Quarter Final of the Hampshire Cup – Saturday 14th December 2019
Eastleigh U16’s Academy travelled to Frimley Lodge Park on Saturday to play their quarter final game against Curley Park U16’s. A win for either side would see them get a place in the Semi final which will be played in the new year.
Curley Park where the quicker side and got into the game very quickly, Curley had the first shot in the game with some quick build up play 9 managed to produce a shot at goal but the Eastleigh keeper had it covered and produced a comfortable save. Eastleigh had a chance as well but 15 couldn’t quite get a touch on the cross in and it went wide for a goal kick.
Both sides gathered up momentum and possession was even as the match went on, both sides had chances, 15 minutes in Curley could have made it 1-0 when Eastleigh had a mix up at the back. A rather comfortable looking save was quickly turned into a danger ball as the wind took the ball away from the keepers hands and it landed in the path of the Curley 9 who takes a shot and this time the keeper makes a save.
Again another chance to make it 1-0 for Curley as the win a free kick on the edge of the box, a great ball was put into the box but 10 for Curley couldn’t quite get full contact onto the ball and headers it wide of the goal. However momentum changes as Eastleigh produce some great build up play from their own half a low cross by 7 of Eastleigh meets 11 who is in enough space to take a touch and shoot and puts the ball in the back of the net, Eastleigh make it 1-0.
Eastleigh are gaining more possession and are having a few more chances to make it 2-0. Eastleigh win a free kick on the right hand side which is taken by 5, a great cross into the box but is defended well by the loose ball meets the feet of 6 who has a shot but sees it go over the crossbar and ends in a goal kick for Curley.
Eastleigh have another chance when 9 made a great run into the box from the halfway line a quick passing play and then 9 managed to get into space unmarked and have a shot at goal but again his shot was just wide of the near post. 9’s perservernace paid of in the end for Eastleigh as just after the 30 minute mark 9 made it 2-0, a great through ball 7 into the box and 9 comfortably wraps his foot around the ball and slots it into the back of the net. Eastleigh made their first change of the match with 11 making way 12 just before the half time whistle.
At halftime it was Eastleigh 2 Curley Park 0. Talking to the parents of Eastleigh some comments where made specifically ‘Eastleigh are doing well in the build up play just lacking in the final third, as well they need to take the chances they are getting instead of looking for the easy route.’
Second half kicks off with Eastleigh taking the centre kick. In the second half Curley dominated play as they where playing the very high press and forcing Eastleigh to make mistakes as they where trying to play from out the back. With gaining momentum Curley where able to bring back the 2 goal deficit by scoring 15 minutes into the second half n 2 scoring for Curley Park a low shot that deflected off the keeper into the back of the net.
However Curley’s hope where soon diminished as Eastleigh got back into the game and increased the score to 3-1, a great run down the right hand wing by 12 delivers a great cross into the box which meets the head of 15 who smashes it into the back of the net a great goal to show the great display by Eastleigh.
Curley however didn’t give up even though being 3-1 down. They had a great chance to make it 3-2 but 9 shot hit the crossbar and was after some difficulty saved by the keeper. Curley kept testing the back line and the goalkeeper but Eastleigh stood their ground and was able to keep the score at 3-1.
At fulltime it finished Eastleigh 3 Curley 1, at the end Eastleigh advanced into the semi finals of the Hampshire Cup which takes place in the new year.
Emily Bird Academy Football - National League 