8 in 8 for Birthday Boy!
Eastleigh 2nd XI 1-1 AFC Wimbledon Res.
Playing against the league leaders AFC Wimbledon, Eastleigh's youngsters rose to the occasion to secure a very creditable point.
Birthday boy, Zach Glasspool celebrated in style with another goal to his name to make it eight goals in as many games.
Academy defender Niall Bryant was drafted in for his first ever start in the second team, partnering captain Tom Roberts in the centre of defence. Aaron Martin was rested as he will be playing on Monday night for the Under 19's in the FA Youth Cup with rivals Salisbury City.
The Start of a Cup Run?
Eastleigh progressed into the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for only the fourth time in their history following a close victory at Wessex League side Hamworthy United.
Hamworthy started strongly forcing a corner in the first minute from which skipper Nathan Walker headed Micky Hubbards kick wide, Eastleigh returned with their own attacks with Andy Forbes forcing a save from home goalkeeper Mark Peters. Chris Piper's effort from the edge of the box was also off target with the midfielder trying to steady his own footing.
A shock seemed on the cards when the home side took the lead on twenty-three minutes when Carl Mutch headed home a free kick from Hubbard to give their opponents from three levels higher an uphill struggle.
EASTLEIGH have sounded out their former coach Mark Blake about a return to the Silverlake Stadium following the departure of Phil Handford after just three months in the job.
Director of football David Malone has confirmed that Blake is one of "three or four people" the Spitfires have considered turning to for help after Handford resigned in the wake of last Saturday's 3-1 reverse at Welling - Eastleigh's fourth defeat from five in the Blue Square South.
Handford, an ex-Welling United, Gravesend & Northfleet and Margate coach, said it was too soon to comment fully on his departure, but claimed: "Although I did resign, the damage was already done and it was irreparable. But David Hughes (team manager) has been brilliant for me and backed me 100 per cent."
A statement from the board on the clubs official website, yesterday confirmed that Phil Handford will be parting with the club following his resignation.
"The Board of Eastleigh Football Club confirms, with regret, that following our defeat at Welling on Saturday, we have accepted the Resignation of 1st Team Coach - Phil Handford.
A further Board statement, will be made in due course."
"EASTLEIGH player-boss David Hughes hopes going back to basics will help his side get back on track after suffering their fourth defeat in five games at Welling United.
After an impressive start to the season in which The Spitfires recorded four wins from the opening five games, the opposite has happened in the five games that have since followed.
The latest defeat, Saturday's 3-1 reverse at Welling, was Eastleigh's third setback in a week.
"You have to go back to basics," Hughes said when asked how he plans to turns things around.
"You try and get things right at the back and keep clean sheets, which is what we were doing at the start of the season, and work hard.
"If you do that you can get a kick-start with a draw or a win with a goal that goes in off someone's backside and then you are up and running again."
Eastleigh crashed to their third successive defeat and their third two-goal defeat in seven days. It was yet another change in personnel with new signing Craig O'Connor from Lewes getting a debut in front of the Eastleigh leading goalscorer for the past two seasons Andy Forbes.
The home side had new players in their side too following a disappointing start to the season. With new formations and new players settling in it was hardly surprising that the opening quarter of the match was very low key. Eastleigh just about held the upper hand, Paul Sales had a header from a Chris Piper free kick saved by home goalkeeper Clark Masters on twenty-four minutes then four minutes later another Piper free kick saw a direct shot just off target.
Eastleigh 2nd XI 3-1 Carshalton Athletic Res.
Eastleigh's second team sailed through to the next round of the cup with a 3-1 win over Carshalton thanks in the main to a fine hattrick from Nathan Lynch.
TJ McClory Cuthbertson sat out, following the news that he will be sidelined for six weeks with ligament damage. Zach Glasspool was also missing with groin problems, however the Spitfires welcomed Portuguese, former Southampton academy forward, Totti into the fold to make his debut.
"We can confirm that yesterday (Thursday) the Club completed the signing of former Lewes, Weymouth & Havant & Waterlooville striker Craig O'Connor (27). Craig will be available for our game at Welling on Saturday.
