Valiant effort in FA Youth Cup defeat

Swindon Town Youth 4 Eastleigh Youth 1


Eastleigh: Toomer, Longman, Blaxall, Lane, Nicholas, Mason, Mullins (Milburn 60), Wiltshire (Crook 60), Easton, White, Mattan (Hall 90) Unused subs Webb and Cozens.

Report by Ray Murphy


Eastleigh were swept aside by Puma Youth League Football Alliance side Swindon Town in this First Round F A Youth Cup tie. The same side had scored four goals at A FC Bournemouth three days earlier with the same scorers on the night as that day, with two apiece for Jamie Taylor and Lloyd Macklin.

It was a credited performance though for Eastleigh against a side recording their twelfth successive victory. Eastleigh showed a bit of naivety in their defending against a side that were highly dangerous with the blistering pace of Macklin, a winger who also possessed the quality of being able to cross the ball whilst on his run. In addition to this the majority of the Swindon side managed by ex-Welsh international Paul Bodin, were second year professionals whereas Eastleigh had four sixteen-year-olds in their starting eleven.

The warnings came very early for Eastleigh as the pacey Macklin got behind Aaron Blaxall after only four minutes before placing the ball past Eastleigh goalkeeper Freddie Toomer for the opening goal. The quick breakaways by the Swindon side with their neat one touch football caused Eastleigh problems all evening. Two minutes after the opening goal Macklin was again in behind the Eastleigh rearguard but Toomer was off his line to recover the situation.

Taylor, Danny Wallington and Billy Bodin all had opportunities that they spurned for the home side whilst Alex Easton was denied at the opposite end by Mark Scott. It came as no real surprise when Macklin added his second goal of the evening after thirty two minutes following good work from the equally impressive Taylor. Macklin then slipping past two defenders before shooting home.

Eight minutes into the second period Taylor turned to goalscorer following neat control, and a deft finish whilst three minutes later the same player added his second tapping home Mark Hartmann's corner. Macklin picked up a knock with twenty minutes remaining and Eastleigh were relieved at the absence of the winger.

In the final minute Eastleigh scored a consolation, following the award of a penalty for a handball decision. Chris Mason slotted home at the second attempt after his initial effort was saved by Scott in the Swindon goal, referee Simon Maynard decided on a retake of the spot kick for encroachment.

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