Eastleigh v Boreham Wood - Match Preview

Match Preview by Kieran James

Ian Baird’s Spitfires moved up to twelfth in the Blue Square Bet South last Saturday after a 3-2 win to Thurrock at The Silverlake Stadium.

Damien Scannell returned to the Silverlake Stadium after nearly four years departing from Eastleigh to Southend United for £5,000.

Scannell started lively and set up Graeme Montgomery for a wonderful chance to put Eastleigh 1-0 up with just three minutes played, however the on-loan Aldershot Town winger fired high over the bar.

Montgomery redeemed himself twenty-five minutes later when he netted a fantastic half volley, which was too powerful for Craig Holloway to keep out despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to the effort.

Billy Tsovolos, who had to fill in for the absent Ali Fuseini (who no one has seen since last Tuesday), put Eastleigh 2-0 up after the central midfielder raced into the penalty area and blasted an eight-yard strike into the back of the net.

Jamie Brown extended Eastleigh's advantage to three goals up four minutes later after the striker turned his marker and finished with a superb strike.

The game looked all but over until last placed Thurrock had a bit of magic in Nathan Ashton who scored an unstoppable strike eight minutes from time.

Michael Green then fouled a Thurrock player in the penalty area and Jamie Guy put the visitors one goal away from a point.

The Spitfires saw out the last couple of minutes and claimed all three points much to the Eastleigh fans delight. Eastleigh now play tenth-placed Boreham Wood at The Silverlake Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick off) as they try to overtake The Wood in the league.

Boreham Wood’s last game was in The FA Trophy first round where they hosted Blue Square Bet Premier outfit Cambridge United and lost 0-1 at Meadow Park.

The Wood have not played a league game in three weeks, their last of which was away to Basingstoke Town. The match finished 1-1 with Luke Garrard scoring Boreham Wood’s only goal.

Sam Lechmere’s corner was swung in only for it to be half cleared, the ball got crossed in again for Garrard to srike home from ten yards.

The Wood have only won two games away this season in the league against Dorchester and Hampton and Richmond both being 0-1 results.

Boreham Wood have only scored seven goals on the road this season out of ten games, having lost five games in total away in the league this season.

The last time these two teams met was at Meadow Park where The Spitfires lost 2-1 with Jamie Slabber scoring his twenty seventh goal of the 2010/11 season and Eastleigh’s only goal in that match where a brace from Mario Noto secured The Wood three points on that occasion.

The last time these two teams met at The Silverlake Stadium, The Spitfires won 3-0 and claimed all three points on that occasion.

Tony Taggart (now at Sutton United) opened the scoring with just thirty seconds played, the winger headed home a Richard Graham (now at Dartford) cross.

Jamie Slabber then set up Richard Gillespie with a great lobbed pass and the now Bashley loanee made no mistake with the finish.

Chris Holland (now at Havant & Waterlooville) then headed in a powerful header after Tony Taggart picked out his man with a great cross which was enough to secure Eastleigh the victory.

Eastleigh director of football Dave Malone announced last night on the fans forum the capture of AFC Bournemouth defender Mitchell Nelson.

This is a great addition to the squad for Saturday as the defender has only just come back from Blue Square Bet Premier side Lincoln City on loan and has made twelve appearances for Bournemouth this season in League One.

The former Colchester trainee has had spells with Cambridge United, Lewes, Eastbourne Borough and Tooting & Mitcham where the 22-year-old first started his career.

This is going to be a great game to watch so come on down to The Silverlake Stadium on Saturday and roar on those Spitfires!

COME ON YOU SPITFIRES!

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