We are also hopeful of completing the signing of two ex-Southampton stars, Dani Rodrigues and Aristoles De Carvalho (known as Totti). There are still some administrative issues to resolve, but we are optimistic that both signings will be concluded in the near future.
Finally, we can confirm that Ellis Green has been released from his contract and is talking with another Blue Square South Club, with a view to joining them."
Eastleigh are turning to Portuguese firepower to solve their striker shortage.
Ex-Saint Dani Rodrigues could make his debut in tomorrow's trip to Welling United and is joined at the Silverlake Stadium by another former St Mary's man Totti (real name Aristoles De Carvalho).
Eastleigh player-boss David Hughes, who knows Rodrigues from his Saints days, said: "He's been training with Weymouth this season and is coming to us on a short-term deal. We've invited him here for two or three months to give us a chance to have a look".
Totti most recently at Kettering Town, is signing for a month initially and will most likely get a couple of reserve team games before pressing for a first-team place.
It was two defeats on the spin for the Spitfires following a dismal display on this Tuesday evening against a well-equipped professional looking outfit, in the form of Newport County.
With David Hughes suffering a nasty blow to the eye socket in the weekend's 3-1 loss at Hampton and Richmond, Paul Sales was brought back into the team alongside Andy Forbes in attack. Danny Smith dropped to the bench in the only other change to tonight's starting lineup - Ian Oliver the man coming in.
Just four minutes into the game the early warning signs were there for all to see as Eastleigh started shakily having to hack Julian Alsop's header off the line on four minutes.
Eastleigh have been drawn away to Hamworthy Utd or Bishop Cleve in the FA Cup Second Round Qualifying. The tie will be played on Saturday 29th September.
Eastleigh's young guns cruised through to the next round of the cup with a comfortable 4-1 victory, however it came at a cost losing the talented TJ McClory-Cuthbertson to a sickening injury right at the death.
Things didn't start all that well as the home side's captain headed home a right wing corner on eight minutes finding the bottom right hand corner with a free header at the back post.
It was a highly disappointed Eastleigh side that trudged off The Beveree playing fields on Saturday some thirty minutes after the game had finished. Following a bright start the Eastleigh game plan ended up with a highly disappointing outcome.
With player manager David Hughes making his first start of the season, striker Paul Sales made way taking his seat on the bench. It started so well. Within the first minute Matt Hann missed a golden opportunity from inside the six-yard box, firing wide. In the third minute it appeared Hann had given Eastleigh the lead converting a Chris Piper pass but the assistant referee's flag was in the air for an offside decision. It was all Eastleigh though. Andy Forbes was first thwarted by a save by home goalkeeper Matt Lovett then the striker rose to head a Hann cross just wide of the upright.
As new signing Matt Hann made his presence felt in a 3-2 win over Weston Super Mare, Eastleigh were preparing to part company with the man he has replaced on the left wing.
Warren Ryan, a summer signing from Heybridge Swifts, has been sent a letter by the Spitfires informing him his contract is being cancelled.
Ryan, who has seven days to appeal to the FA against the decision, failed to show for last week's home defeat by Sutton United having been arrested for an alleged driving offence.
Nothing more was seen of him at training last week, prompting Eastleigh to go back into the transfer market and sign the highly rated Hann from St. Albans City.
In his short lived time at the club, the left sided player forced his way into the team and played as a left midfielder getting into the side ahead of Ellis Green and Darren Wheeler as a winger.
Eastleigh returned to winning ways this afternoon in an early kick off due to the England game, to put Sutton United defeat and it's misery firmly behind them.
It was a win that sees the club up to third in the table. Meanwhile Weston Super Mare have now lost three consecutive games.
Matt Hann went straight into the starting line up for his debut, following his move from St. Albans this week, to take the place of Ellis Green on the left flank. Rob Marshall came back from injury as Karim El-Salahi only made the bench in an otherwise unchanged side for the Spitfires.
Starting at a blistering pace, Eastleigh's latest capture Hann set the tone for the afternoon as the hosts netted twice in the space of six minutes.
Within 60 seconds, Luke Byles' whipped cross from the left saw Anthony Riviere's header force an early corner.
