Bognor defeat triggers changes at Silverlake.

It was a bad day for Eastleigh as their leading striker of the late 1990s Brian "Pasty" Green passed away having been ill with leukaemia, and they also suffered their most comprehensive defeat of the season, when Bognor scored four goals without reply, writes Malcolm Clarke.

One bit of good news for Eastleigh was the fact that long term injury victim Steve Forbes played a reserve game, and it is hoped he will soon be in contention for a return to first team action.

Bognor, managed by Jack Pearce who incredibly has been manager there for over 30 years, were just below mid-table, even though they have some good forwards notably Robbie Nightingale formerly of Portsmouth, and were not in great form themselves. However on Saturday they took full advantage of Eastleigh's inadequacies.

Chris Collins and Robbie Marshall had to go off injured against AFC Wimbledon, and Steve West was paired at centre back initially with Andy Forbes, although Forbes went up front for the second half. With David Hughes also out suspended Jack Smith and Liam Green were also restored to the starting line up.

Early on Pullen had to tip over a free kick from Stuart Tuck, while at the other end Andy Forbes shot just wide following a free kick. Nightingale had a good chance for Bognor but shot wide, Pullen made a good save from Hudson, while it required a goal-line clearance to deny Nightingale. Eastleigh had a couple of efforts off target, but Bognor looked the better team and they took the lead in the 43rd minute when Watson set up Nightingale.

At half time both teams made changes with Bognor making two substitutions, and with Eastleigh putting Forbes up front, Green at full back and Benali in a more central defensive role. Both teams had attacking moments, but when Dan Beck set up Watson to make it 2-0 the game was effectively over as a contest, and for the next 11 minutes before Bognor scored their third they played some good flowing football and had the Eastleigh defence all at sea. Pullen had made a further save from Hudson, but the third goal came when Nightingale set up Ben Watson for his second and Bognor's third.

After being three goals down Eastleigh introduced Martin Thomas. Ian Oliver and Martin Beck as substitutes. Forbes and Martin Beck had shots saved, although Bognor were always dangerous as an attacking force, and had chances of their own. Towards the end Dan Beck raced clear to complete a 4-0 win for Bognor, who introduced former Eastleigh favourite Charlie Balfe as substitute.

On Saturday Eastleigh are away to Bishops Stortford in the league, and the following Tuesday are at home to Gosport in the Russell Cotes Cup.

Management reshuffle.

The main talking point at Eastleigh football club this week has been the decision of Paul Doswell to hand over team affairs to Jason Dodd with Doswell becoming Director of Football, and former Director of Football, Dave Malone, becoming Managing Director.

Dodd's first game in charge was against VT of the Jewson Wessex League in the Hampshire Senior Cup.

VT are having a good season, and the match had an added spice by the fact that eight of the VT starting line-up and one of the substitutes were former Eastleigh players, most of them having played for Eastleigh under Doswell.

Eastleigh won the game 1-0 with the winner being scored by Andy Forbes in the second period of extra time to reach the quarter-finals of the competitions.

Both teams had chances prior to the goal, with both goalkeepers making good saves in the second period of extra time. To complete an eventful second period of extra time Eastleigh, who played a full strength team, had Jamie Brown sent off.

Steve Forbes was an unused substitute for this game, while Stuart Douglas plays in a reserve match on Saturday, and it is hoped that these two players will soon return to first team action.