The Young Spitfires are knocked out of the FA Youth Cup by AFC Wimbledon.
The visitors got off to a bright start, and never looked back as they eliminated the Young Spitfires from the tournament.
At the beginning of the evening, our Young Spitfires were looking to go further than they ever had done before in the FA Youth Cup.
Despite the result, this season’s FA Youth Cup campaign will be remembered as another special run.
Our football league visitors attempted to leave their mark on the game very early on, as they clipped the post, with an attempt from close range.
Harry Hedges then had another go on goal just a couple of minutes later. He shot just wide of the far post from the left side of the goal.
The strong start from the visitors continued into the 10th minute, when Kai Mackenzie put them ahead with a shot from inside the box.
Joe Kirby then proceeded to bag their second of the game just three minutes later. He broke into the box before unleashing a curled effort into the bottom right corner.
Going into the 25th minute, the Young Spitfires had settled into the game a bit, and managed to create their first proper chance of the game. Coby Killick connected with a corner, but did not manage to get his headed effort on target.
Kayan Moore would go on to add a third to Wimbledon’s tally just before the 40 minute mark, with a powerful effort that sailed it’s way into the top right corner.
Ed Leach followed up moments later with another goal, leaving the hosts four goals to the good going into the break.
The visitors had the first attempt on goal after the break, with Kai Mackenzie skimming a shot across the face of goal and marginally wide.
Freddie Beale blasted a shot towards goal in the 56th minute, with hopes of pulling one back. But, his shot could only find it’s way into the palms of Ethan McGrath in the Wimbledon goal.
Wimbledon added a fifth to their tally through Riley Horan, who slotted the ball into the right hand side of the net in the 60th minute.
Ben Beard bent an effort towards the target, with just over 20 minutes remaining, but saw his effort get denied.
Leach went up the other end and grabbed his second of the day a few moments later, after beating Sam White with a shot from the edge of the box.
Amari Sealey attempted to score another for Wimbledon in the 89th minute, but slipped when he hit the ball. His shot sailed wide of the post.
The Young Spitfires would continue to work right until the end, but would go on to be eliminated from the FA Youth Cup, following an impressive campaign.
Eastleigh: White (GK), Beard (Barham, 90′), Mubiru (Russell, 68′), Ceesay (O’Carroll, 85′), Killick (C), Jones, Michel (Farnsworth, 68′), Luff (Cole, 76′), Stone, Ingram, Beale
Unused subs: Bristow (GK), Tarley
AFC Wimbledon: McGrath (C), Harris (Fraser, 81′), Horan (C), Leach (Nkeng, 73′), Lawrence (Norris, 81′), Mackenzie, Moore, Souk, Goma, Kirby (Sealey, 64′), Hedges (Woods, 73′)
Unused subs: Quinn, Djedje
Goals: Mackenzie (10′), Kirby (13′), Moore (39′), Leach (41′, 70′), Horan (60′)
Referee: Michael Ryan
Attendance: TBC
Report by Matthew Gibbs
