A remarkable first half from Eastleigh was enough to see the Spitfires win comfortably against Dorking Wanderers courtesy of four goals evenly shared between Alfie Lloyd and Charlie Carter.
It was the fastest of starts when the Spitfires took the lead inside the opening 20 seconds, a ball forward was latched onto by Alfie Lloyd who dinked it over Dan Lincoln.
A minute later and Eastleigh doubled their lead when Charlie Carter gathered the ball outside the box and angled a low shot in off the post to double the host’s lead.
In the 12th minute, Charlie Carter went on a good run before hitting an effort that bounced off of the foot of the post.
Less than a minute later, a good cross came in from Alfie Lloyd and Charlie Carter was there to head into the far corner and extend their lead.
The Spitfires had the chance to make it four when Alfie Lloyd received the ball and shot on the turn but Lincoln was there to deny him.
Just past the half hour mark, Danny Whitehall brought Rutherford’s cross down and volleyed a powerful effort towards goal that needed dealing with by Lincoln.
With just under five minutes from the break, a cross was delivered and Alfie Lloyd met it with a stooping head at the back post to get his second of the game and extend the Spitfires’ lead to four.
Eastleigh went into the break four goals to the good and looking comfortable.
The first chance of the second half came just after the hour mark when Corey Panter cut back to Whitehall whose shot had plenty of power but lacked direction.
The visitors had a chance five minutes later.
Bobby Joe-Taylor laid it off for Gallagher who fired his attempt well over the bar.
Five minutes later, Nigel Atangana got forward from the back, poked a through ball in for Whitehall who was one-on-one with Lincoln but took a heavy first touch and the opportunity was squandered.
It was a dreamy start to 2023 for Eastleigh as they took all three points from the visiting Surrey side.