Eastleigh FC 1 Chasetown FC 3

Chasetown FC’s sensational FA Carlsberg Trophy run took another dramatic step with a 3-1 victory at Eastleigh.

More than 250 devoted Scholars fans who made the journey south went home overjoyed after a wonderful attacking display from the side, despite a strong start from the home side and several hints at a comeback but these were quickly dispelled by the Scholars forwards.

Eastleigh forced a corner from the very first attack of the game, Gary Hay heading out as far as Tony Taggart who shot over the bar from distance.  Jimmy Turner and skipper Richard Teesdale had to work hard over the opening stages with the hosts looking rapid down the centre and left flank while Chris Slater blocked a double attack from Richard Graham and Jamie Slabber in the eighth minute.

Chasetown’s first chance came in the 14th minute but Ben Jevons headed Turner’s ball into the box wide, but the Scholars were working hard against the men from the Blue Square South and had certainly acquitted themselves well with some tight midfield play.

Ryan Price denied Slabber on two occasions as the Spitfires kept up the pressure on the Scholars back line, but against the odds it was the visitors who took the lead on 31 minutes.  Richard Davies burst clear of a brace of Spitfires defenders and carefully took the ball round keeper Jason Matthews and slotted across the face of goal into the far corner.

Eastleigh’s fightback was immediate, Taggart hitting the woodwork twice with a 20-yard shot and a free kick as the atmosphere in the Silverlake Stadium came alive.  Gary Hay threatened a second for the Scholars but was beaten by the offside flagwhile Price kicked away a close-range shot from Taggart following a Graham cross.

Slabber went closest of all for the Spitfires in the 44th minute but his shot squeaked an inch wide and following a corner Price impressed to once again deny Taggart to conclude a hugely entertaining first half.

Three minutes into the second half and Eastleigh were level, Shaun McAuley crossing from the right allowing Slabber to head the ball into the roof of the net to the disappointment of the vocal Scholars fans.

McAuley could have added a second moments later but Price dived to get his hand to the ball and push the shot wide, and he impressed yet again to save with his legs denying Graham seconds later.

Opposite number Matthews then redeemed himself for the first half by halting a fine attack down the left from Hay and blocking a shot from Danny Smith as the Scholars began to look strong and determined once again with the noise levels from those in red and white rising once more.

On the hour mark their shouts were answered as the Scholars sensationally retook the lead.  Mark Branch’s corner from the right found Hay and Smith at the far post and following a scramble the latter stabbed the ball past the flailing Matthews.

The cracking end to end action continued with the visitors back in front, Chris Holland heading out a Branch cross before out of nowhere on 73 minutes Chasetown added a third.  Dave Egan burst out down the right and unleashed a peach of a cross to the wide open Ben Jevons who fired past Matthews left-footed.

Things went from bad to worse for the Spitfires three minutes later when substitute Luke Byles was sent off for a heavy challenge on Davies, and the Chase could have made it four but Matthews got down low behind Smith’s shot with the latter then just failing to get his foot to Ramone Stephens’ cross.

The Scholars survived a scare following a large goalmouth scramble and Stephens was next to go close with an audacious 35-yard chip which flew just wide, while Price continued to star between the sticks denying Richard Gillespie with six minutes to go.

Eastleigh pushed hard but there was no way back and the Scholars had firmly shot down the Spitfires on their way into the quarter finals.

The Scholars now look towards Monday’s draw and also the visit of Buxton in the Evo-Stik Premier League on Tuesday (February 8), kick-off 7.45pm.

Eastleigh: Matthews, Bottomley, Goodhind, Danny Smith, Jordan (c), Holland, Adeniyi, McAuley, Slabber, Taggart, Graham.  Subs: Poate, Toomer, Byles (Bottomley 45), Gillespie (McAuley 70), Bennett (Slabber 76).
Chasetown: Price, Turner, M Branch, Slater, Davies, Teesdale (c), Stephens, Egan, Hay, Danny Smith, Jevons.  Subs: Cohen, Ryan (Hay 87), Robinson, Bridgewater, Westwood.

You can see more of Dave Birt’s fantastic pictures of the day in our in pictures section.