Eastleigh are back on the road once again in midweek, this time to face Maidstone United in the 32nd matchday of the Vanarama National League on Tuesday 21st February with a 7:45pm kick-off. Preview in association with Unibet.
Maidstone United:
Having defeated Eastleigh in the FA Trophy, Maidstone could not continue the momentum into the National League as they returned to familiar ways this campaign falling 2-0 at 16th-placed Oldham Athletic last time out.
The Stones have recorded just one point in their last 11 league fixtures as they sit rock bottom of the National League with just 22 points from 32 matches.
Despite that record, Maidstone United have been more competitive than the results suggest, losing six of the previous 11 league matches by just one goal, failing to score in just five of those fixtures.
Despite being eight points adrift of safety the Stones still carry a threat as the FA Trophy fifth-round upset showed.
Jack Barham is Maidstone United’s top goal scorer this season with eight goals so far, while Regan Booty follows closely behind with seven goals so far in this campaign.
Eastleigh:
The Spitfires returned to winning ways at home with a 1-0 victory over Maidenhead United last weekend.
Charlie Carter netted his eighth goal of the season assisted by new signing Kairo Mitchell who has played provider three times already since joining from Notts County.
Eastleigh will be looking to extend a two-game win streak away from home having defeated Southend United and Dagenham and Redbridge in their previous two matches on the road.
This recent upturn in away form has firmly lifted the Spitfires into the play-off race sitting on the same points as seventh-placed Bromley but just below the line due to goal difference.
Danny Whitehall remains Eastleigh’s top goal scorer this season with 11 goals but the lead at the top was cut once again by Carter who is now only three goals behind the prolific frontman.
Fixture History:
The two sides met just ten days ago in the FA Trophy fifth round where the Stones took advantage against the 10-men Spitfires to win 4-0 and progress to the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Earlier in the campaign, both teams played out a thrilling 5-2 at the Silverlake Stadium as Eastleigh overturned a halftime deficit to claim all three points.
The two sides have met nine times previously with Eastleigh dominating the head-to-head record winning six of those matches while Maidstone won the remaining three fixtures.
Head-to-Head (Last Five):
11/02/22: Eastleigh 0-4 Maidstone United
08/11/22: Eastleigh 5-2 Maidstone United
12/03/19: Eastleigh 2-0 Maidstone United
06/11/21: Maidstone United 1-3 Eastleigh
20/01/18: Maidstone United 2-3 Eastleigh
By Sajidur Rahman
