10-man Eastleigh show promotion credentials in gutsy win over Weymouth

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Finishing in the play-off places are the season’s objective for the Spitfires and heading into the second-half of the season they remain in touching distance.

Against Weymouth on Sunday, Ben Strevens’ men showed off their resilient side in a roller-coaster 3-2 victory.

It is a facet fans could get used to seeing, and with it, the Spits could be a real force in 2022 as they push for promotion to the Football League. Previously, there have been concerns raised as to whether the team possesses enough firepower at the top end of the pitch.

But in Sunday’s thriller with struggling Weymouth, it was clear to see they have enough quality within their ranks to achieve something this season.

Despite being a man down for the entirety of the second period following Jake Hesketh’s shock first half dismissal, and throwing away a two-goal lead late on, the Spits found a way to steal the three points courtesy of some Danny Whitehall brilliance at the death. 

In truth, it was a game of two contrasting halves. The first burst into life towards the end, while the second, was hard to catch your breath throughout. Perhaps a microcosm into the National League.

Eastleigh’s first goal of 2022 came through experienced striker Tyrone Barnett late in the first-half. The 36-year-old guided a Ryan Hill cut-back from the left into the far bottom corner, notching his fifth league goal of the campaign in the process.

Spitfires’ midfielder Hesketh, was a bright spark in what had been a relatively subdued first half viewing, but was given his marching orders moments before the break by referee Tom Bishop – leaving everyone inside the Silverlake perplexed as to why.

Bishop judged the former Southampton midfielder to have laid hands on him after awarding a foul, feeling well within his rights to show him a straight red card. Team-mates and coaching staff led the protests, but nothing would stop Hesketh from walking down the tunnel early. 

There wasn’t much separating the two teams. It was a scrappy, uneventful first 40 minutes which looked destined to be a stalemate come the break. However, with the well taken Barnett goal and the red card, the game was always going to change tempo one way or another in the second 45 – it was just a case of when.

Despite being a man light, the Spits were easily the better of the two teams after the break. Centre-back duo, Tom Broadbent and Andrew Boyce both saw efforts from inside the Weymouth area scrambled to safety, while winger Hill was at the forefront of everything good for the hosts.

Strevens’ side deservedly doubled their lead just past the hour mark through defensive midfielder Christian Maghoma. The Gillingham loanee has impressed during his spell on the South Coast, and was in fine form against the Terras. 

Springing on a loose ball inside the Weymouth half, the midfielder charged into the area before cooley slotting the ball past goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons. What followed was appropriate chanting of Maghoma’s name, he impressed heavily throughout a tough game.

Just as Eastleigh fans started to give the travelling contingent some light hearted banter from across the tarpaulin separating them, the away side suddenly clicked into gear. 

Passing the ball with purpose from right to left, Josh McQuoid arrived at the back post to convert a cross from the left to give them hope of a revival with 10 minutes to play. 

Weymouth boss Brian Stock rallied his troops and they got the goal they were looking for. Brandon Goodship, who was brought on shortly after the break, was lively for the visitors and engineered a chance for himself inside the Eastleigh area on 88 minutes. 

Tricky feet from the forward allowed him space to go from left to right foot before sending a low effort across goal. The ball struck a body on it’s way into the net, but Goodship will take all the credit for giving those behind the goal something to cheer about. Although, those smiles would quickly leave the faces of those Terras supporters.

Togetherness in the Eastleigh camp was portrayed from the first whistle, and when it was needed towards the last, it proved crucial. Manager Strevens turned and shouted to the crowd after following Weymouth’s equaliser: “Get behind the lads!”.  

120 seconds later, a ball over the top found Danny Whitehall. With Weymouth defenders busy appealing for offside, the striker drove towards goal. 

Whitehall showed great composure to escape the clutches of retreating Terras defender Tyler Cordner in the area. Then it was as if time stood still, the home fans’ roar of “GO ON” echoed for merely a second before the substitute buried the ball past Fitzsimons at his near post. 

Sam Smart, who put in a great shift down the right flank for the hosts all afternoon, had not long come off the pitch for some much deserved respite. But without hesitation, the 23-year-old charged onto the pitch when the ball hit the net, to celebrate with team-mate Ryan Hill. 

Referee Bishop deemed it worthy of a yellow card for the youngster, walking over to the Spitfires’ bench to produce it before the game would resume. 

It would be Eastleigh who would come out on top in a quite incredible affair. Granted, it’s a narrow victory against a Weymouth side who have now lost their previous six league games. But in tough circumstances, Eastleigh showed they can find a way to win when things aren’t going smoothly. 

The realisation that a two goal lead had been thrown away never entered the minds of those on the pitch, they quickly responded with a goal of their own in stoppage time, sending the home faithful into raptures. 

It’s going to be a case of following this victory up now for Eastleigh. If they want to be considered serious play-off contenders, they need to mirror this type of performance on a regular basis.

Meanwhile elsewhere, Aldershot left it late to claim three points against Woking. The Cardinals lead 2-1 with two minutes of normal time remaining, but goals from Corie Andrews Mikael Ndjoli late on turned the game on it’s head. In the process, the Shots extend their unbeaten record against Woking to nine. 

Whilst Bromley’s trip to Southend United was postponed due to COVID-19 cases in the Southend camp.

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