Credit: Elliot Norton

The defeat at the Silverlake Stadium means that Eastleigh are now five games without a win in all competitions, a run of form which sees them down in 14th in the league table, while Hartlepool move into 8th, just five points away from the playoff spots.

Eastleigh lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, which they have used for the first time last week in their one-all draw with Carlisle after the departure of striker Luke Skinner.

The only slight change was that Kieron Evans started up front, as Harvey Saunders was moved to left midfield.

The main changes for Eastleigh were on the bench as Aaron Blair returned to the squad since he picked up a hamstring injury against Solihull back in September.

Alongside Blair on the bench was new signing James Waite, who made his first appearance on the team sheet after signing on loan from Weston-super-Mare mid-week.

Hartlepool moved away from their usual 4-1-4-1 and 4-2-3-1 formations for the game, adopting a 4-3-2-1 formation, which saw forward Adam Campbell tuck in to midfield to help with creativity.

The change in formation worked well for the visitors, who controlled the game in the midfield, playing some beautiful passes whilst Eastleigh struggled to keep up.

This was evident in the build-up to the first goal, as a well-worked team display led to the opener. Eight passes between several Hartlepool players moved the ball from deep within their own half to the edge of Eastleigh’s box and at the feet of their left back, Cameron John, who was left unmarked and in acres of space. His striker-like finish blasted past Nick Townsend, off the inside of the far post and into the back of the net.

Just four minutes later, and it was two-nil to the visitors as Eastleigh allowed Nathan Sheron too much space on the edge of the area. The midfielder’s left-footed strike curled into the near post, putting Hartlepool out of sight.

The only positives for Eastleigh were the return of Aaron Blair and the signing of new Welsh midfielder James Waite. Both came on in the 71st minute. Blair appeared to be back to his best, creating chances as he tried to get his team back into the game, but to no avail. Whilst Waite got his first minutes following his loan move from Weston-super-Mare.

As far as positives go, that’s it for Eastleigh as they were out-ran, outworked and outplayed by Hartlepool, especially in the second half. Eastleigh had very few chances on goal, the best of which was a shot by Paul McCallum that was directed straight at George Evans.

‘The squad is not as good as I thought it was’

Eastleigh manager Scott Bartlett told Winchester News Online:

“Just a realisation that the squad is not as good as I thought it was or I hoped it was, really. I thought we had made some really good progress, but that’s easy to do right at the beginning, and sometimes it takes a little bit of time for things to unfold properly.”

‘We have got one or two who are not good enough for the level’

“I think we have got one or two that either can not do it consistently for us or are not good enough for the level. I’ll be brutally honest; I have been honest with them, I always am. There is no hiding place. You know we are all out there together, we are all in it together. The bottom line is we have to be better than that, and we have not been better than that consistently, I don’t think.”

‘We are a couple of months in, and we do not know what our best team is still’

I picked the team I thought deserved to play, based on their efforts last week. But as I just said, we can’t seem to follow that up two games running at the moment, which is really frustrating. You know, we are a couple of months in, and we do not know what our best team is still. There are some reasons for that, with people coming back from injury, we have had suspensions and international call-ups, but we are still none the wiser in terms of what is going to consistently get us results.”

Diabetes is a condition that affects 5.8 million people in the UK as of 2024. 

With different types of diabetes, it is important that people know the difference between the two. 

This November is diabetes awareness month, this year the focus is on breaking the stigma. 

Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are to high due to a lack of insulin in the body. 

Type 1 diabetes is where the body is not capable of producing insulin, whereas type 2 is high blood sugar caused by insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance is where the body is producing insulin but it is not able to do its job. 

90% of those with diabetes in the UK suffer with Type 2 and another 8% with Type 1.

While type 2 can be managed through lifestyle changes like staying active and eating a healthy balanced diet, type 1 is only treatable with the use of insulin. 

Managing the symptoms of diabetes is incredibly important to prevent potential complications people with diabetes can be predisposed to. 

If left untreated for a long period of time, high glucose levels in your blood can cause subsequent problems in the body, but with the right care plan people can live a normal healthy life. 

The process to a diagnosis has become much better over the last ten years, diabetes is diagnosed from a blood test, if there are no symptoms it can go undiagnosed. 

But what are some of the common symptoms? 

Symptoms can depend on the type of diabetes you have, but some of the most common symptoms can include:

• Going to the toilet a lot
• Being excessively thirsty
• Feeling more tired than usual
• Cuts and wounds taking longer to heal 
• Blurred vision

The earlier a diagnosis can come the better, this helps prevent risks of further complications.

Once diagnosed diabetes can be managed and treated, but how does this change when children are diagnosed? 

Carl Campion went into detail, explaining how parents of children with type 1 diabetes have to think about things other parents may not think twice about. 

He spoke about how you can’t stop children from wanting to run around and play but for children with type 1 diabetes they have to be more prepared, giving them a sugary snack or drink before beginning to play. 

This is just the start of how a parents’ responsibilities can grow even more when their children have diabetes. 

Diabetes is a condition that requires a round the clock care plan. 

Anyone can be diagnosed with the condition at any time, while people can be predisposed to it, its important to keep an active, healthy lifestyle and go to regular health checks to minimise the risk. 

Bumblebees could be spotted later into winter across Hampshire this year as warmer temperatures continue to shift insects’ seasonal behaviour, conservationists say.

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT) highlights that winter remains a major challenge for bees.

“Despite their fluffy jackets, bees find it especially hard to survive over winter,” the Trust said, adding that the UK’s 270 species have “developed a range of fascinating tactics to make it through to the warmer months”.

Later sightings

Bumblebee activity in Hampshire typically declines by late autumn, but milder winters have resulted in sightings well into December, especially in urban areas where flowering plants last longer.

Buff-tailed bumblebees – one of the UK’s most common and easily recognisable species – are now regularly recorded foraging in late autumn and early winter.

Scientists behind a study published in PLOS ONE, an international peer-reviewed science journal, reinforce this trend.

They found that buff-tailed bumblebees in southern England can remain active throughout the winter, even producing workers and new queens, with foraging rates in towns comparable to those seen in summer.

How different species cope

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust says bee species use a variety of strategies to get through the colder months.

“Spring-flying bees will develop into adults over the summer and spend the winter within a cocoon,” the Trust said.

Despite this, bumblebees take a different approach.

“Bumblebees will only prioritise the survival of the queen – the rest of the colony will be left to die.”

The queen’s survival

Queens feed heavily in autumn to build fat reserves before seeking a dry, sheltered hibernation spot.

“Despite these preparations … only around half of these queen bees will survive the winter,” The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust states in their blog.

Their behaviour can often be observed in gardens, parks and nature reserves across Hampshire.

Urban food sources

Warmer winters and the heat retained in built-up areas allow some bees to stay active for longer, supported by winter-flowering plants such as ivy, heather and winter honeysuckle.

Many of these species grow naturally across Hampshire, with the New Forest in particular well known for its extensive heather habitats.

Researchers say these conditions may enable certain colonies to continue functioning into early winter and produce new queens earlier than usual.

Ongoing concerns

Despite the increase in late-season sightings, bee populations continue to face significant pressures from habitat loss, agricultural intensification and climate change.

The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust said ensuring nectar is available throughout the year is vital: “Having some early and some late flowers in your planting mix will prolong the nectar season for bumblebees.”

Residents are being encouraged to report winter sightings, offering valuable clues about how Hampshire’s bee populations are responding to a changing climate.

More information regarding the changes in local wildlife in Hampshire this winter, check out The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust website.