Spitfires grounded by Clay-shooting

THE Magpies turned in a commanding defensive display at the Silverlake Stadium to carve out their first Blue Square South win since the opening day and in turn end Eastleigh’s unbeaten home record.

And the win, courtesy of a Danny Clay strike, proved crucial as results elsewhere meant that any other outcome would have seen Dorchester end the evening in the relegation zone.

As it was, the well-earned three points took the Magpies up one place above Newport County into 17th position.

Striker Jamie Mudge was replaced in the starting line-up by Darren Watts while fit-again Gareth Stewart took over from teenager Regan Coward in between the sticks.

Former Magpies Jamie Brown and Matt Groves spear-headed the Spitfires’ attack but were largely kept at bay by the hard-working Dorchester defence in which Gary Bowles gave an outstanding performance marred only by a late booking picked up for dissent.

Also included in the Eastleigh side were former Weymouth stars Trevor Challis, Tony Taggart and keeper Jason Matthews.

It was Groves who produced the first attempt in a quiet first half but his shot on the turn deflected away from goal.

Brown was next to make his mark with a late challenge on Jake Smeeton in the seventh minute which went unpunished and shortly after saw the Dorchester left-back limp off injured to be replaced by Ronayne Marsh-Brown.

A minute after his introduction, Marsh-Brown was shown the yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Taggart but Stewart was well-placed to intercept Warren Goodhind’s free-kick.

Dorchester’s first and only goal attempt before the break came in the 20th minute when a ball across the box from Marsh-Brown found Wes Fogden who curled his shot from 12 yards just wide of the far post.

At the other end, Peter Adeniyi’s firm drive was blocked by Bowles and although Brown netted in the ensuing melee, the whistle had already blown for a Dorchester free-kick.

The first corner of the match followed in the 31st minute when Eastleigh’s Matt Bodkin found Luke Byles who headed over from close range.

A foul by Clay on Brown conceded a free-kick 18 yards out but Stewart saved Bodkin’s effort at the second attempt after initially parrying.

The Magpies were quickest off the starting blocks in the second half and nearly opened the scoring in the 56th minute when Nick Crittenden’s cross was met by Jamie Gleeson who headed back into the six-yard box where Fogden scooped the ball over the bar.

Groves flashed a shot wide from 20 yards at the other end before the deadlock was broken by the visitors.

A foul on Crittenden by former Weymouth team-mate Challis conceded the 58th minute free-kick which was taken near the right corner flag by Gleeson deep to the far post.

Ryan Moss headed back into the six-yard box where Matthews was unable to prevent Clay driving the ball over the line from close range.

The Spitfires replaced Brown with Andy Forbes and from a Bodkin centre, the substitute sent a powerful header crashing against the foot of a post.

The ball rebounded against Stewart and out for a corner which was taken by Bodkin and again met by Forbes who headed wide at the far post.

Eastleigh were finding the Dorchester defence at their resilient best but let their own defences slip on several occasions as they pushed for the equaliser.

The Magpies won their only corner in the 73rd minute but Kevin Hill’s looping header was saved by Matthews.

A foul on Fogden then gifted Dorchester a free-kick but Crittenden’s effort was blocked while another Crittenden shot was saved by Matthews at his near post.

Then, in the closing minutes, Byles twice headed off target for Eastleigh while deep in stoppage time, Fogden sent Moss haring towards goal only for the former Bashley forward to drag his shot wide of the far post.

Eastleigh: Matthews, Goodhind, Challis (Roberts 78), Riviere, Jordan, Byles, Adeniyi, Taggart, Groves, Brown (Forbes 61), Bodkin. Subs not used: Martin, Howells, Davies.

Dorchester: Stewart, Jermyn, Smeeton (Marsh-Brown 16), Clay, Bowles, Hill, Crittenden, Watts, Moss, Fogden, Gleeson. Subs not used: Liburd, Peprah-Annan, Browne, Coward.

EASTLEIGH DORCHESTER

Total attempts 10 6

Attempts on target 3 3

Attempts off target 6 3

Woodwork 1 0

Corners 5 1

Offside 1 6

Free-kicks conceded 14 18

Referee: Carl Brook (St Leonards)

Bookings: Eastleigh – Byles (foul, 59).

Dorchester – Marsh-Brown (foul, 17), Gleeson (foul, 74), Moss (kicking ball away, 87), Bowles (dissent)

Attendance: 392