Just a short note to let you all know that tickets are now on sale for both the away games against Hampton & Richmond (15th September ) and Welling (22nd September). You can buy them at any Eastleigh home game from myself - Rendel Ingram, Michael Ingram, Andy Everatt or from the club shop. Tickets are priced at £10 and include travel to and from the match.
Alternatively you can send me an e-mail at rendelingram@yahoo.co.uk and let me know which game(s) you are travelling to.
Fingers crossed for 3 points at home to WSM tomorrow!
Last night (Thursday), the club agreed a fee with St. Albans City with former Conference South player of the year, Matt Hann a wide man.
It is hoped the formalitites will go through for Eastleigh in time for the new signing to make his debut this weekend in the game against Weston Super Mare.
"The Club are delighted to announce that we have tonight (Thursday) agreed terms with St Albans City for the transfer of Matt Hann. Personal terms have also been agreed with the player, and we are hopeful that the formalities will be completed in time for Matt to make his debut at home to Weston-Super -Mare on Saturday.
Matt Hann is a wide player with lots of experience, having previously been with Cambridge United, Peterborough United, Cambridge City and Dorchester. He has made in excess of 100 appearances for St Albans, and was voted Conference South player of the season in 2005/2006."
With Darren Wheeler sold to Mangotsfield United and summer signing Ellis Green growing demoralised with his lack of first-team starts, the Spitfires have set their sights on 27-year-old Hann.
Green, signed from Welling United, started Eastleigh's first two games of the season playing wide left, but then lost his place to Warren Ryan.
He was recalled to the starting line-up last Saturday when Ryan failed to show having been arrested for an alleged driving offence, but Ellis failed to make an impact in a miserable 2-1 defeat by Sutton and was substituted after an hour.
"Ellis has been travelling from London and he's made it clear he wants to play games. We've told him he's free to get a loan or a permanent move elsewhere," said Doswell.
Eastleigh 2nd XI 4-3 Basingstoke Res.
Having played so well away from home in recent weeks with three straight victories on their travels, Eastleigh may not have wanted to come back to the Silverlake Stadium - but in a closely fought encounter, one which certainly did not lack goals; the form was brought back with them as Ady and Brian's youngsters secured their first home win of the season.
Tom Price came close in the opening stages with his fourth minute effort not far wide of the mark, cutting in from the left hand side, following an excellent interception from Tom Roberts in the centre of midfield.
Speaking after the 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Sutton United, as Eastleigh's 100% record was tarnished at the weekend; football manager Paul Doswell shared his thoughts with the Echo.
Describing Andy Forbes' second half header as a 'big' moment in the game, but fully believes that Eastleigh's top striker will be back to his best shortly.
"Forbesy's down in the dumps at the moment because he's not scoring, but he'll come good," said Doswell. "He always does.
"That header was a big moment in the game. We knew we had to come out in the second half and get a goal back, but it wasn't to be.
"We had no option but to come at them but, in doing that, you open yourselves up at the back".
Well, after playing our first three opening games, I am very happy to report that after the disappointment of losing our first league game against Tooting & Mitcham 4-1, where to be honest we played poorly, the 2nd team players have bounced back with two away victories, beating Fleet Town 2-1 and Beaconsfield SYCOB 2-1.
The pleasing factor for me has been the fact that after talking through the performance we put in against Tooting & Mitcham, all the players took on board the comments from the management team and started to put these into practice with the much improved performance at Fleet Town, where Taz Roberts and Zach Glasspool were the scorers.
Eastleigh went into this game on a high with four wins from five following their bank holiday Monday win over Dorchester at the beginning of the week, though this afternoon it was all about Sutton United.
The hosts crashed to their first home defeat of the new campaign as Sutton United comfortably held their own to record their first win.
They had their goalkeeper, Phil Wilson, to thank for his crucial saves throughout the match, as well as their two-goal match winner – Ross Montague.
Returning to the side for Eastleigh was Karim El-Salahi, back from suspension who took up a role in the centre of defence. Rob Marshall was still missing through injury, meanwhile Warren Ryan – goalscorer in that Dorchester win; was missing completely. Ellis Green was given his first start since the Bath City defeat.