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 17^th 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.”