Eastleigh 2-0 Oxford United

EASTLEIGH v OXFORD UNITED
Tuesday 7th August 2012

Pre-Season Friendly

Match report by Jamie Montigue

In the Spitfires' first home pre-season friendly of the summer, Chris Wilder's Oxford United took on Ian Baird's Eastleigh at the Silverlake Stadium.

The hosts' starting line up consisted of Jack Dovey in goal with a defence of Mitchell Nelson, Tom Jordan, Andy Forbes and Michael Green in front of him.

Captain Daryl McMahon was joined by Jai Reason and latest signing Mark Hughes in a midfield trio with Craig McAllister spearheading the Eastleigh attack assisted by forwards Marvin Williams and Moses Ademola.

Eastleigh began the game well and were the first side to threaten through Jai Reason. With nine minutes played Reason drilled the ball inches wide of the post with Oxford's keeper Ryan Clarke beaten. The opportunity came following good work from full back Michael Green down the left, whose cross found Craig McAllister. The strength of the target man saw McAllister lay the ball off to the edge of the area where Reason came close.

Tom Jordan was the next to have an effort on target in the 17th minute when Andy Forbes hooked the ball back into the six-yard box from a Daryl McMahon corner. Jordan met the ball with a downward header that was saved by Clarke.

Midway through the half, a chipped pass from former Barnet skipper Mark Hughes found Moses Ademola with his back to goal. The tricky forward turned neatly on the ball with good control and saw his snapshot deflected behind for a corner. It was a good move from the Spitfires as Baird's side again came closest to opening the scoring.

Ademola then saw a close range effort blocked in the next minute from Marvin Williams’ low ball into the box. Eastleigh were in control of the game keeping the ball well as well as creating the best chances.

Tom Craddock did put the ball in the back of the net for the visitors but Eastleigh played a high line and caught him offside just past the half-hour.

Eleven minutes before the break, Eastleigh were forced into making their first change with Glen Southam coming on in place of the injured Hughes. Southam went on to have a solid game shining in midfield with a good range of passing.

Towards the close of the half a sublime piece of skill from McMahon saw the classy midfielder outwit three Oxford defenders in one move to win a corner as Eastleigh continued to threaten.

The deadlock was broken by CRAIG MCALLISTER in the 41st minute to give Eastleigh a lead they fully deserved after a strong first half performance. Marvin Williams showed great pace to latch onto a through ball from the excellent Michael Green before squaring well for McAllister to apply an emphatic finish with his left foot.

End to end action continued right to the half time whistle with Callum O’Dowd forcing Jack Dovey into his first save of the game from a tight angle, whilst at the opposite end a sweeping Eastleigh move resulted in Reason firing off target.

Finally the half came to a conclusion with Oxford's Tom Craddock having an effort come back of the post for the visitors with Dovey getting an important touch to keep the ball out.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 1-0 Oxford United

At the half way stage McAllister’s well taken left-foot strike from Williams' assist, separated the two sides.

Eastleigh, who were looking good value for their lead, began the second half on the front foot. Jai Reason played ball into the left channel where Michael Green had made a good run to hit an early shot that had to be well saved by Ryan Clarke to prevent the Spitfires from going further ahead.

In the 53rd minute a powerful effort from Jon Paul-Pittman sailed narrowly over the cross bar whilst both Moses Ademola and Daryl McMahon had shots blocked soon after. Green, who performed well at left back offering width and good crosses to support the attack effectively, fired a shot just over the Oxford goal before the hour mark.

Marvin Williams' turn and low shot was then comfortably saved by Clarke before Ademola's strong run down the left complete with a deft bit of skill to beat his marker - ended with an effort at goal but wide of the target.

With 64 minutes played, only the woodwork could prevent Eastleigh from doubling their advantage as McMahon's through ball found Reason in space whose first time shot struck the foot of the post. Williams pounced on the rebound but couldn't keep his shot down.

Tom Jordan was fitted with a bandage across his head after suffering a knock but went on to complete the game playing well alongside sponsors man of the match Andy Forbes in the heart of the defence.

Within the space of four minutes Eastleigh introduced Damian Scannell and Lee Peacock, who came on in place of Williams and goalscorer McAllister, and then Chris Flood for Moses Ademola.

Eleven minutes from time, Flood looked to make an immediate impact with a fine solo run to show close control to dribble past defenders before seeing his effort well saved.

Tom Craddock was denied a clear sight at goal by an excellent block from Forbes in the closing minutes, but it was Eastleigh who went on to seal the game in which they were in control for large periods.

JAI REASON netted once more in a prolific pre-season for the attacking midfielder, as he burst into the box to tap home from McMahon's cross for Eastleigh's second goal of the game.

A good all-round performance from Eastleigh's strong squad of players resulted in a comfortable 2-0 victory and their first clean sheet of pre-season.

Next up for Eastleigh is another home friendly, this time against a Reading XI, for what will be the Spitfires' final pre-season fixture ahead of the Blue Square Bet South kick off for 2012/13.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 2-0 Oxford United

Eastleigh v Oxford United 7-8-12