After his 2 goals at the weekend Ben S won himself a place in today's starting line up on the left of a 3 - 5 - 2 formation but Winchester couldn't start the way they finished on Sunday. The game was end to end but with no real threat and it took a good 10 minutes to settle down before Jack ran onto a through ball from Zak to force a corner from which Ben S headed just over the bar.
Eastleigh looked far more dangerous upfront today and a fast break left them 1 on 1 with Ty but he was fast and strong enough to clear the danger. Ace was working hard in midfield winning a number of crunching tackles but it was Danny K who was left to clear off the line twice before Winchester decided to switch back to playing 4 - 4 - 2 and slowly started to win back control of the game.
Another Eastleigh break was stopped by Ace and he released Jamie down the right. He beat the defender and swung in a great cross for Ben S to hit first time and force a fine save out of the keeper. Ben S then rose high at the far post to head just over the bar. Winchester were piling on the pressure and a Steve shot was deflected wide and a first time shot from Zak whistled just over the bar.
Eastleigh were still a threat and a free kick from the half way line was collected on the edge of the box by their No 10 and his shot forced a fantastic save out of Sam. Ace and Jamie combined well again to find Jack in space and his shot deflected for another corner but this time it was Karl's header that went just wide.
At the start of the second half it was nip and tuck. First Jamie shot wide one end then Eastleigh forced a corner the other but again it was Winchester who settled first. A sweeping move from Zak to Ben S to Jamie forced another Winchester corner and from the clearnace David was brought down for a free kick. Danny K fired in a fantastic cross that was flicked on by Karl for Jamie to smash in at the far post to make it 1- 0.
From the restart Winchester continued to press. Great interplay between Steve, Jamie and David forced another corner from which Steve had his shot blocked and Zak's shot went wide. Zak and David then made way for Mitch and Tom (making his debut). Tom immediately made an impact with a great tackle that released Ty down the right. After a superb one two with Jamie, Ty crossed and Jack's shot is blocked back to Steve who heads just over. Jack limps off and Zak is back on upfront.
Eastleigh have to throw caution to the wind but Winchester hold firm with Danny K, Ben S, Tom and Steve all putting in some great tackles but Eastleigh were leaving themselves very open at the back and a great run and cross by Jamie was cleared against Zak to bring another great save out of the keeper. With time running out tempers flared and both Steve and the Eastleigh No 10 picked up yellow cards but there was just enough time left for Tom to cross, Zak flick on and Jamie to put the ball over the bar from 6 yards out!!
Luckily it didn't matter and Winchester ran out 1 - 0 winners.
