Jake Vokins forces an own goal before scoring a goal of his own as the Spitfires take down Maidenhead United at York Road on the opening day of the season.

The Spitfires scored twice in seven minutes to give themselves the lead going into the break, and it would be a lead that they would not lose.

An opening day win and a clean sheet gave the travelling Spitfires plenty to cheer about on our trip to Berkshire.

The first chance of the game fell for the Spitfires in just the third minute. Scott Quigley found some space on the left flank before crossing the ball into the path of Tyrese Shade, the number 10 could not quite get a solid connection on his effort and saw it get stopped by the Maidenhead defence.

Reece Smith had the next attempt at opening the scoring just three minutes later, his shot from just inside the box forced Joe McDonnell into making a diving save. The Spitfires ‘keeper tipped the ball over the bar in impressive fashion, keeping the game goalless.

The Magpies thought they had taken the lead in the 12th minute. A headed effort was caught by McDonnell before one of the Maidenhead players headed the ball out of his hands and into the back of the net. The referee called it back for a foul and the goal was disallowed.

Paul McCallum had his first attempt on goal in the 22nd minute, after an impressive run from Shade who came from his own box to past the half-way line, the ball was whipped into McCallum. At first he tried it on the volley but couldn’t get his shot off properly, the ball fell back at his feet but he would blaze his second attempt wide of the mark.

The scoring was opened in the 32nd minute, Jake Vokins whipped a cross in from the left wing that took a heavy deflection off Will de Havilland before meeting Craig Ross on his goal line. The Magpies ‘keeper could not keep the ball from going over the line and the Spitfires took the lead.

Vokins would then go and put the Spitfires two goals to the good just seven minutes later. This time, it would be nice name down on the scoresheet, his long-range free kick made it’s way over the Maidenhead defence and into the top left corner, giving us a very early Goal of the Season contender.

After the break, the first chance of the half came for the hosts. Kevin Lokko had a go from range and forced McDonnell into getting down low to catch his effort in the 54th minute.

Chris Maguire entered the game in the 69th minute and tried to leave his mark on it straight away. His first job was to take a free kick on the left side of the box. He curled his effort towards the near post but saw it matched well by Ross.

The referee received treatment for an injury with just under 20 minute remaining, play did not resume until the 77th minute meaning there would be a decent bulk of time added onto the end of the game.

Lokko connected with a corner in the 84th minute as the hosts attempted a late comeback, but his headed effort flew over the bar giving the Spitfires a goal kick.

Following 16 minutes of additional time, the substitute referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the game as the Spitfires secured an opening day win in Berkshire.

Maidenhead United: Ross (GK) (C), Bell, Dyce, de Havilland, Lokko, Carvalho (McCoulsky, 58′), Ferguson (Johnson, 89′), Mitchell-Lawson (Ajose, 90+7′), Pettit (Keetch, 89′), Smith, Abrahams

Unused subs: Collins (GK), Massey

Yellow cards: Bell (31′), Pettit (69′)

Eastleigh: McDonnell (GK), Brindley (Semenyo, 58′), Vokins (Sotona, 58′) (Maher, 90+6′), Humphries, Francillette, Taylor (C), McCallum, Shade (Waruih, 83′), Nwabuokei, Panter, Quigley (Maguire, 69′)

Unused subs: Scott (GK), Fernandez

Goals: de Havilland (OG) (32′), Vokins (39′)

Yellow cards: Quigley (28′), Vokins (49′), Panter (66′), Maguire (90+15′)

Referee: Jamie O’Connor

Attendance: 1,379

Report by Matthew Gibbs