Saints pre season got off to a rather uneventful start as shown by the result. Although only a pre season friendly Saints fans will no doubt be concerned at the teams failure to secure a win against the local side which Saints despatched 6-0 this time last year.
The game started fairly evenly with Eastleigh wasting their first sight of the Saints net. Then came some amusement for the fans as within the first three minutes one of the linesmen had gone down injured!
Eastleigh opened the scoring on ten minutes when striker Andy Forbes headed powerfully past a static Kevin Miller in the Saints goal. However, Saints hit back almost immediately when the electric Bradley Wright-Phillips capitalized on a misplaced back pass to score a delightful chip. Wright-Phillips had a further chance to score five minutes later when Andrew Surman fed McGoldrick who centered for Wright-Phillips who had a shot cleared off the line.
Nathan Dyer had to depart on 25 minutes following a heavy challenge. The young winger had looked in good form, he flashed a few shots just wide.
Eastleigh scored their second five minutes before half time after a cheeky free kick from midfielder Wheeler was fumbled over the line by the less than convincing Miller, although the decision to give the goal looked slightly dubious, it did not look as if the whole ball had crossed the line.
Saints had a chance to draw level just before half time, Eastleigh keeper Musselwhite making an excellent save from a Wright-Phillips snap shot.
The second half looked to have started in favour of Saints when referee Dermot Gallagher emerged wearing a Southampton training top after his previous shirt was too similar to Saints’ away shirt.
Saints made three half time substitutions Poke came on in place of Miller, Baird and Wright replaced Ostlund and Prutton. Further substitutions saw Leon Best replace the excellent Bradley Wright-Phillips on the hour and new boy Marcelo Sarmiento was replaced by youngster Simon Gillet after 75 minutes.
The second half saw few chances for either team, Sarmiento saw his shot saved well by Musselwhite and there were a few crosses from Surman and Belmadi but Saints lacked creative spark in midfield.
Despite a disappointing result Saints looked short of match fitness which was to be expected and this can only improve with more games. Also on a positive note the signing of Bradley Wright-Phillips looks to be an excellent decision by Burley.
Player Ratings
Kevin Miller 5
Looked very shaky, he was static for the first goal and his mistake for the second was inexcusable.
Alexander Ostlund 6
Looked fairly assured in defence, did not get forward as much as he could have, looks to be lacking a decent cross from forward positions.
Gareth Bale 7
Got forward well and was assured in defence. He was out muscled at times by Eastleigh’s more physical players.
Martin Cranie 7
A solid enough performance from the former youth team captain. He looked confident on the ball was able to deal with most of the situations which arose.
Claus Lundekvam 7
The captain was as reliable as ever, looked surprisingly calm on the ball, albeit against lower league opposition. Although he lacked a yard of pace, Eastleigh striker Forbes was able to out pace him.
David Prutton 6
The all action midfield man showed a willingness to get forward and was also effective in his defensive duties. He seemed to lack ideas to penetrate a stubborn Eastleigh defence.
Nathan Dyer 7
Made some dangerous forward runs and flashed a couple of long range shots over the bar. Had to go off after 25 minutes following a tough tackle.
Marcelo Sarmiento 6
Started the game brightly, he showed a good range of passing and some neat touches but ultimately faded into the background towards the end.
David McGoldrick 6
Seemed to link up well with Bradley Wright-Phillips in the first team and was full of running, had a few half chances but his touch let him down at times.
Bradley Wright-Phillips 8
The best player on the park, Wright-Phillips was full of running, his first touch and ball control looked excellent and he looked a threat whenever in possession. His goal was excellent.
Andrew Surman 7
Turned in a solid enough performance. Played some nice balls into the front two, faded a little in the second half.
Djamel Belmadi 6
Belmadi was confident on the ball, seemed to want to do too much by himself, his corners and crosses were ineffective.
Chris Baird 7
Looked solid at right back, he also showed a refreshing willingness to get forward and put in a cross.
Wright went largely unnoticed in the holding role. Looked to have found his range of passing by the end of the came following a few wayward passes to begin with.