Eastleigh FC

EASTLEIGH v ST. ALBANS TUESDAY 31st MARCH 2009 Blue Square South Report by Jamie Montigue Sticking with the unbeaten eleven who heroically defeated AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, Ian Baird named an unchanged side as his Spitfires sought revenge for their heaviest defeat and worst performance of the season at Clarence Park, when St. Albans ran out 5-1 winners over Eastleigh back in August. Both sides had been in good form coming into the game - Eastleigh in particular had found a winning formula with eight wins from their last eleven and just one defeat. Meanwhile tonight’s visitors St. Albans were unbeaten in their last eight ahead of this twice re-scheduled fixture. In the opening stages of the game it was Steve Castle’s side who were most positive, at least to begin with. Hassan Sulaiman kept his width well on the right hand side and attacked with purpose down his flank whilst stretching the play. Other than one moment for Eastleigh, when Tony Taggart was played in down the far side f

- By Wendy Gee "Never mind the play-offs, Eastleigh must now be considered as genuine contenders for the Blue Square South title after completing a magnificent season’s double over leaders AFC Wimbledon in front of a record Silverlake Stadium crowd of 2,283. But irrespective of whether promotion comes their way this season, the Spitfires’ new-found stability has assured them of one thing – that Ian Baird is the man to lead them forward for the foreseeable future ... and beyond. The ex-Saints and Leeds United striker is already signed up to the Stoneham Lane club until October of next year and will shortly extend that deal to October 2011." Click here for full article

EASTLEIGH v AFC WIMBLEDON SATURDAY 28th MARCH 2009 Blue Square South Report by Jamie Montigue A league record crowd of 2,283 packed into the Silverlake Stadium in their droves for this top of the table clash between league leaders AFC Wimbledon (with their huge away following), and Ian Baird’s Eastleigh. Before last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Welling United, the last time Terry Brown's Dons had lost a league game had come some nineteen matches ago – ironically against the Spitfires back in early December 2008. When today’s drama finally came to a conclusion it was the hosts who went home celebrating a massive three points, as Eastleigh became the only team to do the double over AFC Wimbledon this season. Eastleigh have now trimmed the gap on the table-toppers to seven points with a game to spare whilst opening up a nine-point cushion over sixth-placed Maidenhead United - who have played a game more, as the Spitfires continue their push and momentum in search of cementing a playoff

"We are pleased to announce that we have today agreed an extended Contract with our Manager - Ian Baird. The full details will, of course, remain confidential - but we can confirm that the Contract will be until 2011, with an option to further extend. We trust that this will indicate our confidence in Bairdy, and will further demonstrate our determination to bring both stability and success to Eastleigh Football Club."

"The Club are absolutely delighted to confirm that the following players have signed new contract terms for next season: Anthony Riviere, Peter Adeniyi, Jamie Brown & Jason Matthews This is in addition to the following, who are already Contracted for next season: Tom Jordan, Andy Forbes, Aaron Martin & Brett Willliams We can also confirm that we will be conducting talks with all of the remainder of our existing squad over the next week or so. We are hopeful that successful negotiations can be concluded with most/all of them - as it is our intention to do all we can to retain as many of the current squad as is possible. Such negotiations would not normally be conducted at this early stage. However, the Board and Manager have been so delighted with the way our squad has performed this season, particularly bearing in mind the unfortunate reductions in salaries, that we are of the opinion that they deserve the reward of stability and security here at the Silverlake."

"The Club can confirm that we have today released Bertie Brayley. The player was not able to train on Thursday of last week, and thus was not available for selection on Saturday. We have concluded that it is in our mutual best interests that Bertie makes alternative arrangements for the reminder of the season, and we wish him well for the future." Bertie has since returned to Chelmsford City.

