Eastleigh Vs Saints

Saints made the short journey to The Silverlake Stadium to play The Spitfires. Saints handed Hammill a start and he didn't dissapoint, a goal on his debut, while the two trailists Gregory Vignal and Tamas Vasko got a run out in the second half in a comfortable victory for George Burleys Army.

Saints went behind to a Scannell goal after just five minutes, Andy forbes shot was well beaten away but Kelvin Davis , he again managed to block his next shot only for it to fall to the feet of Scannell who just had to tuck it in from 7 yards. 2800 were stunned, about 2500 of these fans were Saints fans.

A shakey start was almost punished again! Watts cut in from the left and saw his shot superbly saved by Davis in the goal.

From there it was all Southampton, Hammill and Licka involved in a move down the left which lead to Skacel overlapping to squeeze in a cross which was turned in by Mc Goldrick.

McGoldrick was almost on the scoresheet another 2 times, he had a header well saved by Pullen and a shot which was going in until it hit Grzegorz Rasiak, he held it up well and layed it off for debutant Hammill to score! 2-1 Saints!

A challenge involving Davis and Forbes meant that Davis was subbed just 3 minutes after the rash challenge on the former Sunderland keeper. He fell badly on his shoulder and looks as though he has pulled ligaments in his shoulder. He could be on the sidelines for a while. Meaning saints only have one fit keeper as Bartosz has not yet come back from the Under 20 world cup.

Saints then went 3-1 up. A great chip to the back post by Wright was headed down for Licka to bang one in for Saints.

Eastleigh got back into the game a minute from the break. Watts passed it to Forbes, he went down after Powell had clearly won the ball, the ref who was in a terrible place to tell pointed to the spot, even though the linesman didn't flag. Forbes got up and scored a penalty, the ball was almost saved by Poke, he got a hand on it but it went in the top right-hand corner. 3-2 at half time.

Burley changed everything around at half time, the 2 trailists got a half each and proved expectations!

Saints went restored a 2 goal lead, Saganowski and Wright-Phillips kicked off, played it to Idiakez who sprayed the ball out to Nathan Dyer, he pegged it down the flank and delivered a cross which Wright-Phillips headed in. The goal was timed at 45 minutes and 13 seconds.

Saints has numerous chances and 2 blatant penalty appeals turned down. Nevertheless saints got through the game, it could and should have been more but everyone was happy come the final whistle.

Star player was Eastleigh goalkeeper Pullen, he used to play for Ipswitch in the Premiership and proved why he is so highly rated. If it wasn't for him it could have been double figures!
Made some great saves! was unlucky to get injured, lets hope he can recover.

Poke(7) played well when needed! got stuck in and really showed the Eastleigh players the respect they deserved! was a bit week against the big forwards Eastleigh have, one for the future no doubt! Took him a while to get stuck in but when he did he played well. Had a great spell on the pitch, linked with Hammill well, was never under any pressure going back due to team against us. tryed hard, looked good, despite obvious lack of zing about him like we have seen before. Passed the ball well, did what he does usually well, fantastic cross for Rasiak to knock down and for Saints to score thanks to Licka. took his goal well and looked great going forward. A goal on his debut, looked sharp, wanted to score goals. Looks like one for this season. Good luck to the lad! Worked hard and set up 2 goals. was vital for Saints and he was needed upfront to add some airial threat. Due to Kenwynes injury he was needed! Took his goal well. Burley may think twice about loaning him out! Played very well, looked like a real threat from corners and set plays. He looked comfortable on the ball and Saints didn't lose out on a goal when he played. Made some runs, we never got to see him defend. Hatch 6
Idiakez 7
Makin 6
Dyer 8
Wright Phillips 8
James 6
Surman 7 George Burley, got what he wanted out of the game, saw some of his youngstars and new boys play well David Hughes managed his side well, although he needed Pullen to help him out! The players left some energy for the trip to Norway. Although Burley was so tired by the time the coach had got to Winchester he was already asleep.

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