Eastleigh took the three points after Fleet proved to be their own worst enemy with an error gifting Spitfires striker Scott Quigley what proved to be the winner an hour into this one.

The hosts made three changes with a return for Luke O’Neill followed by inclusions for Franklin Domi and Rakish Bingham, with Todd Kane, Jim Kellermann and the injured Kwame Thomas making way.

The opening stages of the match saw the visitors start on the front foot showing plenty of threat up top. Paul McCallum had an early chance which forced Mark Cousins to come off his line to see it behind for one of numerous corners in the opening period. Another ball into the box took several touches before Josh Wright got a foot on it to clear it from under the bar and off the line.

Quigley found himself one on one with Cousins as the visitors continued to attack but with less intent than earlier and Cousins had to make another stop.

There were appeals for a penalty when Fleet got going and Jephte Tanga wriggled through before hitting the ground but the referee signalled play to continue.

Aaron Cosgrave had the first solid chance of the match for the Fleet in the 20th minute with a low shot towards the corner that Joe McDonnell got down to. Bingham then found himself through on goal from O’Neill’s long ball forward but McDonnell again claimed that.

A lengthy pause in play saw Eastleigh’s Jake Vokins stretchered off before Bingham turned and fired a shot goalwards. Tyler Cordner then drew a comfortable save from McDonnell on the stroke of half-time.

Cousins tipped a ball across goal behind as Eastleigh came out after the break to force a few more set pieces, although it was from one of their own that Fleet created the next chance. Tanga was well placed to hit a volley just wide after a long throw had been half-cleared out to him but then came Eastleigh’s goal.

It was a mistake at the back as Cousins looked to pass the ball wide but succeeded only in finding Quigley who steadied himself before finding space in the open goal to fire home. 

Substitute Kane’s solo effort after that might have got Fleet straight back into it and Wright fired a good effort with power behind it but that one was off target. Eastleigh succeeded in winding the clock down – indeed the restart after their goal took three minutes – but just five were added on as Fleet chased the game but couldn’t find an equaliser.

Substitute Maxx Manktelow made his league debut from the bench after previous outings in the Kent Senior and National League Cups.

EUFC: Cousins, O’Neill (Kane 62), Stewart, Cordner, Chapman, Domi (Dallison 46), Wright, Edser, Tanga (Manktelow 82), Bingham, Cosgrave (Poleon 73). Subs: Fonguck, Wakely, Berry
EFC: McDonnell, Vokins (Gape 29, Fernandez 78), Maher, Francillette, Humphries, Wariuh, Boutin, Taylor, Shade (Maguire 78), Quigley, McCallum (Brindley 63). Subs: Scott, Stepien-Iwumene, Underhill
Attendance: 1,023 (35 away)
Photos: EUFC/Dave Plumb

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