WORCESTER CITY v EASTLEIGH SATURDAY 21st MARCH 2009 Blue Square South Report by Ray Murphy A first ever trip to mid-table Midlands side Worcester City brought Eastleigh a further three points to their quest of promotion thanks to a penalty three minutes from time, from not what you can describe as the best game of football you ever saw. At this stage of the season perhaps it is now the fact that results actually mean more than the performance, though for long spells it seemed that the home side that have only won four home games all season, despite one of those being against league leaders AFC Wimbledon, would have settled for a point from the outset. Eastleigh were still without the injured Anthony Riviere along with Andy Forbes and Andy Harris, whilst Bertie Brayley was unavailable and Gavin Heeroo suspended. Ashley Carew moved to a central midfield role along side Peter Adeniyi with Tony Taggart and Steve Clark taking the flanks. A highly disappointing opening half brought three

Eastleigh Res. 1-0 Uxbridge Res. Suburban Premier League TEAM: Craig Lisher, Adam Gatcumb, Tom Nicholas, Justin Hall, James Powell, Jamel Mattan, Martin Thomas (c), Joe Crook, Nick Watt, Scott Waters, Arron Milburn. Subs: Adam Wiltshire (on for Crook 56), Perry Mullins (on for Mattan 59), Ben White (on for Waters 71). By Jamie Montigue Match Photos - Here In Andy Leader's first reserve game in charge at the Silverlake Stadium following his recent appointment, Eastleigh Reserves sealed a 1-0 win over Uxbridge courtesy of a super strike from ARRON MILBURN. The only goal of the game and therefore the winning goal, came in the 15th minute following a sliced clearance from the visiting goalkeeper. Milburn was underneath it and connected perfectly to execute a sublime volley into the net from 20 yards. Arron's technique was right out of the top drawer and it would have taken some save to keep the powerful strike out as the Spitfires took a deserved lead. Milburn had Eastleigh

- Star defender ought to be with League club

Eastleigh Ladies played without three keys players today, but proved that it didn't matter as they ran out comfortable 8-1 winners against Farnham Ladies. The girls got off to a shakey start conceding a goal in the first 10 minutes. But it was enough of a wake up call to get in gear and take a 4-1 lead at half time. Farnham did well to attack but some great goal line clearances from the Spitfires' defence meant the lead was held. Eastleigh doubled the scoreline in the second half and secured another 3 points and 8 goals! Scorers: Amy Boucher 2, Rachel Heda 2, Zoe Cramer 1, Connie Brazier 1, Gemma Aboe 1, OG 1 Eastleigh Ladies are at home to Red Star at BAT Ground next week, 2pm KO - Come see what all the fuss is about!

EASTLEIGH v WESTON-SUPER-MARE SATURDAY 14th MARCH 2009 Blue Square South Report by Jamie Montigue Eastleigh returned to winning form this afternoon thanks to the return to action of Tony Taggart, who came off the bench to score the Spitfires all three points with a 68th minute header. Following last weekend’s ‘re-arranged’ side due to a number of injuries and suspensions, manager Ian Baird was boosted by the return of Jamie Brown and Steve Clark from suspension whilst skipper Tom Jordan shook off an injury to make a return. All three came straight into today’s starting line up versus Weston-Super-Mare along side home debutant Gavin Heeroo - who joined Eastleigh from former manager Paul Doswell’s Sutton United side a fortnight ago.     The Eastleigh faithful were also delighted to see Taggart make the bench following a spell out with injury and even more pleased having witnessed the impact he made when he came on! Either side looked a little cagey and nervy throughout a fairly

FLEET TOWN v EASTLEIGH TUESDAY 10th MARCH 2009 Hampshire Senior Cup Semi Final Report by Ray Murphy For the second time this season, Eastleigh tasted defeat in the Hampshire Senior Cup. Unlike in the last round though, when they were reinstated following an administration error at their opponent’s venue, Eastleigh will have no course for recall from this semi-final defeat. Only one player remained from the Eastleigh side that had tasted defeat in their previous Blue Square fixture, whilst the Ryman League side Fleet Town, also on the verge of a play off position in their division, were four players short of the side that had represented them the previous Saturday, whilst former Eastleigh winger Darren Wheeler was cup-tied. It was an evenly contested first half where Eastleigh including five nineteen-year-olds in their starting line up along with another two players a year younger, had a couple of chances to have taken the lead. In the first minute Nick Watts' cross was headed wi

Eastleigh's Director of Football Dave Malone tonight revealed that former Winchester City manager Andy Leader has joined the Spitfires as part of the management team. The message read as follows: "We are delighted to announce that we have today appointed Andy Leader as part of our football management team. Andy, who has a vast amount of knowledge and experience in non league football, will have responsibility for player development and will also work with Paul Wiltshire in the running of our Reserve team. "As a Club it is vital that we see some positive results from our extensive youth system, and to that end it was essential for us to appoint an experienced and capable person to oversee the development of our players. "We wish Andy every success in this new appointment."

