Eastleigh v Southampton 0-1

Eastleigh’s team
Barfoot(Matthews 46), Smith, Goodhind, Brown, Jordan, Holland, Palmer(Osman), Bottomley, Slabber, Gillespie, Graham.
Subs(not used):Robinson, Mason, Maxwell, Easton

Saints
Bialkowski, Saville, A Martin, Tafazolli, Reeves(Foot 77), Chamberlain(Garrod 60), Robinson, Doble, Hoskins, Isgrove.
Subs (not used) Forecast, B Martin


The game began with both sides trying to play open football in an even sided start. In fact it was not till 16 minutes that the hosts fired in a warning, so even was the game.

Richard Gillerpie fired in a header which bounced off the crossbar and safely into Bialkowski’s arms. Sam Hoskins then fired straight back, cutting in from the left before shooting. Barfoot was only able to parry the ball bot managed to collect the loose ball before Pulis could take advantage as he followed the ball in.

On 20 minutes Saints took the lead through good play from Sam Hoskins once more. He passed a good ball to fellow striker Ryan Doble who quickly returned it. Hoskins then drew the keeper before slotting home in the far corner of the goal.

Saints were now building pressure and they were somehow denied when Doble tried to prod home from close in. The young Welshman then narrowly missed getting on to the end of a good cross from the tricky young winger Lloyd Isgrove.

Five minutes from half-time the Spitfires nearly fashioned a goal for themselves with a header from Jamie Slabber going just over. This was a solitary threat though s it was the Saints providing the most threat.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lloyd Isgrove were creating threats all the time down the flanks were a handfull but no more scoring was managed before the break.


HT Spitfires 0-1 Saints

The second half again took a bit of time to get going before Saints added to their lead. Chamberlain collected the ball on the right before feeding Isgrove on the opposite flank with a glorious pass. The winger then cut inside as he raced in on goal before inleashing a ferocious shot goalwards. Eastleigh keeper Matthews did well managing to parry it before it was cleared away to safety.

On the hour Martin Hunter made a tactical switch. Oxlade-Chamberlain was withdrawn with Tony Garrod coming on. Hoskins then moved out to the right flank with Garrod partnering Doble up front.

In the 68th minute Savolle moved forward linking up well as he burst into the box but his shot was too weak and the keeper was able to gather comfortably.

Two miutes late, Eastleigh came close from a corner which was met by Jamie Brown who sent a powerful header goalwards only to see Bialkowski make a great reflex save from the close range header.

On 77 minutes Lloyd Foot came on for Reeves which allowed Jack Saville to move to his natural position of left back. Foot taking up the right back position.

Eastliegh again came close with Brown firing over when the ball ran loose in the box. Garrod missed a one on one chance as the game ran to the end and Saints closed the game out comfortably.

FT Eastleigh 0-1 Southampton