EASTLEIGH made it five wins and five clean sheets in pre-season as they overpowered AFC Bournemouth’s under-21s 3-0.
Richard Hill’s men produced a well-drilled performance that sets them up nicely for Friday's visit of League One champions Sheffield United (Friday, July 28, 7.45pm).
The Cherries began well with Ben Whitfield drawing a diving save from Eastleigh ’keeper Graham Stack after 17 minutes, but it was the Spitfires who took the lead.
With 34 minutes gone, Bournemouth’s youngsters failed to deal with a corner and the giant figure of Ayo Obileye found the roof of the net.
It remained 1-0 until the last 20 minutes when Eastleigh struck twice to put the game beyond their young visitors.
Paul McCallum, on as a half-time sub, netted a bullet header from close range, teed up by Chris Zebroski’s cross.
Ex-Newport man Zebroski then tucked away the rebound after Cherries’ sub keeper Callum Stanton had parried the ball.
Eastleigh’s squad again included trialists Tom Leggett, Harvey Read and Dominic Vose – plus 27-year-old former St Albans, Tonbridge and Whitehawk midfielder Dave Ijaha, newly released by Plymouth Argyle.
Bournemouth's under-21s manager Carl Fletcher feels the young Cherries will have learned from the experience.
He said: “Eastleigh are a top National League side and, with the players they have in their squad, there could be 2,000 Football League games in there. That made it a really good test for us.
“You come to places like this for proper football."
Winchester City fell behind to a Rudy Plummer goal at Blackfield & Langley, but hit back to draw 1-1.
Ben ‘Chalky’ White found Simba Mlambo, who pulled the ball back for fellow ex-Fleet man Rob Carr to equalise.
Winchester boss Craig Davis said: “It was a different sort of test against a decent Blackfield side. We were expecting a tougher game and it proved that way, although there were plenty of positives to take from it.”
AFC Totton ran out comfortable 4-0 victors at Bemerton Heath, thanks to Nathaniel Sherborne (2), Sam Roberts and Craig Feeney.
Totton created chances galore and satisfied boss Louis Langdown summed up: “It was a good game on a great surface. Bemerton’s pitch is always great and, considering they beat Gosport, we were expecting it to be a tough game. In all honesty, it could have been 15!"
Former Stags favourite Mike Gosney was among the scorers as Andover Town beat neighbours Andover New Street 3-1.
Another ex-AFC Totton man, loanee Marley Ridge, struck twice for Moneyfields in their 5-0 win over Fareham Town. Ryan Pennery (2) and Gary Austin were also on target for the Evo-Stik South East new boys.
UPCOMING FRIENDLIES.
Friday, July 28.
Eastleigh v Sheffield Utd.
Gosport Borough v Bognor Regis.
Team Solent v Thatcham Town (3G).
Saturday, July 29.
AFC Portchester v AFC Bournemouth XI (1.30).
Andover Town v Hedge End Rangers (Sparsholt College).
AFC Stoneham v Arundel.
AFC Totton v Chichester City.
Brockenhurst Development v Shrewton.
East Preston v Fareham Town.
Fordingbridge Turks v Sholing XI.
Hailsham Town v Brockenhurst.
Hamble Club v Moneyfields.
Hythe & Dibden v Lymington Town.
Stockbridge v Totton & Eling.
US Portsmouth v Blackfield & Langley.
Wimborne Town v Gosport Borough.
Winchester City v Alresford Town.
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