Boston United took the lead through their captain Greg Sloggett following a set piece routine in the first 10 minutes. It took Eastleigh 25 minutes to equal the scoring when a Saunders header found the back of the net. The teams went in even at half time, but 13 minutes in to the second-half Blair found the winner!
Scott Bartlett made one change to the team that drew 1-1 against Yeovil in the week. Unfortunately, Richard Brindley suffered an injury five minutes into the last game, so he is unavailable today. James Waite came in for his fourth start for the Spitfires. After announcing right and left-backs Will Spiers and Luey Giles on loan from Cardiff City this morning, the pair both made the bench for the match today.
Boston United carved out the first chance of the game from a corner. Frankie Maguire’s delivery in the sixth minute found Oisin Gallagher, who’s header was saved fantastically by Nick Townsend.
The Pilgrims, who started the game on the front foot, were rewarded for their fast start when Temi Eweka’s mistimed challenge on Maguire led to a free-kick. The resulting free-kick, that was crossed from the right hand-side, would cause pandemonium in the penalty box. A Boston United shot that was heading in struck the hand of an Eastleigh defender, however, the ball fell too the Pilgrims captain Sloggett, who rifled in a low effort passed Townsend to give the hosts the lead.
After 18 minutes, the Spitfires had their first break coming down the right side of the pitch when Sam Pearson skipped away from Adam Crowther, and delivered a ball into the box that unfortunately evaded every blue shirt in the box.
Eastleigh’s next attack, coming in the 25th minute, would be much more rewarding! Josh Lundstram picked the ball up on the edge of the box and laid the ball off to James Waite. Waite spread the ball out wide to Archie Harris, who took one touch before delivering a perfect ball into Saunders, who was unmarked. Saunders made no mistake in heading the ball passed Rhys Lovett to equal the scoring.
The hosts came incredibly close to reclaiming the lead in the 33rd minute when Kieran Donnelly’s effort from a tight angle was beaten away by Townsend, but only as far as Gallagher, who skied his close range effort over.
As half time approached, Lundstram found some space outside the edge of the box and opted to try his luck from distance, needing an outstretched hand from Lovett to keep his low but powerful effort out of goal. This was the last bit of action of the half as the teams went into halftime drawing.
Boston started the half similarly to the first, with a Maguire corner leading to a fantastic Townsend save, this time from Lankshear’s header.
However it would be the Spitfires that would strike first in the second half on the 58th minute mark! Evans long ball forward tempted Lovett to try claim the ball before Blair. However, the goalkeeper missed his clearance and gave Blair the easiest goal of his career as he tapped home into an empty net.
Just after the goal, Eastleigh would prepare three substitutes, with Saunders coming off for Paul McCallum. Waite and Pearson departed for debutants Giles and Spiers.
With just 15 minutes to play, Boston United had a chance cleared of the line from captain Lloyd Humphries after a short corner fell too Maguire on the edge of the box, his strike looked to be heading in until Humphries kneed the ball to safety.
Boston United had a golden opportunity to rescue the game in the 88th minute when substitute Jody Hiwula was brought down by Aaron Pierre just outside the box; the defender was given a yellow card, but ultimately stopped an attack that could have led to a goal.
This intervention was the last of the game and was ultimately vital in Eastleigh taking all three points back to SO50, whilst extending their unbeaten run to 5 games.
Boston United: Lovett, Teale, Sloggett (C), Maguire (Hiwulla 88′), Donnelly, (Aboh 64), John-Lewis, Lankshear, Richards, Crowther, Gallagher, Lavinier (Carson 43′)
Unused Substitutes: Barrett (GK), Hill, Fogarty, Waldock
Yellow Cards: Richards 47′ Sloggett 81′ Crowther 90+3′
Goals: Sloggett 9′
Eastleigh: Townsend, Humphries (C), Eweka, Evans, Blair, Waite (Giles 64′), Saunders (McCallum 64′), Pierre, Lundstram (Wariuh 88′), Pearson (Spiers 64′), Harris
Unused Substitutes: McNamara (GK), Fernandez, McCallum, Maher
Yellow Cards: Eweka 8′ Evans 57′ Giles 83′ Pierre 89′
Goals: Saunders 25′ Blair 58′
Attendance: 1678 (69)
Report by Ed Groves
