earn a late draw in their
crucial Blue Square South
encounter with rivals
Havant & Waterlooville
last night.
Paul Sales' 84th minute strike cancelled
out Rocky Baptiste's 76th
minute opener.
The point moves Eastleigh up to
third, while Havant remain 11th.
More than 1,200 people crammed
into the Silverlake Stadium to see the
crunch match between the play-off
contenders.
Eastleigh boss Ian Baird made two
changes to the side that drew 0-0 with
another play-off hopeful, Bishop's
Stortford, at the weekend.
Captain Andy Harris was ruled out
by a knee injury, while midfielder
David Hughes dropped to the bench.
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New signing Kevin James, who
joined from Crawley on transfer deadline
day, made his debut, while
Anthony Riviere took up the captain's
armband on his return.
For Havant, Charlie Henry and
Tony Taggart dropped to the bench,
with Shaun Wilkinson and Craig
Watkins elevated to the starting lineup.
Andy Forbes had the first meaningful
effort in the 17th minute, firing
past the far post from the right side of
the area.
A minute later, Watkins' volley from
the edge of the area forced Jason
Matthews into a good save.
Sales was booked in the 27th minute
for a late lunge on ex-Saint Brett
Poate, which sparked some pushing
and shoving between the two sides.
Neil Sharp was cautioned a few minutes
later for bringing down Sales.
Forbes should have scored in the
34th minute, when he superbly chested
down Luke Byles' hopeful ball into
the box, but Kevin Scriven pulled off a
stunning close range save.
Right on half-time, Baptiste was
found unmarked in the box, but he
pulled his shot wide with just
Matthews to beat.
James should have made it a debut
to remember in the 51st minute, but
his header from Chris Piper's cross
didn't have enough power to beat
Scriven from eight yards.
A long ball out of defence in the 58th
minute found Luke Nightingale
sprinting clear, but the striker
Havant signed from Bognor last week
chipped over the bar with Matthews
stranded.
When Scriven's kick hit his own
defender in the 67th minute, Forbes
had a chance to lob him, but could not
hit the target.
Sharp was substituted in the 71st
minute, after clashing heads with
Ashley Vickers, and had to be taken to
hospital with a suspected fractured
cheekbone.
Sales could have broken the deadlock
in the 75th minute, when he burst
through the middle, but his off-balance
shot was comfortably saved.
The miss proved costly, as Havant
immediately broke away and substitute
Gavin McCallum's brilliant driven
cross was headed in by Baptiste.
However, Eastleigh were level in the
84th minute, as Baptiste lost the ball
and sub Hughes found James in the
penalty area.
He couldn't work room for the shot,
but the ball broke to Sales, who sidefooted
coolly home from 12 yards.
Vickers nearly gave Eastleigh a dramatic
first ever win against their
Hampshire rivals three minutes from
the end.
He chested the ball down on the edge
of the box, only to see his left foot volley
fly agonisingly wide of the top corner.
Posted by: EDOF, Winchester on 5:57pm Wed 2 Apr 08
What a great advertisement for Non League Football was served up at the Silverlake Stadium last night. The game had almost everything, and was played in a great spirit despite the importance of the occasion. Any football fans dissilusioned with the pro game could do a lot worse than take in a game at this level - where passion and desire are still in abundance.
What a great advertisement for Non League Football was served up at the Silverlake Stadium last night. The game had almost everything, and was played in a great spirit despite the importance of the occasion. Any football fans dissilusioned with the pro game could do a lot worse than take in a game at this level - where passion and desire are still in abundance.
I'll go along with that Dave.A couple of Saints season ticket holder were commenting on the game last night, saying that they wern't renewing their season ticket and would be coming to watch alot of Eastleigh games
I'll go along with that Dave.A couple of Saints season ticket holder were commenting on the game last night, saying that they wern't renewing their season ticket and would be coming to watch alot of Eastleigh games
Posted by: Froaker, Eastleigh on 7:52pm Wed 2 Apr 08
Agree with all the above comments - the best atmosphere I have ever experienced at The Silverlake - Thought both sets of fans contributed to make it a really good night and the game was played in the right spirit too, well done all involved
Agree with all the above comments - the best atmosphere I have ever experienced at The Silverlake - Thought both sets of fans contributed to make it a really good night and the game was played in the right spirit too, well done all involved
"Agree with all the above comments - the best atmosphere I have ever experienced at The Silverlake"
Not saying a lot is it! I take it that H&W must have bought a few then to lift it from its usual WI atmosphere.
"Agree with all the above comments - the best atmosphere I have ever experienced at The Silverlake"
Not saying a lot is it! I take it that H&W must have bought a few then to lift it from its usual WI atmosphere.
Posted by: Froaker, Eastleigh on 10:50pm Wed 2 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Iain Williams[/bold] wrote:
"Agree with all the above comments - the best atmosphere I have ever experienced at The Silverlake" Not saying a lot is it! I take it that H&W must have bought a few then to lift it from its usual WI atmosphere. [/quote] No, true but at least some of us support our local team, rather than sit around sniggering about it
Iain Williams wrote:
"Agree with all the above comments - the best atmosphere I have ever experienced at The Silverlake" Not saying a lot is it! I take it that H&W must have bought a few then to lift it from its usual WI atmosphere.
No, true but at least some of us support our local team, rather than sit around sniggering about it
Posted by: Loud & Proud EFC, In The Library on 11:44pm Wed 2 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Iain Williams[/bold] wrote:
"Agree with all the above comments - the best atmosphere I have ever experienced at The Silverlake" Not saying a lot is it! I take it that H&W must have bought a few then to lift it from its usual WI atmosphere. [/quote] Since the seats have gone in up the motorway end.The atmosphere @ the two games since has been great.
I suspect Mr Williams has not been to the 'lake lately,if at all
Iain Williams wrote:
"Agree with all the above comments - the best atmosphere I have ever experienced at The Silverlake" Not saying a lot is it! I take it that H&W must have bought a few then to lift it from its usual WI atmosphere.
Since the seats have gone in up the motorway end.The atmosphere @ the two games since has been great.
I suspect Mr Williams has not been to the 'lake lately,if at all
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