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Boro traveled to Hampshire following the ‘heroics’ at The Dripping Pan’ looking to beat Eastleigh for the 1st time. Scott Ramsay did not appear on the bench and Nathan Crabb served the last match of his suspension. Damian Scannell made his farewell appearance for ‘The Spitfires’ before making a move into league football; and the No.11 was to have an impressive game.
The early exchanges were fairly even; Allan Tait scuffing a shot at Ross Kitteridge in the 1st minute, Eastleigh forcing 2 committed blocks from the Boro back-four on 12 minutes. Ben Austin was to have a commanding performance at centre-back and his decisive tackle on Scannell on a quarter of an hour surely prevented the opening score. Andy Atkin rose to meet a Jay Lovett cross, unable to reach full height as his shirt was almost pulled from his back his header was wide of the mark.
The home side slowly began to dominate the opening 45 minutes; Scannell’s runs forcing Boro to defend. On 27 minutes Neil Jenkins, for the 2nd game running, was well positioned to defend corners, and cleared 2 successive strikes off the line to maintain the 0-0 score line. Andy Forbes steered a close range near post header past the post and Tait, set-up by Paul Armstrong, also missed the target as the half drew to a close. With the sides looking forward to the break Boro ended with a flourish. Atkin cleverly flicked the ball towards the top right-hand corner on 44 minutes; Kiiteridge forced into a flying save, before Matt Crabb’s low shot almost squirmed under the keeper as the final action of the half.
Boro started the 2nd half with greater pace and purpose but as per Lewes a Boro opportunity to score led to conceding. Pat Hardings excellent strike struck the right-hand post before being cleared up field by Eastleigh. Scannell’s excellent run finished with a delivery from the bye-line, Forbes heading in off the far post for 1-0 ‘The Spitfires’.
The response from the Boro bench was immediate. Adam Wilde replaced Crabb and for the 2nd match running this change would be the catalyst for a ‘Sports’ comeback. On 65 minutes Austin charged through the heart of the home midfield. His pass found Tait who in turn spread the ball wide right to Harding. Pat’s low driven cross was met by Atkin, forcing his way past his marker, to turn the ball into the net for 1-1. Eastleigh were then hit with a sucker punch as 2 minutes later another move at pace allowed Wilde to find Tait in the 18 yrad box. The Boro No.10 eased his way past his marker and roll the ball into the bottom
left-hand corner for Boro’s 2nd and the winner.
Boro were now very much on top and Wilde running amuck. His right-wing cross was met by Tait on the half-hour but the effort was wide, and he created his own chance turning Adam Everitt inside out before blasting over from a tight angle. Matt Hann tested Lee Hook 10 minutes from the end but in truth the result was never in doubt once ‘The Sports’ took the lead.
Match Details - Webmaster.
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