It’s the first of a double-header at the Kuflink Stadium this week as the Fleet host Eastleigh under the lights in the slightly unfamiliar scheduling of a Wednesday night.
Form guide
Despite sitting in mid-table in the National League, the Spitfires have failed to pick up a win since their match against Rochdale towards the end of September – nine matches. Their most recent fixture against Wealdstone which saw them take the lead but it ended in a 1-1 draw to extend the winless run. Eastleigh had got off to a great start this season, winning their first four, but recent form has seen them slide towards the middle of the pack.
Head to head
Last season’s visit here for Eastleigh ended in the Fleet romping to a 3-0 victory with Bryant Bilongo, Rakish Bingham and Luke O’Neill on the scoresheet, a result which ended Richard Hill’s spell as Spitfires manager.
That wasn’t the only time in recent years the Fleet scored three against Eastleigh, with 2018 resulting in a cut and copy scoreline when Michael Cheek, Danny Kedwell and Corey Whitely scored.
This is the 14th meeting of the clubs, the eighth at home where Eastleigh have yet to win.
Who’s who
Joe McDonnell arrived in 2020/21 from Notts County and he has since made over 200 appearances for the Spitfires between the posts. He also has EFL experience with AFC Wimbledon, where he played for five and a half years before his move to the Magpies.
Scott Maguire signed for the Spitfires ahead of last season and became a regular starter. Maguire racked up 22 goal contributions in the 47 appearances in his debut season. The 35-year-old has made over 600 senior appearances and has played for the likes of Lincoln City, Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock. He has won this division with Barrow and Stockport County.
Prolific and experienced striker Paul McCallum is in his second spell at the club and was the division’s Golden Boot winner last season. This season he has nine goals to his name.
The manager
Kelvin Davis was appointed as Eastleigh boss following the departure of Hill in February. The former goalkeeper made over 600 appearances as a player at various clubs including Luton Town, Wimbledon and Southampton. Retiring in 2016, he started out as first-team coach for the Saints and was there until 2022.
