Eastleigh FC

By  Wendy Gee   -  IF experience and determination were two of the qualities needed to land the Eastleigh No post, it's no wonder Shaun Wilkinson got the job. The 30-year-old former Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder knows the Conference South like the back of his hand having won it with Weymouth and made the play-offs with Havant & Waterlooville. And the very fact that he orginally joined Eastleigh as player last month shows he does not easily wilt in the face of adversity. "I broke my leg two years ago with Havant and it was such a bad injury that people said I would never play again, but I've got back into it and I'm not retiring just yet," said the Spitfires' new player-coach. "I came to Eastleigh just to help out, but things happen very quickly in football and now I find myself in a position I'm really enjoying. It's nice to be around a good, honest club. "I need a few more games to get my match fitness bac

By  Wendy Gee   -  IAN Baird felt some of the luck that has deserted him as a non-League manager was repaid at Thurrock on Saturday. Heading into the last two minutes of normal time at Ship Lane, the Spitfires were on course for a reasonably satisfactory 1-1 Blue Square Bet South draw. But in a bizarre act of generosity, Thurrock keeper David Hughes saved a Graeme Montgomery shot, stood up and allowed the ball to wriggle out of his hands and into the net. Ecstatic Eastleigh couldn't believe their luck and, to celebrate, they scored again in stoppage time to secure the unlikeliest of 3-1 victories and pull eight points clear of the second-to-bottom hosts. "We were a bit fortunate," admitted Spitfires boss Baird. "It was 1-1 and in the 89th minute their goalkeeper, who only looked like a young boy, went down and saved a Montgomery shot. He had the ball in his hands and I turned away thinking he'd saved it, but then unbelievably he's thrown

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By  Wendy Gee   -  THE only way is Essex for Southampton's under-21 goalkeeper Jack Dovey today. After being named on the bench for Saints' Carling Cup tie at Selhurst Park on Tuesday, Dovey will be hitting the road to Thurrock with Eastleigh in the Blue Square Bet South. The Totton lad, who turned 19 last Sunday, has been signed on a month's loan by the Spitfires in the wake of Monday's calamitous 3-0 defeat at Chelmsford City. Manager Ian Baird branded Eastleigh's defensive decisions "shocking" that night and believes his regular goalkeeper Gareth Barfoot will benefit from the competition provided by the young Saint. Since Eastleigh parted company with ex-Bristol Rovers 'keeper Mike Green after the first game of the season, Barfoot has had no major rival for the number 1 shirt. "Due to the budget, I haven't been able to bring in any genuine competition for Gareth and that's unhealthy for everyone," Baird explained. "All players

Match preview by Kieran James Eastleigh's loan of young goalkeeper Jack Dovey from nPower Championship side Southampton is a boost for Saturday's Blue Square Bet South game away to Thurrock at Ship Lane. It will no doubt give Ian Baird a tough decision whether to keep Gareth Barfoot in goal and adds competition for the number one jersey. The Spitfires were shocked on Monday night when Chelmsford City hit Eastleigh with three good goals in the first twenty minutes. Greg Morgan opened the scoring for the Clarets in the 8th minute with a well taken goal. Four minutes later captain Adam Tann put the home side two goals up with a great header. Aiden Palmer completed the rout with a corner that went straight in off the cross bar. Eastleigh managed to keep the Chelmsford attack out for the rest of the game, however the damage was already done. The Spitfires will try and forget that night when they play the Fleet tomorrow afternoon. Thurrock are the lowest goal sc

We are pleased to confirm that we hope to complete the loan signing today of goalkeeper Jack Dovey from Southampton FC. Assuming the formalities are completed, Jack will join the squad for our game at Thurrock on Saturday (ko 3.00pm). Profile from www.saintsfc.co.uk D.O.B: 23/10/1992 Consistent performer and regular feature of the Under 18s side having appeared as number one for two seasons at that level. Dovey is a Southampton lad through and through who has signed for the club that he has always supported. Hailing from nearby Totton, he joined the Saints set-up in 2003 after being scouted at schoolboy level. After impressing in the Under-21s squad at Saints, Jack made his first appearance in the senior squad when he appeared on the bench for the first team in a Carling Cup Last 16 clash against Crystal Palace in October 2011.

