Eastleigh advance as Saunders brace eliminates Aldershot

Credit: Elliot Norton

After a torrid run of form, Eastleigh managed their first win in six games at home to FA Trophy opponents Aldershot on Saturday.

There was much anticipation for this fixture as, despite sitting 23rd and firmly in the relegation zone, Aldershot won this competition with a 3-0 win over Spennymoor Town just six months ago.

Both teams needed a win on saturday to as they looked to turn thier seasons around. Despite a comeback 2-1 win at home to Altrincham, Aldershot were still firmly in the drop zone with one league win in two months, whilst Eastleigh continued to fall down the order as they suffered another 2-0 defeat, this time at the hands of top of the league Rochdale which meant they hadnt won a league game in five.

Eastleigh Manager made four changes to the team that lost to Rochdale. Goalkeeper Nick Townsend’s illness meant that Josh McNamara was between the sticks, whilst Fernandes, Waite and McCallum made way for Vokins, Pierre and Aaron Blair. The latter returning to the starting line-up after a two month abscense due to a injured hamstring.

The visitors made only one change to the side that beat Altrincham as James Henry made way for Tyler Frost.

Their was action from the first minute as both teams looked for an early opener with Eastleigh pressing hard, as the returning Aaron Blair looked to cause the visiors trouble early on.

The pressing worked as through their possession came a lovely team goal, as a through ball from the left hand side found a deep run from Josh Lundstrum, whos clever back heel put the ball on a plate for Harvey Saunders, who rifled his shot into the bottom corner inside 30 minutes.

The visitors tried to fight back in the first half but struggled to create any clear chances. Their best effort blocked by a sliding trio of Eweka, Harris and Vokins.

The second half saw the visitors increase the pressure, John Coleman’s side threw cross after cross into Eastleighs box, with the hosts able to deal with them everytime.

As time went on Aldershot’s players were getting desperate, and after another attempted cross was intercepeted, newly subbed on McCallum released Saunders, who skipped past the last defender before cooly doubling Eastleighs lead.

The second goal was enough to see some of the travelling fans out the door with 10 minutes left to play.

Underterred by a lack of faith from thier own fans, Aldershot pressed on. Determined to not go out of the competition they had won just six months prior. And following a six yeard box scramble, the shots had a lifeline as Kwame Thomas poked the ball home ensuring a thrilling end to the game.

Time was running out and, both teams knew it. Aldershot players stayed forward after a well defended corner as they looked to snatch a late equaliser, but the final cross into the box was found wanting as Josh Mcnamara smothered the ball, as the full time whilst blew.

The win sees Eastleigh threw to the next round of the FA trophy whilst Aldershot were left to think of what could have been. Focus for them now, solely on staying up as they look to make up the four point gap between them and the last safe spot.

‘We have had a horendous run’

Eastleigh boss Scott Bartlett told Winchester News online:

‘Im really pleased for them all to be fair, because we have had a horrendous run and we have had a horrendous run of injuries and bits that have gone against us within that, and its nice for them to get a reward…’

‘Everyones gone home happy. They have seen their team run hard, block shots, stop crosses, win first and second balls and obviously brilliant goals, so im pleased.’

When asked about finding his ideal starting line-up Bartlett said:

‘I dont care who plays’

“When you win you always feel like you’ve got it right, but its down to the players. I have said loads of times I dont care who plays, genuienly dont care who plays. We have got to set them up in a way that I feel gets the best out of the majority of them.”

‘Its not just the players’

Aldershot manager John Coleman told Winchester News Online:

“It was poor, we were poor in the first half. Ive got to thank our travelling fans, I think there was about 480, probably half the crowd and they didnt deserve the showing that we served up in the first half and I have to take the blame for that as well, its not just the players, I have to take the blame for that, I set them up, I do the tactics, I set the shape up of how we are going to play and I pick the team.”

‘To defend it like we did is Unacceptable’

“I would have loved to have been part of the trophy winning team last year, think the fans must have had an unbelieveable day out. And to defend it like we did is unacceptable to me, and there will be a few harsh words being spoken this week aswell.”