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EASTLEIGH v BROMLEY

Tuesday 16th April 2013

Blue Square Bet South

Match report byJamie Montigue

A hat trick in the space of ten minutes from second half substitute Craig McAllister ensured

Eastleigh climbed back into the play-off positions.

The Spitfires saw off Bromley with a 3-0 victory at the Silverlake Stadium to continue their rich

vein of form. Richard Hill's side are now unbeaten in six consecutive games and also undefeated in

ten successive home matches.

Their were three changes to the Eastleigh side that went to Bath City and drew 1-1 at the weekend.

Mark Hughes and Damian Scannell were both back from suspension and started tonight; and Corey

King also came in to starting eleven at the expense of McAllister. Michael Green missed tonight's

game with a dead leg sustained on Saturday, whilst Dale Binns became a father recently and wasn'tinvolved in the squad tonight.

After a quiet opening to the game, a neat piece of skill and footwork from young winger Corey

King on the right saw the ball worked to Glen Southam whose clever cross in to the box had to be

cleared away from danger.

It took until the 16th minute for the first chance of the game to come about, and it went to the hosts

as Jai Reason swung the ball in from a corner. Chris Zebroski lost his marker but sent a free header

just wide of the post from the penalty spot.

Two minutes later, a free kick from Reason narrowly evaded both Dean Beckwith and Zebroski in

the middle as Eastleigh looked to take control of the game.

Eastleigh continued to threaten in the final third as Mark Hughes crossed the ball invitingly from

the left, which only just missed the head of Zebroski in the 21 st minute.

The first half certainly wasn't spectacular but it was Eastleigh who were looking the most likely in

front of goal and asking all of the questions.

Midway through the half a high ball into the box was not dealt with by the Bromley goalkeeper Joe

Welch, who attempted to punch the ball but missed it before his defence were eventually able toclear.

In the 29th minute, Chris Zebroski had a sight at goal after Alex Lacey who was playing at left

back owing to Michael Green's absence; delivered a cross from the left hand side. Zebroski got his

shot away but was denied by Marlon Patterson who blocked bravely to make an important stop.

A header from Dean Beckwith was caught under the cross bar by Welch from a Southam corner,

before Zebroski had another chance.

Ten minutes before the break, Mitchell Nelson played the ball in behind the visiting defence which

was placed and weighted perfectly to find Zebroski through on goal. This time, Moses Swaibumade an excellent and well-timed challenge to prevent a shot and deny Zebroski as he tried to cut in

on to his left foot.

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At the end of the half, a headed effort from Zebroski went a good few yards wide of goal, whilst

Bromley's first attempt came in the 41st minute when right-back Sanchez Ming got forward only to

misplace his shot off target.

There was still time for one more chance for Eastleigh and Bromley before the whistle was sounded

for half time. Zebroski had got himself beyond the final defender once more but scuffed his shottamely towards the goalkeeper.

Louie Theophanous then forced a smart reaction save out of an otherwise untroubled Ross Flitney

as the half came to a close with the scores level.

HALF TIME: Eastleigh 0-0 Bromley

Eastleigh started the half on the front foot with Joe Welch having to punch the ball away to deal

with a Corey King cross.

Damian Scannell was involved in a lot of attacking play in the opening minutes of the second half,and forced a corner kick on the near side. From the resulting set piece, Chris Zebroski controlled the

ball with his back to goal and saw his shot deflected behind.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Elliot Buchanan hit a shot into the ground and the ball bounced

safely wide of the post.

Approaching the hour mark, King picked out Zebroski with a cross where the striker brought the

ball under control with a beautiful touch before forcing a save out of Welch, who had to push the

attempt away. Scannell looked to pounce with a couple of follow-up efforts but the ball was

eventually scrambled wide.

In the 62nd minute, Bromley threatened with Pierre Joseph-Dubois with the ball at his feet inside the

Eastleigh penalty area. Two shots were exceptionally blocked in quick succession by the Eastleigh

defence who stood tall and strong when called in to action.

Andy Forbes was sent on in place of Chris Todd who picked up an injury with 64 minutes played.

Alex Lacey moved in to the centre of defence along side Dean Beckwith allowing Forbes to play at

left-back.

The Spitfires then made a double substitution in an attempt to change the game for the better twenty

minutes from time. Adam Watkins replaced Corey King and Craig McAllister came on for DamianScannell.

In recent weeks it has been Watkins who has provided impact and goals from the bench. This time

the introduction and fine cameo appearance of McAllister proved to be the difference as the game

came alive in its latter stages.

Jai Reason hit a powerful shot through a crowd of players where Welch saved in the 71st minute.

Two minutes later, a commanding header from Mitchell Nelson on the half way line set McAllister

on a surging run towards goal. The former Crawley Town forward got into the penalty area but fired

over the bar with his left foot.

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Jack Holland then volleyed over following a Bromley break and cross from the left. In a short space

of time, Eastleigh were on the attack again with Reason dragging an effort wide for the hosts.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 76 th minute. CRAIG MCALLISTERprofited from the

hard work and persistence of Chris Zebroski who had powered his way to the byline. McAllister

was on hand to head home from a couple of yards after Zebroski's pinpoint cross from the right.

Eastleigh's night was about to get even better and the result more comfortable having taken the lead

late in the game.

First though, Sanchez Ming had a shot kept out by the Eastleigh defence with the ball falling for

Danny Waldren who wasn't far away from goal with an acrobatic overhead kick.

Eight minutes from time, CRAIG MCALLISTERdoubled his and Eastleigh's tally for the evening

by finishing well from a Glen Southam corner.

Eastleigh were celebrating the award of a penalty moments later when Adam Watkins let fly with a

shot that was spilled by the keeper. Zebroski closed in on the rebound but was pushed to the groundleaving the referee little choice but to point to the spot.

Having scored twice already, CRAIG MCALLISTERwasn't going to pass on the opportunity to

complete a hat trick, which he duly did by coolly slotting home the penalty and sending Welch the

wrong way. It was McAllister's 13th goal of the season and put tonight's game beyond all doubt as

the Spitfires sealed all three points.

Things are shaping up very nicely for the Spitfires with just three league games remaining, two of

which are at home.

FULL TIME: Eastleigh 3-0 Bromley