Suburban League Side Eastbourne Borough 3 Eastleigh 3 Eastleigh returned with a point from their Suburban League fixture at Eastbourne Borough. Andrew White gave Eastleigh the lead, which was pegged back by the hosts. Eastbourne then went ahead before Liam Robinson equalised for the Spitfires. It was Eastbourne Borough who again edged in front but substitute Geoff Dunn netted to secure a share of the spoils. Team: Jaime Banasco-Zaragoza, Jamie Blackburn (Luke Davies 80), Callum Casson, Liam Hibberd (Joe Collins 40), Jack Vallis, Will Aimson, Ben Chambers, Ben Wilson, Andrew White, Billy Goddard (Geoff Dunn 80), Liam Robinson. Wyvern Football Combination League side Newport IOW 3 Eastleigh 2 Eastleigh suffered their second Wyvern League defeat of the season, the first since their opening day defeat at Bemerton. Ryan Lewis gave The Spitfires an early lead only for the home side to draw level. Callum Holloway netted again to restore Eastleigh’s advantage but the home side again le

Eastleigh Football Club Fixture List November 2011 FIRST XI   Saturday 5th - Home to Maidenhead United - Blue Square Bet South, 3pm Saturday 12th - away to Farnborough - Blue Square Bet South, 3pm Saturday 19th - Home to Dartford - Blue Square Bet South, 3pm Saturday 26th - FA Challenge Trophy Third Qualifying Round, 3pm (draw to be made Monday 7th November) SUBURBAN LEAGUE SIDE Saturday 5th - away to A F C Wimbledon Reserves - Suburban League Premier ‘A’ Division, 3pm Saturday 12th - Home to Boreham Wood Reserves - Suburban League Premier ‘A’ Division, 3pm Wednesday 16th -  Home to Durley Reserves - Southampton Senior Cup Third Round, 7.30pm Saturday 19th -  away to Tooting & Mitcham United Reserves - Suburban League Premier ‘A’ Division, 3pm Saturday 26th - WYVERN LEAGUE SIDE   Wednesday 9th - away to Go

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Match preview by Kieran James Ian Baird's Spitfires are playing sixth-placed Chelmsford City tonight away in the Blue Square Bet South at the Melbourne Stadium. Eastleigh will come in to this game in good spirits after a fantastic 3-0 league victory over second in the league Welling United on Saturday. On loan Michael Green, from nPower League 2 side Port Vale, made a instant impact on his return to the Silverlake Stadium. The 22-year-old left back had a solid game and opened the scoring with a twenty-yard low drive on goal. With the Wings down to ten men, Ian Herring set up Sam Wilson's second half replacement Jordace Holder-Spooner on a run forward. The ex-Saints academy prospect did very well to set up Richard Gillespie with a fantastic back heel. Gillespie thumped home his first goal of the season with a cool finish. On loan winger Graeme Montgomery, from nPower League 2 side Aldershot Town, then went on a run of his own displaying neat footwork before finding

EASTLEIGH 3-0 WELLING UNITED SATURDAY 22nd OCTOBER 2011 Blue Square Bet South Match report by Jamie Montigue Eastleigh put in a fine display against second-placed Welling United to secure all three points and pick up their fourth league win of the season. The Spitfires had only scored nine goals in twelve games prior to today's important clash against the Wings, but scored three this afternoon, all excellent strikes; to ease their goal scoring worries and pull off an impressive home victory. Michael Green came straight into the starting eleven following his arrival on loan from Port Vale, and put in a man of the match winning performance on his return to the Silverlake Stadium. Green's presence at left back freed up Andy Forbes to play at centre half along side Tom Jordan. Sam Wilson was handed a rare start and worked hard for the team playing his part in the opening goal. The youngster had a couple of chances to score himself in a good display

