Eastleigh bowed out of the Senior Cup on a chilly Monday night at the hands of a slick H&W outfit who had a distinct edge in all departments.
Havant & Waterlooville 3, Eastleigh 1
The Conference 2 South side were a fraction quicker in movement and thought all over the pitch, while Eastleigh were hampered by the absence of all their regular strikers - Nicky Banger, James Stokoe, Paul Sales and Andy Forbes.
The hosts rammed home that point in the 7th minute, when the Eastleigh defence parted to allow Gavin Holligan a clear run into the visitors' territory. He fed Dave Town, who was forced wide by keeper Colin Matthews, but still managed to get a cross to the far post. Southampton-based striker James Taylor acrobatically hooked the ball back across goal and in at the far post.
With Eastleigh struggling to make any kind of impact up front the outcome already seemed assured, but the Hawks had to wait until the second half to strike again.
Taylor was again the man on target, heading home after a concerted spell of pressure orchestrated by Town.
Taylor turned provider ten minutes from time with a header across goal for Town to power in at the far post and make it 3-nil.
Eastleigh's best spell of attacking play came right at the end. Sub Stewart Beck shot wide after getting free in the centre, while brother Martin had another shot deflected over the bar.
From the resulting corner, the eagle-eyed referee detected pushing in the box, and Martin Beck smashed home the resulting penalty in style - but that was scant consolation for an Eastleigh side that had rarely threatened an upset.
Eastleigh 4, Northwood 2
Eastleigh's god run of Rymans Premier League form continued last Saturday when they beat third-placed Northwood at the Sparshatts Stadium, hoisting themselves up to fourth in the process.
Eastleigh surged into a 3-nil in 25 minutes lead through Christer Warren, Danny Smith and a Johnny Moore own-goal. Steve Hale pulled it back to 3-1, but Tyronne Bowers restored the three-goal cushion from outside the area right on the stroke of half-time.
Dean Clark - who also had a penalty saved - gave Northwood a late glimmer of hope, but Eastleigh hung on to pocket three very handy points.
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