The Spitfires return to winning ways, with a commanding performance against Ebbsfleet United the Silverlake Stadium.

After taking an early lead, the Spitfires never looked like losing, with goals from Niall Maher and Jake Taylor doing the business for Eastleigh.

The first shot of the game came in the 10th minute, with Ben Close having a go on the half-volley. His shot was blocked by the Ebbsfleet defence, and was cleared away from danger.

Josh Passley went up the other end less than a minute later, and had Ebbsfleet’s first chance of the day. A free kick was looped into his path, but he couldn’t keep his shot down, as he saw the ball cruise up into the air and over the crossbar.

Chris Maguire came painfully close to giving the Spitfires the lead in the 13th minute. He was found by a cross, and got down low to head the ball towards goal. Mark Cousins saved his effort, and the ball trickled out just on the wrong side of the post.

In the 18th minute, the Spitfires were rewarded for their good start, and took the lead of the game. A free kick was floated into the box, and onto Lloyd Humphries’ head. Humphries headed the ball towards goal, but his effort was going slightly wide. Maher then jumped in and headed the ball on target, and with Cousins not being able to match his effort, the Spitfires opened the scoring.

Ben Close sent a thunderous shot towards goal in the 32nd minute, but saw the ball go just wide of the target, denying him of what would’ve been a wonder goal.

A couple of minutes later, the Spitfires looked set to score again. Richard Brindley whipped a cross into the box which was palmed away by Cousins, straight into the path of Noa Boutin, who was unable to keep his shot down.

The Spitfires would go into the break with a one goal lead over the visitors.

In the 55th minute, Maher put Tyrese Shade through on goal with an impressive pass that split the Ebbsfleet defence. Shade shot, but couldn’t find the corner of the goal, as he saw his shot get dealt with by Cousins.

In an aim to level the scoring, George Moncur drilled a free kick under the Eastleigh wall. Joe McDonnell was ready for it, and handled the effort well.

Just after the hour mark, Jake Taylor doubled the Spitfires’ lead. He found the top corner of the net, scoring his fourth in seven in the process.

Late on, Kwame Thomas had a headed effort on goal, but would see it get comfortably saved my McDonnell.

Shade then went up the other end, and showed his pace, before pulling a shot just wide of the post.

The Spitfires went on to see out the result, earning a clean sheet in the process.

Eastleigh: McDonnell (GK), Brindley (Hodson, 77′), Humphries, Fernandez, Maguire (McCallum, 89′), Taylor (C), Shade, Boutin, Close (Waruih, 83′), Underhill, Maher

Unused subs: Scott (GK), Panter, Ryan

Goals: Maher (18′), Taylor (64′)

Ebbsfleet United: Cousins (GK), Passley, Moncur (Bingham, 84′), Samuel (Cosgrave, 65′), Domi (Carr, 70′), Edser (C), Lankshear, Chapman (Page, 65′), Dallison, Bolger (Thomas, 56′), Stewart

Unused subs: Manktelow, Harriott

Yellow cards: Bolger (17′), Samuel (58′), Page (68′)

Referee: Sam Mulhall

Attendance: 2,090 (45 away)

Report by Matthew Gibbs