Eastleigh v Welling United

Leaving Eastleigh is wide man Ryan O’Hara. Signed at the start of the season after impressing during the pre season games, ex Salisbury City winger O’Hara started the opening league match of the campaign but has since been hampered by a hamstring injury and was not able to regain his place in the side when fit. Therefore after only thirteen appearances for Eastleigh, albeit seven from the substitutes bench, Ryan has had his short-term contract with the club cancelled and has signed for Hemel Hempstead Town. The paperwork should have been submitted in time to allow O’Hara to play for his new side in the FA Trophy match at home to Croydon Athletic on Saturday. Arriving from Port Vale on a month’s loan is full back Michael Green. 22-year-old Green was with Eastleigh for a brief spell at the start of the 2009/10 season making five appearances in pre-season scoring one goal before moving on for a fee to AFC Totton. The former Christchurch and New Milton Town player joined Port Vale in

By  Wendy Gee   -  MICHAEL Green is in line to make his Conference South debut for Eastleigh at home to Welling United tomorrow – two years after leaving the Silverlake Stadium. Now a professional with Micky Adams’ Port Vale, the 22-year-old left-back is joining his old club on an initial short-term loan from the npower League Two side. Having learned his trade under Graham Kemp at Brockenhurst and Christchurch, Green moved to Eastleigh in the summer of 2009. But with more experienced players blocking his path into the first team, he joined Southern League neighbours AFC Totton on loan before signing for them permanently in a four-figure deal. He played two outstanding seasons for the Stags and, following trials for Millwall, Wycombe and Reading, Green landed his big pro break with Port Vale during the summer, signing a two-year deal at Vale Park. But he has been limited to just a handful of starts for the Valiants after suffering a hamstring injury in traini

In the Third Round of the Southampton Senior Cup, Eastleigh’s Suburban League side have been drawn at home to Durley Reserves. The game is to be played on or before 19th November, we await confirmation of the date that this tie will be played. Durley Reserves had a bye in the First Round of the competition but scored a 3-1 away victory against Totton & Eling Reserves in the Second Round in which Eastleigh defeated A F C Hiltingbury 5-0. Durley Reserves usually play in the City of Southampton Saturday Football League Senior Division One lying fourth after four games having won two, drawn one and lost one. Saturday Senior Cup: Bush Hill v Michelmersh & Timsbury Eastleigh Reserves v Durley Reserves GE Hamble Reserves v AFC Totton Reserves Hedge End Rangers v Comrades Netley Central Sports v Botley Village (2004) Sholing Reserves v Hedge End Town Sporting Bishops Waltham or Locks Heath v Durley Thornhill HK v AFC Stoneham

Match Preview by Kieran James   Ian Baird's Spitfires will play second-placed Welling United at the Silverlake Stadium on Saturday in the Blue Square Bet South (3pm kick off). Eastleigh suffered a shock defeat last Saturday when Oxford City claimed £7,500 in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round. Oxford were rewarded with a very winnable draw away to Weston-Super-Mare (who beat Havant and Waterlooville), for a place in the FA Cup First Round Proper. Oxford City took the lead when ex-Saint Steve Basham chipped the ball neatly over goalkeeper Gareth Barfoot. Just before half time, Barfoot made ahis second penalty save in as many games in the FA Cup this season, to keep out Basham's spot kick and also save the follow up. Darren Pond doubled City's lead with a powerful strike on goal, only for Jamie Slabber to halve the two-goal deficit with a well taken penalty. Pond scored his second and Oxford's third of the game with a powerful header from a corner to seal the tie in th

We are delighted to confirm that we have agreed with Port Vale FC to sign Michael Green , on an initial short term loan. Many of you will know that Michael spent a short time with the Spitfires, prior to joining AFC Totton and subsequently Port Vale earlier this summer. He has made several first team appearances, and will be a valuable addition to the first team squad. We hope to complete the formalities in time for "Greener" to be available for the home game with Welling on Saturday (ko 3pm) and the away game at Chelmsford on Monday (ko 7.45pm).

