EASTLEIGH boss Ian Baird does not believe that last week’s upheavals at Dorchester Town had any great bearing on the Spitfires’ 4-0 romp at Jewson Stadium.

After taking the lead through Anthony Riviere’s deflected 25-yard strike just after the half-hour, Eastleigh increased their advantage seconds before the interval when keeper Gareth Stewart’s weak punch from Tony Taggart’s corner fell for teenage defender Aaron Martin to tap home his second goal in as many games.

Martin’s central defensive partner Tom Jordan – also a scorer against Bath City last Tuesday – then doubled his week’s tally in the 49th minute, heading home after Martin had knocked Ashley Carew’s corner back across goal.

And Dorchester’s misery was complete with 12 minutes remaining when ex-Magpie Matt Groves – scorer of 137 goals in 393 Dorch appearances – turned in his ninth of the season after good work from midfielders Peter Adeniyi and Riviere.

The result was hardly surprising given that Dorchester had been thrown into disarray last week by the resignations of manager Shaun Brooks and ex-Saints academy/women’s coach John Donoghue – plus the release of Roy O’Brien, Patrece Liburd and ex-Salisbury midfielder Danny Clay from the playing staff.

But Baird felt the game was made “no easier” by all the comings and goings which left senior Magpies players Stewart, Mark Jermyn and skipper Kevin Hill to take charge.

“Dorchester were the better side in the first half and we were a bit fortunate to go 2-0 up,” he confessed. “But in the second half we came out and scored quickly and they gave up a bit after that and it could have been five or six.”

After a crazy week at Dorchester, it’s believed that axed players Clay and O’Brien will be given a chance to rejoin the crisis-hit club.

But former Brighton midfielder Wes Fogden is rumoured to be moving to Havant & Waterlooville today and both Jamie Mudge and Nick Crittenden could leave.

Asked if he would be moving in for any Dorchester players, Baird shrugged: “We can’t afford them.

“There’s a couple I’ve enquired about previously, but Dorchester are in this situation because they’ve been paying a lot of money.”

Baird, meanwhile, has competition from Blue Square Premier outfit Stevenage Borough for Brighton & Hove Albion striker Jonny Dixon, who is currently on loan with the Spitfires.

Eastleigh had been keen to extend the loan until the end of the season, but Baird confirmed: “I spoke to (Brighton boss) Mickey Adams yesterday morning and Stevenage have made an offer for him.”

Dixon has missed the last two Eastleigh games with a twisted ankle, but has done enough to impress Baird.

“We brought him here to replace the injured Andy Forbes and he’s been decent,” said the ex-Saint.

“He’s got a good pedigree and the fact that Stevenage have offered him a deal speaks for itself.”

Provided Dixon remains an Eastleigh player, he will be fit for tomorrow’s home game against St Albans City. A win or a draw would lift the Spitfires third in the Blue Square South.

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