Eastleigh continued their encouraging pre-season performance against Southampton with a well-earned 1–0 victory over AFC Bournemouth U21s at the Pavilion!
A first-half goal from Tyrese Shade proved the difference in a game that showcased not only attacking sharpness but also a disciplined and resilient defensive performance.
The opening exchanges were tightly contested, with both sides cautious in possession during the first ten minutes. Eastleigh gradually grew into the game, and their breakthrough came in the 15th minute. Kieron Evans drove forward down the right flank and delivered a teasing cross into the penalty area, where Shade timed his run perfectly to finish clinically and give the Spitfires a deserved lead.
The hosts almost found a response just seven minutes later. A well-placed cross found Finn Tonks in space, but the defender’s header drifted just wide of the post.
As the half progressed, Bournemouth began to gain territory and momentum. Archie Harris was called into action with a vital clearance on the half-hour mark to relieve pressure, and the Cherries tested Eastleigh with a sustained attacking spell late in the first half. However, Eastleigh’s defensive unit held firm to preserve their advantage heading into the break.
At half-time, manager Kelvin Davis made three changes to his side. Paul McCallum replaced goalscorer Tyrese Shade up top, Coby Killick came on for Jake Vokins at left-back, and Trialist A slotted into the defence in place of Luis Fernandez.
Eastleigh restarted brightly and continued to create chances. In the 53rd minute, Aaron Blair was pulled down in the box following a short Bournemouth back pass, but the referee dismissed the strong penalty appeals. Just a minute later, Harris delivered a superb ball from the left that found Richard Brindley, whose well-directed header was kept out by a smart save.
On the hour mark, Eastleigh made a second wave of substitutions. Trialist B took over in goal from Nick Townsend, Josh Lundstram replaced Kieron Evans in midfield, and Connor Underhill entered the action in place of Jake Taylor.
Before a final round of changes saw another five players introduced just five minutes later. Chase Michel, Sol Ceesay, Jordan Cousins, George Cole, and Henry Mubiru all joined the action, replacing Richard Brindley, Archie Harris, Angel Waruih, Aaron Blair, and Temi Eweka.
Bournemouth continued to press for an equaliser. In the 69th minute, a strong run down the right led to a dangerous opportunity, but Eastleigh’s defence produced a superb block to deny the visitors. One minute later, a Cherries attacker fired over from the edge of the box.
Despite the changes, Eastleigh still posed a threat going forward. In the 78th minute, Lundstram had a low drive well saved before Chase Michel’s follow-up shot was blocked and eventually gathered by the Bournemouth goalkeeper.
The visitors threw everything forward in the closing stages, but Eastleigh’s defensive shape and commitment saw them through. A final flurry of Bournemouth attacks in the 90th minute were met with calm, comfortable defending as the Spitfires held on to secure the clean sheet and the win.
Eastleigh: Townsend (Trialist B 60′), Brindley (Cole 60′), Vokins (Killick 46′), Fernandez (Trialist A 46′), Eweka (Ceesay 65′), Evans (Lundstram 60′), Taylor (Underhill 60′), Shade (McCallum 46′), Blair (Michel 65′), Waruih (Cousins 65′), Harris (Mubiru 65′)
Unused Subs: Bristow, Russell
Goals: Shade (15′)