There is to be a fans' forum on Monday 31st October from 6:45 p.m . in the clubhouse - the bar will be open. The panel will consist of our Football Manager, Ian Baird and he will be accompanied by the Director of Football, Dave Malone and Chairman, Paul Murray. Following this there is a Wyvern League game vs Poole Town, k.o. 7:45 p.m. Please come along, firstly to take part in the Q&A, then to support the reserves against Poole Town.

By  Wendy Gee   -  MANAGER Ian Baird is urging his players to "stick together" after Eastleigh's season slumped from bad to worse with a premature FA Cup exit against lower league Oxford City at the Silverlake Stadium. The Blue Square Bet South strugglers again counted the cost of missed chances and slip-shod defending as they waved goodbye to a £7,500 pay-out from the FA prize fund following a miserable 3-1 defeat. Ex-Saint Steve Basham was a first-half hero and villian for Oxford, firing his side ahead but then missing the opportunity to put clear daylight between the sides when Gareth Barfoot saved his penalty. Jamie Slabber, the Spitfires' top scorer last season, had better luck from the spot in the 66th minute, but that response was sandwiched between a second-half brace from Oxford's outstanding midfielder Darren Pond who deservedly fired the Evo-Stik Premier high-fliers into today's fourth qualifying round draw. "They took

Following much discussion, Eastleigh FC are pleased to confirm that Shaun Wilkinson has accepted our offer to join our management team as Player/Coach. Shaun is a very experienced player, having previously played at Brighton, Havant & Waterlooville and Weymouth. He suffered a serious injury in 2009 - but is now close to full fitness. As the title suggests, Shaun will combine playing with assisting Manager Ian Baird.

Eastleigh's Under-18s will do battle with local rivals AFC Totton in the FA Youth Cup third qualifying round on Monday (October 17). The winners are scheduled to host Exeter City in the first round proper on Saturday, November 5. Kick off at the Silverlake Stadium on Monday is 7:45pm. Admission is £3 adults, £1 concessions.

By  Wendy Gee   -  EASTLEIGH have seen the last of teenage midfielder/defender Henrik Breimyr - at least for the time being. Having spent the best part two months on loan at the Silverlake Stadium from npower League Two outfit Aldershot Town, the 18-year-old is off to Cyprus to represent Norway in the UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifiers. Breimyr, whose loan is due to end yesterday, was not eligible to face Oxford City in the FA Cup anyway because Aldershot did not want him cup-tied. He will now fly to Cyprus with Norway on Monday ready for games against Cyprus (October 21), Latvia (October 23) and Iceland (October 26). Stavanger-born Breimyr, who has made nine appearances for Eastleigh in the Blue Square Bet South, received his first call-up for Norway towards the end of last season when he featured for their under-18 squad in the Slovakia cup. He played in all four games, including the final against Denmark, and his talents earned him a two-year contra

EASTLEIGH 1-3 OXFORD CITY SATURDAY 15th OCTOBER 2011 FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round Match report by Jamie Montigue EASTLEIGH: Gareth Barfoot, Danny Smith, Andy Forbes, Ian Herring, Tom Jordan (c), Ross Bottomley, Andrew White (Jordace Holder-Spooner 57), Jamie Brown, Jamie Slabber, Richard Gillespie, Graeme Montgomery (Sam Wilson 77). Subs (Not used): Andrew Smallpiece (GK), Billy Tsovolos, Adam Cashin-Murray, Ryan O'Hara, Shaun Wilkinson. Goals: Eastleigh - Jamie Slabber (66). Oxford City - Steve Basham (19), Darren Pond (61, 68). Attendance: 325 Eastleigh crashed out of the FA Cup in the 3rd Qualifying Round for the fourth time in six seasons. Before today’s game, 17-year-old striker Sam Wilson signed a contract in front of the main stand at the Silverlake Stadium with club Secretary Ray Murphy and Chairman Paul Murray. The youngster, who has been attracting interest from Fulham, received a warm round of applause from those in attendance as he put pen to

