Aaron Martin’s late header earned the Spitfires a win in their final pre season test against a resilient Bashley side at the Glen Mex Stadium.

The Spitfires started the game brighter of the two sides and it did not take long for them to open the scoring when Lee Hodson swung in a cross from the left wing which was headed home by Scott Quigley in just the fifth minute of play.

The lead was doubled just four minutes later when Chris Maguire this time sent in a dangerous looking cross from the left which was met by Charlie Carter whose first effort was saved before he followed up with a fine finish into the centre of the goal.

Bashley brought themselves back into the game in the 23rd minute when they whipped in a corner that was found by Sam Davidson who headed past Joe McDonnell to reduce their deficit.

Paul McCallum came close to extending the Spitfires lead in the 44th minute when he drove across the edge of the box and curled an effort towards goal which was saved by Ross Casey.

The first chance of the second half came when Aiden Barlow clattered the post with a low driven effort after being found by a cross from Charlie Carter.

Moments later Aiden Barlow was slipped through behind the Bashley defence and squared the ball to McCallum who cannoned the ball against the right post as the Spitfires continued to search for a goal to extend their lead.

The pressure continued when Ryan Clampin cut the ball back into the path of McCallum whose shot was blocked off the line and went out for a corner.

Bashley won a penalty in the 51st minute which was scored by Brett Williams who placed the ball into the bottom right corner to bring the hosts level.

Ludwig Francillette came close to scoring his first goal for the Spitfires in the 57th minute with a right footed effort that was saved by the stretched hand of Casey in the bottom right hand corner of the goal.

The Spitfires almost regained the lead in the 81st minute when Ryan Clampin’s long range free-kick forced Casey into making a diving save to his left.

Carter had a shot cleared off the line in the 84th minute when he met Enzio Boldewijn’s low driven cross.

The Spitfires efforts came good in the 85th minute when Boldewijn whipped in a cross which was met with a towering header from Aaron Martin who put the ball past Casey to take back the lead of the game.

This proved to be the last real chance of the game as the Spitfires sealed the win in our final pre season test.

Our 2023/24 Vanarama National League campaign will begin on Saturday away at Solihull Moors. Tickets can be bought by clicking here.

Report by Matthew Gibbs

Bashley: Casey, Webber, Thompson, Davidson, Jefford, Lowes, Bailey, Delaney, Grange, Bullard, Williams

Subs: Morris, Bennett, Davis, Griffiths, Sexton-Chad, Chalwell, Simpson

Eastleigh: McDonnell, Francillette, Carter, Taylor, McCallum, Langston, Hodson, Nwaboukei, Maguire, Quigley, Rutherford

Subs: Scott, Martin, Atangana, Barlow, Boldewijn, Stock, Clampin