Eastleigh wrapped up the first week of pre-season with a 0-3 victory against Abbey Rangers, as Ousseynou Cisse, Danny Whitehall, and Michael Kelly got on the scoresheet at The Moor.

Lee Bradbury’s side lined up with two separate XI’s in the first and second half, as the Spitfires placed emphasis on building up fitness levels after a busy return to action during the week.

Young goalkeeper Charlie Philpott was the only player to feature for the full 90 minutes, with a total of seven trialists also getting the chance to impress.

Donning their yellow pre-season kit, Eastleigh were in control from the first whistle as Lyle Simpson had the first opportunity in front of goal – Danny Whitehall nodded the ball into the youngster’s path, but the shot was saved by the ‘keeper.

Trialist B, who played as a left-sided centre back, struck the crossbar with a well-taken free-kick after 13 minutes.

The first goal of pre-season came in the 19th minute, as Ousseynou Cisse opened the scoring.

From a corner, Simpson headed a deep cross back into the penalty area where the towering centre-midfielder was waiting to nod home.

On the half hour mark, Christian Maghoma strode forward from the halfway line and fired a low effort just past the post.

Then, with halftime approaching, Danny Whitehall embarked on a mazy run into the penalty area before being brought down.

The 2021/22 top goalscorer stepped up to convert the penalty and see out the first period with a two-goal lead.

With nine changes at the break, the Spitfires continued their comfortable performance and extended the lead almost instantly.

Brennan Camp had a shot deflected high into the air which dropped into the path of his opposite full-back, Michael Kelly, who volleyed the ball into the back of the net at the far post.

That would prove to be the final goal of the game, despite a handful of further opportunities. Ryan Hill came closest to adding a fourth with a shot that was cleared off the line in the 65th minute.

The full-time whistle was met with a satisfied response from the Spitfires management, with week two of pre-season on the horizon ahead of a trip to Gosport Borough on Saturday, 9th July.

First Half XI: Philpott, Trialist A, Maghoma, Langston, Trialist B, Harper, Cisse, Yang, Hesketh, Simpson, Whitehall

Second Half XI: Philpott, Camp, Willson, Bragg, Trialist B (Trialist F 68′), Kelly, Trialist C, Trialist D, Hill, Trialist E, Trialist A (Trialist G 68′)

Report by Tom Mulholland