Wideman Ashley Carew, left, is staying with Eastleigh for the rest of the season after being released by League Two outfit Barnet. Baird explained: "Ashley was recalled by Barnet and told he was being released. We've agreed to take him until the end of the season." Carew, 23, would like to find another Football League club, but Baird said: "They all want to get back into the Football League. "For the moment he's better off with a side who are fourth in the Conference South so that his agent can tell everyone he's playing for us." Carew made 28 League Two starts for Barnet since joining from Gillingham on a free in the summer of 2007, plus 15 as a a sub.

Eastleigh v Bromley which was scheduled for Saturday 11th April will now be played Friday 10th April with a 12.30pm kick off.

Eastleigh Ladies continued their unbeaten run with a well deserved three points against Christchurch. Goals from Stacey Niven (2) Amy Boucher (2) and a hattrick from woman of the match Connie Brazier made the win in gale force winds and hale stones all the more sweeter! Eastleigh take their winning streak to Farnham next weekend.

HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH v EASTLEIGH SATURDAY 7th MARCH 2009 Blue Square South Report by Ray Murphy With seven minutes of this top of the table Blue Square South fixture remaining, Eastleigh were holding a single goal lead which in reality saw a league table that had Eastleigh in third place, ten points clear inside the play off places in the Division, with second placed Hampton & Richmond Borough some eight points behind top of the table A F C Wimbledon with only nine games to play. A dramatic final seven minutes of normal time plus three minutes of stoppage time in which two players from the home side were dismissed by referee Mr John Scott and two goals to their credit, saw Hampton cut that lead on A F C Wimbledon to five points and the ‘The Dons’ still to visit The Beveree Stadium, they firmly have their eyes on the championship. Eastleigh still remain in the play off places with a seven-point cushion. It was always going to be a hard afternoon for The Spitfires. With

Eastleigh Res. 10-0 Burgess Hill Res. Suburban Premier League TEAM: Fred Toomer, James Powell, Gareth Bachelor, Tom Nicholas (c), Adam Gatcumb, Adam Wiltshire, Youssuf Bamba, Joe Crook, Arron Milburn, Scott Waters, Nick Watt. Subs: Jamel Mattan (on for Watt 56), Ben White (on for Waters 72), Sam Longman (on for Powell 83). By Jamie Montigue Match Photos - Here An incredibly commanding performance saw Eastleigh Reserves run out 10-0 winners this afternoon. This was their second home win in a row following on from an equally impressive 5-0 win the last time out at the Silverlake Stadium in the middle of February against Three Bridges. Youssuf Bamba was lively throughout and created an early opportunity with his direct running down the right. The ball came across for Arron Milburn whose shot was cleared off the line in the sixth minute. Nick Watt followed in but volleyed high over the cross bar. The Spitfires opened the scoring on 18 minutes, following a mistake by Burgess Hill's

* CALLING ALL FANS * Blue Square, proud sponsors of the Football Conference, are looking to make Saturday 14th March a special fundraising day for Comic Relief through their exciting keepie uppie challenge “Square Up”. By taking part, you the fan will have the opportunity to win £10,000 and a trip to Wembley! In order to raise money for Comic Relief, Blue Square are appealing to home clubs and fans to join in with the spirit of Red Nose Day by getting involved on Saturday 14th March. At half time at each home game on the 14th March we would like to see as many clubs as possible invite four fans, home or away aged 18 and over, to take part in the keepie uppie “Square Up” Challenge. To be in with a chance of being invited onto the pitch to take part, we would like clubs to choose fans who have come dressed for the occasion …… wearing their Comic Relief Red Nose! Each fan will have 3 attempts to do as many keepie uppies as possible with the square ball. The fan who scores the highest on

Eastleigh Ladies came out on top of this close game with a 4-2 win, taking their chances and making their shots on goal count. Portsmouth scored both of their goals from set-pieces: from a free kick and a penalty, whilst the Spitfires scored three from open play and one scorching free kick from all of 30-yards. The Spitfires managing to pull off this excellent win against the team to beat, has now put them joint top of the league with 20 points.