By Wendy Gee - AFTER spending last Saturday morning scoring two goals for Fulham's academy side, Sam Wilson will be turning his attentions to the FA Cup with Eastleigh this afternoon. The livewire 17-year-old striker will be included in Ian Baird's squad for the visit of Oxford City in the third qualifying round. With Fulham promising to keep tabs on the former Wildern schoolboy between now and the new year, Wilson's challenge is to continue working hard and force his way into the Spitfires' starting XI. "It's been an interesting couple of weeks for Sam at Fulham and now he's got to knuckle down now and force himself into our side," said Baird. "He comes from good stock and the lad's got a good chance, but Fulham can only watch him if he's playing. He needs to get his mind focused on getting into Eastleigh's first team." The Spitfires have a clean bill of health to face a buoyant Oxford side sitting second b

Eastleigh v Oxford City

To balance the other news of the day ( Kevin Braybrook leaving the club ), Eastleigh FC are delighted to announce that the Club have today agreed terms for a new two-year contract with Sam Wilson . Sam has made amazing progress since joining us, and we have every confidence that, under the guidance of manager Ian Baird, he has a very good chance of playing at a much higher level. In the interim, we also look forward to Sam banging in a few goals for us Spitfires! It is our intention to place one or two other of our exciting young prospects under contract in the coming few weeks. More news later!

Match Preview by Kieran James   Ian Baird's Spitfires will try to get in to the hat on Monday for the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round draw and bag themselves £7,500 as they play second placed Evo-Stick Southern Premier League side Oxford City, home at The Silverlake Stadium (3pm kick Off). The City have got off to a flyer this season having won eight of their twelve league games losing only twice (one of which was 6-0 away to AFC Totton) and have won their last four games away. Oxford City have played two rounds of the FA Cup so far this season - against Didcot Town 1-1 where they went on to win the replay 3-0 away. In the next round Oxford came up against Thame Unted (two leagues below Oxford City) where they won 3-1 away. The Spitfires have only played one game to get this far having beaten Cinderford Town 3-1 at home. Some of the first team players were involved in Tuesday's Hampshire Senior Cup game against Aldershot Town including Billy Tsovolos, Jordace Holder-Spo

EASTLEIGH FOOTBALL CLUB - PRESS STATEMENT Eastleigh Football Club can confirm that, with regret, we have today accepted the resignation of First Team Coach - Kevin Braybrook. Kevin has been with the Club since June, when he was initially appointed as Head of Recruitment. Since that time he was promoted to First Team Coach, following the departure of Matt Gray - who subsequently joined Aldershot FC. Kevin has been of invaluable assistance to the Club, particularly in the recruitment and development of our new group of full time players. Unfortunately the other football commitments that Kevin has, have proven to inhibit the amount of time he is able to devote to Eastleigh Football Club. For that honourable reason, Kevin has reluctantly decided to stand down with immediate effect. The Board of Directors and Manager Ian Baird would like to record our thanks and appreciation to Kevin for the hard work and endeavor that he has demonstrated in the time he has worked with us.

Eastleigh FC's Press Officer Malcolm Clarke looks ahead to Saturday's (15th October) FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round tie between the Spitfires and Oxford City, 3pm kick off at the Silverlake Stadium. "I believe that the only competitive match between Eastleigh and Oxford City at first team level was in 1992/93 when the Eastleigh starting line-up was Wheeler, Day, Lisk, Packer, Harrison, Hanley, Kane, Farmiloe, A R Price, A J Price and Doswell. Our goal in a 3-1 defeat was scored by Paul Doswell, the only goal Eastleigh have scored against Oxford City. "One of Oxford City's strikers Steve Basham has scored one goal for Saints in the Premiership, when he scored the second goal in a 2-0 win at Blackburn in 1998/99. Immediately after that game Blackburn parted with their manager Roy Hodgson. "The father and uncle of Eastleigh supporter Steve Gale (sometimes referred to as Steve Blade), are both former Oxford City players, and the club had their best e

