8:40am Thursday 8th October 2009
Having won all nine of their Hampshire Senior Cup ties against Wessex League opposition since becoming a Blue Square South club, Eastleigh were beaten 2-1 after extra time by Sydenhams outfit Christchurch on Tuesday night.
With an important FA Cup tie against Basingstoke on Saturday, Eastleigh played regular first-team substitutes Ian Oliver and Trevor Challis but generally fielded an experimental team, with 45-year-old manager Ian Baird and physiotherapist Andy Cook forced to start because of the club’s long injury list. They fielded Sam Doswell, son of Andy and nephew of Paul, but their hopes of giving Brett Williams a run-out were dashed when it was confirmed that he had not returned to the club in time from his loan.
Explaining the reasons for Eastleigh’s severely weakened team, director of football David Malone said: “We’ve got so many injuries that we couldn’t afford to risk any of our recognised starting 11.
“We felt it was better to put a patched-up team out than do what some clubs might have done and withdrawn from the competition.
“Obviously we go into every game trying to win it and, considering the team we put out tonight, we did remarkably well.
“We’re not happy to be out of the competition, but we’re not surprised either. Everyone worked hard – and good luck to Christchurch in the next round.”
Things did, though, start brightly for Eastleigh who went ahead in the fourth minute when Catmano set up Brookes.
It required a goal-line clearance to keep out Taylor’s effort for Christchurch, while the experienced Kearn in the Christchurch goal had to tip over from Perry Mullins as Eastleigh went into half-time with a 1-0 lead.
Early in the second half Loader, in the Eastleigh, goal had to dive at the feet of Osborne to save.
Smith then rounded the Eastleigh goalkeeper, but the visitors’ defence were able to clear.
Eastleigh, though, were under the cosh and it was no surprise when in the 71st minute Smith bought the scores level.
Loader made an excellent save from Crutchley, and Smith shot narrowly wide as Christchurch continued to press. However, early in the second period of extra time, substitute Hatch set up fellow sub Lawrence for what proved to be the winner and after that Eastleigh did not look like scoring.
The crowd of 63 contrasted with the fact that three of Eastleigh’s last four league games have produced four figure attendances.
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