- Rodney (11', 75')
- (OG) (18')
- Henderson (63')
Despite a positive start, the Spitfires suffer a heavy defeat on the road against Rochdale in the Vanarama National League.
The home side went two goals up within the first 20 minutes, putting themselves in a strong position to go on and secure the win against the Spitfires.
The two first-half goals were then backed up by a strikes from Ian Henderson and Devante Rodney.
Kelvin Davis made one change from last weekend’s draw against FC Halifax Town, with Lee Hodson coming in for Richard Brindley.
The first chance of the game came just four minutes into it. Chris Maguire found Tyrese Shade with a through ball, Shade would then chop inside before aiming to find the bottom right corner the goal. His shot was blocked, before being cleared away from danger.
Rochdale took the lead of the game with their first chance of the day. Toby Adebayo-Rowling squared the ball into the path of Devante Rodney in the 11th minute, giving him the chance to hit the ball low and into the goal.
They would then proceed to double their advantage seven minutes later, with the last touch of the ball being an unfortunate knick off of Luis Fernandez, before the ball found it’s way into the back of the net.
Ian Henderson had a big chance to get Rochdale’s third of the day in the 35th minute. He was slipped through one-on-one with Joe McDonnell, but was unable to find the target, and would see his shot trickle just wide of the left post.
Just before the break, Ludwig Francillette was picked out by Ben Close in the Rochdale area, but he was unable generate enough power on his headed effort to beat Killian Barrett in the Rochdale goal.
The second-half began with a change for the Spitfires, with Lloyd Humphries coming on for Corey Panter.
Aidan Barlow had an attempt on goal in the 54th minute, but was unable to keep his shot down, as he saw it fly high over the crossbar.
Paul McCallum came close to making an instant impact after coming onto the pitch in the 58th minute. With his first touch of the ball, he tested Barrett with a low-driven shot, but was unable to beat him.
Henderson scored the home sides third of the day, with a lofted finish in the 63rd minute. Rodney would then go on to score his second of the afternoon, to put Rochdale four to the good.
Late on, Tyrese Shade faced Barrett into making a diving save, with a shot from range. This was the final chance of the day.
Rochdale: Barrett (GK), Gordon, Eubanks-Landell (C), Allarakhia (Kingdon, 79′), Gilmour, Rodney, Adebayo-Rowling, Barlow (Mitchell, 66′), Edwards (Weston, 84′), Beckwith (Ferguson, 79′), Henderson
Unused subs: Armstrong, Adu-Poku, Ayinde
Goals: Rodney (11′, 75′), Fernandez (OG) (18′), Henderson (63′)
Yellow cards: Rodney (90+1′)
Eastleigh: McDonnell (GK), Fernandez, Francillette, Maguire, Taylor (C), Shade, Hodson (McCallum, 58′), Panter (Humphries, 46′), Boutin, Close (Underhill, 69′), Tshikuna
Unused subs: Scott (GK), Ryan
Yellow cards: Panter (29′)
Attendance: 1,762
Report by Matthew Gibbs