By Wendy Gee - Eastleigh will give Fulham first refusal on 17-year-old striker Sam Wilson. After a successful week’s assessment with the Premier League club, the former Wildern schoolboy scored twice on trial for Fulham’s academy side in a 4-1 win over Portsmouth on Saturday. Now, following lengthy talks with the Londoners, Eastleigh have agreed not to allow any other club to jump the queue for the remainder of 2011. Spitfires director of football Dave Malone confirmed: “Fulham were very, very impressed with Sam and they will continue to monitor his progress in the coming months. “We have agreed with Fulham that we will not covet interest in the player from other clubs for a period of time and we will review that situation in the new year.” Wilson’s scoring touch deserted him last night as Eastleigh – without their major senior players – bowed out of the Hampshire FA Senior Cup 4-1 at League Two outfit Aldershot Town. The Spitfires were trailing 2-0 when Wilson w

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On Monday, Eastleigh FC had a long conversation with Fulham FC in respect of Sam Wilson. FFC were very, very impressed with Sam - and they will continue to monitor his progress in the coming months. We have agreed with Fulham that we will not covet interest in the player from other Clubs for a period of time - and review that situation in the New Year. Our supporters will therefore be pleased to know that Sam will now return to the 1st team squad - and is available for selection for our HSC game tonight (Tuesday) against Aldershot (ko 7.45pm).

DEVONSHIRE SCOOPS SEPTEMBER AWARD FOR RED HOT IRON Braintree Town boss Alan Devonshire has been named the Blue Square Bet Premier ‘manager of the month’ for September. The former West Ham star has led his side through the period with a 100% record of six wins from six matches. They have scored 12 goals in the process and conceded just two. The month began with a 1-0 home victory over Lincoln City in front of a bumper four-figure crowd as part of the Non-League Day ground-hop. The Iron are now quoted at just 16/1 to win the title with Blue Square, having been as big as 200/1 before a ball was kicked. Devonshire’s side begin the month of October sitting second in the table. The Blue Square Bet North ‘manager of the month’ for September is Jim Harvey from Stalybridge Celtic. Harvey’s side are chasing local rivals Hyde at the top of the table and produced another unbeaten month. Long journeys to Histon and Bishop’s Stortford produced valuable away wins and their defence has perfo

By Wendy Gee - SAM Wilson brought a ray of sunshine to an otherwise gloomy weekend for Eastleigh. The Spitfires - the lowest scorers in the Blue Square Bet South - paid the price for missed chances in Saturday's 3-0 defeat at south coast rivals Eastbourne Borough which drops them to 19th in the table. But earlier that day manager Ian Baird had watched on-trial Spitfires frontman Sam Wilson score twice for Fulham's academy side in a 4-1 victory over Portsmouth. The West End lad celebrated his 17th birthday with a confident one-on-one finish and a snap shot as he sought to impress ex-Saints Huw Jennings, Fulham's academy director, and Malcolm Elias, who is head of talent identification and recruitment for the Premier League club's academy and is credited with discovering Theo Walcott. Baird said: "Sam scored two and I thought he did very well. I spoke to Huw and Malcolm afterwards and we're waiting to see what's going on. "

EASTBOURNE BOROUGH 3-0 EASTLEIGH SATURDAY 8th OCTOBER 2011 Blue Square Bet South Match report by Ray Murphy Eastleigh fell to their third successive away league defeat, not having found the back of the net in any of them. Maybe the more worrying statistic is that Eastleigh have failed to score in seven of their twelve league games to date. Henrik Breimyr returned to the starting line up having missed the previous weeks win against Cinderford as his parent club Aldershot Town do not want the player cup tied. Breimyr was also celebrating his midweek call up for the Norwegian Under 19 squad. Andrew White also returned to the starting line up following his arrival as a scoring substitute the previous Saturday. The home side started well with Simon Johnson and Eddie Hutchinson orchestrating the midfield whilst the Eastbourne strike partnership of Ben Watson and Gary Hart caused the Eastleigh rearguard all kinds of problems. Eastbourne showed their intentions early on