Sport
Eastleigh come from behind to earn draw in manager’s first home game

Credit: Elliot Norton
The draw sees Eastleigh sit 13th in the table after earning five points in the first three games under their new manager, as they extend their unbeaten run to four games following the departure of former head coach Kelvin Davis, who left after the loss to Braintree in late September.
Both goals came from crosses, as Jacob Wakeling’s opener was cancelled out by a towering header from Saunders.
The winger cut into the box and jumped highest to meet the deflected cross, powering his header past Laurie Walker.
The header ensured that Bartlett’s first home game in charge didn’t end in defeat, while also solidifying their place in mid-table.
The draw for Solihull sees them having won only two of their last five matches as they sit 17th in the table.
Ahead of the game, it was confirmed that Eastleigh had signed both Ciaran McGuckin and Luke Skinner on short-term loans, with the former slotting straight into the starting 11 while Skinner was among the substitutes.
Scott Bartlett undoubtedly wanted to get off to a winning start at home following the team’s 2-0 win away at Truro midweek.
Eastleigh started brightest, but both teams struggled to break down each other’s defence.
The first half consisted of a battle of the midfield with Solihull opting for a 4-5-1 formation that looked to take control of the middle of the park.
Eastleigh created chances in the first half, finding McGuckin on several occasions, who linked up with Aaron Blair to cause problems for Solihull early on.
While there were shots on goal, none found the back of the net, with the best chance of the half falling to Eastleigh’s McGuckin, whose effort forced a save from Walker.
Despite looking more in control, it was Eastleigh who went behind shortly after the second half started as Jacob Wakeling hit home following a low driven cross from Ben Worman, only two minutes after the restart.
Bartlett’s men responded quickly, creating chances that nearly saw them level. Blair and Davis linked up on the right-hand side before a low cross was met again by McGuckin, who saw his effort cleared off the line by Solihull’s defence.
Only a few minutes later and Eastleigh were level as a deflected cross was met by Harvey Saunders, who had drifted into the box.
Both teams pushed on for a winner, with the best chance falling to new Eastleigh signing Luke Skinne,r who came off the bench to replace the injured Aaron Blair. His effort was saved by Walker.
Full time at the Silverlake with the points shared between the teams as the new Eastleigh boss Scott Bartlett continues his undefeated run as manager, having taken five points from his first three games.
Eastleigh’s head coach Scott Bartlett told Winchester News Online:
“It’s not necessarily about me, but it’s about the players and their relationship with the supporters, it’s really important”
When asked about the injury to Aaron Blair:
‘Obviously just spoken to him but I don’t know, we probably won’t know that for another day or two, but it didn’t look a great one from experience…’
‘We just hope that it’s not long because he’s been brilliant for us since I’ve been here and previously, I understand. He’ll be a miss, but that’s what you have a squad for, and it’s up to someone else to step up while we give Aaron the time to recover.”
Sport
Billie Jean King – Battle of the Sexes – 1973

The year was 1973. The lights of the Houston Astrodome glared down on a tennis court that had become more than just a playing field — it was a stage for a cultural revolution.
Cameras flashed, tension buzzed in the air, and two players stepped onto the court — one a confident showman, the other a determined trailblaser carrying the hopes of millions.
As the first serve sliced through the air on that September evening, millions around the world weren’t just watching a tennis match — they were witnessing a fight for equality, respect, and change.
Billie Jean King is a legendary American tennis champion and advocate for gender equality whose career and impact extends far beyond the court.
With 39 Grand Slams titles and a historic victory in 1973, “Battle of the Sexes” match, she not only proved her athletic ability but also challenged stereotypes about women within the world of sport.
As a founder of the Women’s Tennis Association and a leader behind equal prize money, King became a powerful force for fairness and inclusion, later emerging as a voice for LGBTQ+ rights.
Her legacy as both a world class athlete and a fearless activist changed the game for generations to come.
The “Battle of the Sexes” was a famous match, between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, a former men’s champion who was adamant that men were superior athletes.
The match was played in front of more than 30,000 fans at the Houston Astrodome and watched by roughly 90 million people worldwide, the event was a both a sporting spectacle and a major milestone in the fight for gender equality.
Billie Jean King defeated Riggs in straight sets (6-4, 6-3, 6-3), this proved that women could compete in the highest level which inspired greater respect and opportunities for female athletes around the world.
The event’s impact was immediate. Women’s tennis surged in popularity, drawing new audiences, sponsorships, and media coverage. King used the momentum to push for lasting change.
This helped the US Open to become the first major tournament to offer equal pay. Her win also empowered a new generation of female athletes to come out and code and what was rightfully theirs.
More than five decades later, the Battle of the Sexes remains a cultural milestone.
It symbolised more than just a tennis match, it was a statement about equality, perseverance, and the power of sport to challenge societal norms.
Football
Ivan Juric leaves Southampton after earliest ever relegation

Ivan Juric has left his role as Southampton first team manager following the club’s relegation on Sunday.
The Croatian joined the Saints on an 18-month deal in December following Russell Martin’s dismissal but lasted just 107 days in charge.
Juric oversaw just two victories in his 16 matches in charge with Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Tottenham confirming Southampton’s relegation to the Championship.
With seven matches still to play, Saints’ relegation is the earliest in Premier League history, breaking the joint-record set by Derby County and Huddersfield Town in 2007-08 and 2018-19 respectively, who both went down after 32 games.
The club confirmed the process of searching for a new manager is now under way and said: “With relegation to the Championship now confirmed, we believe it is important to give fans, players and staff some clarity on the future as we head into a very important summer.”
First team coach Simon Rusk is set to take charge of the team for the remainder of the season with player Adam Lallana to act as his assistant.
Southampton currently sit on 10 points at the bottom of the league and require a further two points to avoid breaking the record-low set by Derby County, who finished the 2007-08 season with 11 points.
Autism
Slopes that don’t discriminate at Solent Ski Club

Solent ski club has been providing adaptive skiing sessions for people with various disabilities for over 20 years.
Sessions take place on the second Sunday of every month at the Alpine Sports Centre in Southampton.
The club has been a charity since 2017. It is funded by member subscriptions, ski session fees and donations.
Club Chairman, Peter Ramm said: “The aim of the club is to put a smile on their faces. Ultimately, we take a view that everyone has a disability when they come skiing because they put a plank of wood on their feet.”
Solent Ski Club hope their guidance can provide disabled skiers with more confidence and therefore greater independence and enjoyment when on the slopes.
Peter Ramm said: “The primary driver is safety, it’s about having enough people around them to ensure they can ski safely.”
The club also aims to develop the skiing knowledge and skills of all members.
Qualified ski instructors, trained ski guides and many volunteers are present at all sessions.
Florence Davies, a skier at the club said: “My favourite thing is probably getting to speak to and enjoy laughs with other people that share similar difficulties to me. Getting to know other people and finding my independence.”
Ellie Wheatley, another participant, who is partially deaf due to a condition called CMV which was passed onto her at birth by her mother, said: “It’s good for my confidence, it gives me opportunities to get out and interact with the wider world. There’s no sport where you’re at a height, you’ve fallen over half the time, but you’re still smiling at the end of it.”
Solent Ski Club look forward to January 18th, where they will take a group of their disability skiers on their annual trip to Folgaria in Italy, to enjoy the experience on real snow, in the mountains.
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