- Evans (2')
- Armstrong (45')
- Archer (75')
The Spitfires’ 2025/26 pre-season begins as we host Championship-side Southampton at the Silverlake Stadium on Saturday 12th July 2025, with a kick-off time of 3pm.
Eastleigh:
Eastleigh fans return to the Silverlake Stadium for the first time since a 2-0 defeat to York ended last season. The result capped off Kelvin Davis’ first full campaign in charge, with the Spitfires finishing 13th in the National League on 58 points.
Over the summer, Davis has strengthened the squad with five new signings. Defender Temi Eweka and striker Aaron Blair both arrive from Maidstone, with Blair contributing 29 goals and assists last season. Experienced goalkeeper Nick Townsend joins from Newport County, while midfielder Kieron Evans signs after leaving Cardiff City. The most recent addition is Bournemouth loanee Archie Harris, son of former Eastleigh player Andy Harris.
Today’s match is the first of five pre-season fixtures, with the next outing away at Salisbury on July 22.
Southampton:
Southampton also kick off their pre-season today under new head coach Will Still. Appointed in May 2025, Still signed a three-year deal after successful spells in France with Reims and RC Lens. He rose to prominence at Reims as the youngest manager in Europe’s top five leagues, impressing with his leadership and tactical style.
The Saints begin their journey to bounce back from last season’s relegation, which ended with a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal. Several players have since departed, including Adam Lallana, who retired after 249 appearances across two spells and has now joined the club’s coaching staff. Kamaldeen Sulemana, Samuel Amo-Ameyaw, and Paul Onuachu have also moved on.
To strengthen the squad, Southampton have brought in two exciting Bundesliga talents. United States international Damion Downs joins from FC Köln after helping them secure promotion, while towering centre-back Joshua Quarshie arrives from Hoffenheim following an impressive loan spell with Greuther Fürth.
Davis’ Pre-Match Thoughts:
“Whether it is fitness, organisation, or seeing what individual talent we’ve got we will be tested.
“The pitch is perfect, the environment is perfect the weather is going to be hot and perfect so it is just making sure that we take something from the game, I think even in a game with top opposition we can learn something about ourselves!”
Previous meetings:
Southampton will visit the Silverlake Stadium with a senior squad for just the second time in their history. The first visit, around this time last year, saw the Saints secure a convincing victory.
19/07/24 | Eastleigh 1-7 Southampton | Pre-Season Friendly
Preview by Ed Groves
