Three goals in the first-half, and four in the second see the Spitfires’ Premier League opposition win at the Silverlake Stadium.

Despite the scoreline, a second-half strike from Scott Quigley gave the home fans something to cheer about.

Adam Armstrong came close to opening the scoring just a minute in. Samuel Edozie chopped in towards the box from the left wing before sliding the ball into his path, but the Saints striker could not find the target and saw his shot fly just wide of the mark.

The same man then had another crack at the whip just four minutes later. He was slipped through on goal and attempted to dink the ball over Joe McDonnell, his right footed effort was matched by the Spitfires ‘keeper and pushed away from danger.

In the seventh minute, Armstrong had another go on goal and made no mistake this time round. The ball was squared to him on the edge of the six-yard box, which gave him the chance to strike the ball into the bottom left corner to give the visitors the lead.

Six minutes later, Will Smallbone attempted to extend the Saints’ lead. He tried to find the target from just outside the box, but he couldn’t keep his shot down and it flew over the crossbar.

Armstrong went on to extend the visitors lead in the 17th minute, he ran onto the end of a through ball leaving him one-on-one with McDonnell. He went on to hit the ball across goal and into the bottom left corner.

Following this, Chris Maguire attempted to catch Alex McCarthy out and shot right from the kick-off. His shot was on target but the Saints ‘keeper managed to scramble back just in time to deny him.

Neither side managed to create any real chances again up until the 36th minute. Armstrong again, found himself through on goal. When the time came for him to pick his spot, he fired his shot straight at McDonnell.

Smallbone then added a third to the visitors tally in the 39th minute. He saw his low driven shot go beyond McDonnell and into the back of the net, extending the Premier League sides lead.

The Spitfires had a few half-chances in the minutes that followed before the half-time whistle was blown, but none of them resulted in anything major.

Southampton came out for the second-half with a new lineup. The Spitfires made four changes of their own, giving the game a new look after the break.

Deja Sotona took down Sam Amo-Ameyaw inside the box just after the break, the referee awarded the hosts a penalty which gave Sekou Mara the chance to extend the visitors lead to four.

Scott Quigley pulled a goal back for the Spitfires just before the hour mark. Sotona whipped a cross into the box that found its way onto the end of the strikers right foot. He fired the ball into the back of the net from close range, which gave the home fans have something to get on their feet for.

Ryan Manning gave the Saints their fifth goal of the evening in the 71st minute. He found the back of the net with a strike from the left side of the six-yard box.

Tyler Dibbling had a pop on goal just a couple of minutes later with an effort from range. His shot was matched well by a diving McDonnell before eventually being cleared.

Yukinari Sugawara made it six for the Saints, with a long range effort that found its way into the bottom left corner.

Mara came close to adding another to their tally, but Tommy Scott denied him with a strong save.

The Premier League side scored their seventh of the night in the 83rd minute, this time with Carlos Alcaraz being the scorer.

Following this, and a period of play round the middle of the park, the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of a tough test for the Spitfires.

Eastleigh: McDonnell (GK) (Scott 75′), Brindley (Fox 75′), Trialist A (Trialist B, 46′), Fernandez (Quigley 46′), Francillette (Colvin 75′), Maguire (Sotona 46′), Taylor (C) (Waruih, 46′), McCallum (Dotse 75′), Shade (Underhill 68′), Nwabuokei (Rogers 68′), Panter (Edmondson 75′)

Goals: Quigley (57′)

Southampton (first-half): McCarthy (GK), Downes, Aribo, Smallbone, Armstrong, Dibling (Robinson, 25′), Edwards (Amo-Ameyaw, 18′), Bree, Merry, Taylor, Edozie

Southampton (second-half): Lis (GK), Manning, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Sugawara, Mara, Robinson, Alcaraz, Charles, Amo-Ameyaw, Dibling

Goals: Armstrong (7′, 17′), Smallbone (39′), Mara (50′), Manning (71′), Sugawara (78′), Alcaraz (83′)

Attendance: 4,929

Report by Matthew Gibbs