Three goals with no reply saw Eastleigh advance in the 2022/23 FA Youth Cup against local neighbours AFC Totton.
Leo Downing opened the scoring in style after just 15 minutes, before Lewis Williams and Balraj Singh wrapped the game up with late strikes in the closing stages at the Snows Stadium.
The young Spitfires started the strongest, spraying the ball around confidently on the slick surface at the Snows Stadium.
It took just six minutes for Eastleigh to fashion the first chance of the game after a blistering counter attack. Balraj Singh had a shot saved before the ball was recycled out to Lewis Williams who saw his effort cleared off the line.
Ollie Plunkett was kept aware in the opening stages too, rushing out to smother the ball and stop a dangerous AFC Totton attack.
Moments later, in the 15th minute, the opening goal did come courtesy of a fantastic strike from the edge of the area. Tricky winger, Leo Downing, let fly from 18 yards out and fired a low drive into the bottom left corner.
The chances kept coming for Andy Darnton’s side in the first half, as Singh once again went close with a powerful low free-kick that was saved at the near post.
Ollie Erdinc embarked on a mazy run in the 39th minute, teeing up Malachi Dotse whose shot drifted just wide.
The half drew to a close with Plunkett called into action for the second time, tipping away a deep free-kick before comfortably diving on the loose ball.
The second half began with a chance for the hosts as an AFC Totton forward dribbled past three defender but fired high and wide of the mark.
Dominance for the Spitfires was restored soon after though, as Dotse struck the crossbar with a shot on the turn in the 51st minute.
Just before the hour mark, Bailey Honeysett was denied by a strong save from inside the area as a second goal seemed inevitable.
A more balanced spell followed, before the lead was eventually doubled in the 77th minute. Lewis Williams robbed the ball from the last defender and drilled home with a confident finish.
The third and final goal followed soon after, as a flowing team move was finished off by Balraj Singh from close range to put the tie to bed.
From then, the game was settled and an assured performance from the young Spitfires saw them advance in the FA Youth Cup.
TEAM NEWS: Plunkett, Perry, Clark, Stream, Webber, Erdinc, Williams, Honeysett, Dotse, Singh, Downing
SUBS: Blidaru, Willets, Lumsden, Manton, Nye, Rogers, Fox
