Eastleigh VS Southampton match report
As Eastleigh and Southampton fans poured into the Silver Lake Stadium there was a real atmosphere around the stands with Southampton fans in full voice as the game began.
Southampton started dominating possession and as an attack was building the Spitfires Temi Eweka found himself injured in his own box. Sadly, he was substituted off for captain Arron Pierre in the 10th minute of the game. In a strange run of bad luck, the Saints Casper Jander found himself injured by the exact same spot in the pitch and was subbed off in the 11th minute for Joe O’Brien Whitmarsh. After a Southampton free kick Eastleigh fly into a counterattack led by club star Aaron Blair leading to a corner.
As the corner swings into the box a scrap for the ball ensued that led to new signing Nick Akoto sending it home to put the Spitfires a goal up in the 13th minute. However, the Eastleigh ecstasy was short lived as just 11 minutes later the Eastleigh defence were spread by the Southampton attackers. A darting ball into the box was hammered home by Lewis Dobbin to draw the game 1-1.
The Saints kept dominating and after a strong header was sent home by Nicholas Oyekunle the Saints went 1-2 up. However, Eastleigh kept fighting and almost found a tie, but Hady Ghandour was stopped by the keeper with calls for a penalty which the referee did not entertain.
As the Second half began Southampton were dominate in possession even after using all their subs to give their academy a run out. Southampton fans remained in full song with references to their spy gate case last season. Even though the Saints were strong in possession Eastleigh also contributed some brilliant attacking play. The score remained the same until substitute Romeo Akachuwu found the back of the net expanding the Saints lead.
Just before the goal Eastleigh had subbed on their academy players who had a very good run out for the last 15 minutes of the game. They managed to hold the Saints off till the final whistle after an impressive display from everyone in blue.
Matt Gray said that he was “pleased” and that his team showed “quality and discipline”. He was happy with their use of set pieces and said the academy squad were “brilliant” and that they should “go home proud”. A great footballing display by Eastleigh against a well-established EFL team will give them much to look forward to this season especially after stunning performances for new signings Nick Akoto and Ibrahim Bakare.
