Staines Town 0, Eastleigh 1
MARTIN BECK'S 72nd minute strike was enough to give Eastleigh all three points in a fiercely contested match last Saturday at Wheatsheaf Park.
It was the home side's fifth successive defeat, but they approached the game in a determined mood. In the last ten minutes, they piled on the pressure but Eastleigh survived with Colin Matthews making an instinctive one-handed save in the dying seconds.
Eastleigh made just one change from the previous match, Martin Beck replacing James Stokoe, who was relegated to the bench. They could name only three substitutes due to the continuing injury crisis.
With just 15 seconds on the clock Nicky Banger side-footed a shot against the bar from close range. The visitors continued their forward momentum with David Hughes, Martin Thomas and Danny Smith dominating the midfield area. But the swirling wind made accurate crossing difficult and the Staines defence looked comfortable.
The home side gradually worked their way back into the game, but Colin Matthews dealt comfortably with no more than a couple of goalscoring opportunities as half-time arrived goal-less.
The first 25 minutes of the second period remained evenly balanced with Staines, the wind at their backs, creating the better chances. An injury to Ryan Ashford on 62 minutes led to a reorganisation of the Eastleigh formation with James Stokoe coming on to partner Nicky Banger up front. But the partnership lasted just four minutes before Banger, struggling with a back injury, was replaced by Stewart Beck.
The pivotal moment in the game came on 72 minutes when Stokoe played the ball to Martin Beck on the edge of the box and his first time shot flew into the net via the outstretched hand of the keeper. Beck's involvement lasted just another seven minutes before a heavy challenge ended his good morning's work.
A further reorganisation to the Eastleigh team gave Staines a foothold back in the game and they began piling forward looking for the equaliser. Former Saints striker Craig Maskell was sent on and the final ten minutes brought Colin Matthews centre-stage. But the giant custodian was at his best in halting a series of attacks. One final flash of brilliance from him saved the three point haul when he dived full length to palm a close range shot round the post.
Eastleigh: Matthews, Wyeth, Ashford, Thomas, Bright, Marshall, Smith, Hughes. M Beck, Banger, Warren. Subs: S Beck, Lewis, Stokoe.
Yeading 3, Eastleigh 2
Eastleigh fought back after conceding two goals in the opening eight minutes at Yeading on Tuesday night, but they were unable to take anything from the match.
Utility player John Mulhern, on loan from Farnborough, made his debut while Chris Collins made a welcome return after a lengthy absence. But Eastleigh were rocked by a goal after just three minutes and went two down soon after.
The home side continued to swarm round Matthews' goalmouth and could well have scored several more. But relief came after 16 minutes when Nicky Banger was pulled down in an Eastleigh breakaway and he duly converted the penalty.
Yeading scored a third after 33 minutes when Protain fired a low shot past Matthews, but Eastleigh hit back when David Hughes set up Martin Thomas for their second goal.
Paul Doswell reorganised his defence at half-time, and Eastleigh seldom looked like conceding another goal. But it was at the cost of their attacking game.
"Yeading are the best team we've played this season and they thoroughly deserved to take the points," he said.
Jamie Glasson will not now be joining Eastleigh on a month's loan. An ankle injury sustained in a training session has led to the cancellation of Doswell's arrangement with Kidderminster Harriers.
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