Match Preview - Eastleigh v Saints XI
Match Preview by Kieran James
The Spitfires will take on a youthful Southampton XI at the Silverlake Stadium tomorrow night, 7:45pm kick off, however it has been confirmed Ian Baird's opponents will not entirely be an a Under-21 side. It is expected that a few Southampton senior players will be in attendance but as always in this pre-season friendly, it is shaped up to be a crowd pleaser.
This fixture comes just one day after the announcement of two new signings from the Eastleigh FC Development Programme. Former Bristol Rovers goalkeeper Mike Green signed for Eastleigh after being on trial with Cheltenham and on loan with Clevedon Town and Gloucester City in the 2009-2010 season.
Green will provide healthy competition for the number one spot, as the 6ft 1in goalkeeper impressed against Weymouth, Sholing and Oxford City in recent weeks for Eastleigh.
The second of the signings is former Dundee United and Swindon Town winger Ryan O'Hara. Swindon born O'Hara has played for Scotland at youth level and has played for Salisbury City and Gloucester City at non-league level, so this is another promising signing for Ian Baird's side.
Both Green and O'Hara have added to the squad and join youngsters Ben Wilson, Sam Wilson (no relation), Jack Vallis, Liam Hibberd and former Gillingham and Reading striker Andrew White in the full time ranks.
Former Spitfires' Andy Forbes and Jamie Brown have both re-signed for Eastleigh over the summer, both of whom add to the core of experienced first-team players including captain Tom Jordan, last season's top goalscorer Jamie Slabber, Danny Smith, Ross Bottomley, Richard Gillespie and Gareth Barfoot.
Southampton Under 21's have won 0-1 away to AFC Totton and drawn 0-0 against Kettering Town in recent pre-season friendlies. The Spitfires on the other hand beat Sholing at Portsmouth Road thanks to two penalties - one apiece from Jamie Slabber and Andrew White, before losing 2-0 at the weekend against Oxford City away 2-0.
Last season The Spitfires lost 1-0 to a Southampton XI who were captained by former Spitfire Aaron Martin.
Come and support the Spitfires in their last pre-season game at home, COME ON YOU SPITFIRES!
EASTLEIGH expect a sprinkling of senior players to appear in Saints' line-up for tomorrow night's (Wednesday, 7:45pm) friendly at the Silverlake Stadium.
The Blue Square Bet South club do not anticipate Southampton boss Nigel Adkins risking any of his first-team stars ahead of Saturday's Sky-televised season opener against Leeds United.
But the indications are that several players with first-team squad numbers, such as Ryan Doble, Ben Reeves, Jack Stephens, Tommy Forecast and James Ward-Prowse, could get a run-out along with the likes of Jason Puncheon and Joseph Mills who have both been linked with summer moves away from St. Mary's.
With money tight in the current financial climate, non-Leaguers Eastleigh - managed by ex-Saint Ian Baird - desperately need a good crowd tomorrow.
In the past when Saints have sent a full first team to the Silverlake, attendances have topped 3,000, providing a valuable boost to the club coffers.
But last season the gate dropped to 1,655 when the game was played on a Monday night just five days before the start of Saints' League One season.
Saints edged that match 1-0 with a very young squad captained by ex-Spitfire Aaron Martin.
When Eastleigh sold central defender Martin to Saints in November 2009, they had hoped it would guarantee them a gate-boosting July fixture against Southampton's first team for at least the following three years.
But Saints' commitments elsewhere mean that has not been possible.
So, for the second year running, Eastleigh have been slotted into the midweek before Saints' Football League campaign gets under way.
"It's disappointing that, once again, the game is so close to the start of season," said Eastleigh's director of football Dave Malone.
"We used to get gates of 3,000 for Saints games when they sent their full first team squad and 2,000 lost souls at £12 a head is a lot of money to lose.
"But we've been in contact with Southampton FC secretary Ros Wheeler and we've been assured that it isn't an under-21 game for Saints and that some senior players will also be included.
"We appreciate that Saints are not likely to risk injury at the Silverlake but we are hopeful that some familiar names will be making an appearance."
Admission tomorrow is £12 adults, £7.50 concessions and £4 for under-16's.
Spitfires hope to see some Saints big guns
By Wendy Gee - 
EASTLEIGH expect a sprinkling of senior players to appear in Saints' line-up for tomorrow night's (Wednesday, 7:45pm) friendly at the Silverlake Stadium.
The Blue Square Bet South club do not anticipate Southampton boss Nigel Adkins risking any of his first-team stars ahead of Saturday's Sky-televised season opener against Leeds United.
But the indications are that several players with first-team squad numbers, such as Ryan Doble, Ben Reeves, Jack Stephens, Tommy Forecast and James Ward-Prowse, could get a run-out along with the likes of Jason Puncheon and Joseph Mills who have both been linked with summer moves away from St. Mary's.
With money tight in the current financial climate, non-Leaguers Eastleigh - managed by ex-Saint Ian Baird - desperately need a good crowd tomorrow.
In the past when Saints have sent a full first team to the Silverlake, attendances have topped 3,000, providing a valuable boost to the club coffers.
But last season the gate dropped to 1,655 when the game was played on a Monday night just five days before the start of Saints' League One season.
Saints edged that match 1-0 with a very young squad captained by ex-Spitfire Aaron Martin.
When Eastleigh sold central defender Martin to Saints in November 2009, they had hoped it would guarantee them a gate-boosting July fixture against Southampton's first team for at least the following three years.
But Saints' commitments elsewhere mean that has not been possible.
So, for the second year running, Eastleigh have been slotted into the midweek before Saints' Football League campaign gets under way.
"It's disappointing that, once again, the game is so close to the start of season," said Eastleigh's director of football Dave Malone.
"We used to get gates of 3,000 for Saints games when they sent their full first team squad and 2,000 lost souls at £12 a head is a lot of money to lose.
"But we've been in contact with Southampton FC secretary Ros Wheeler and we've been assured that it isn't an under-21 game for Saints and that some senior players will also be included.
"We appreciate that Saints are not likely to risk injury at the Silverlake but we are hopeful that some familiar names will be making an appearance."
Admission tomorrow is £12 adults, £7.50 concessions and £4 for under-16's.
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