was pushed away by Howells. From the resultant corner Scott Fitzgerald saw his effort also saved by the Eastleigh keeper.

Play developed into a midfield tussle with few clear-cut chances. Eastleigh added a second goal though after thirty-two minutes. Tardif drilled a clearance into the body of Andy Forbes who found the ball at his feet to which he duly sidestepped the keeper and rolled his shot into an unguarded net.

Basingstoke pulled a goal back nine minutes later Ben Surey’s cross-field ball was collected by Tarpey who powered a shot beyond Howells. Eastleigh though almost restored their two-goal advantage twice before the interval. Forbes collecting a pass from Adam Everitt brought a fine save from Tardif then Marshall cut in from the left flank before firing a shot against a post.

Eastleigh did restore their two-goal cushion eight minutes into the second period. A right wing cross plumb into the centre of the six yard box allowed Forbes to head home his eleventh Blue Square South goal of the season.

Marshall had another long-range effort just over the bar for Eastleigh before Basingstoke brought the game to life again with a somewhat fortuitous goal on seventy-six minutes. Substitute Rob Watkins left wing cross cum shot deceived Howells and the ball hit the inside of the far post and bounced over the line.

There was only two minutes remaining when Eastleigh added their fourth goal. Chris Piper’s cross was not dealt with by Tardif and Marshall fired home the loose ball.

In the first minute of stoppage time Basingstoke reduced the arrears to only one goal again. Jamie Whisken’s deep free kick saw Joe Dolan rise at the far post and head back across goal where former Eastleigh striker James Taylor headed home the third Basingstoke goal of the afternoon.