Report: Eastleigh 2-3 Maidenhead United

Alan Devonshire made just one change from the Magpies emphatic Good Friday win against Aldershot Town at York Road, as Zico Asare dropped to the bench, with Will De Havilland coming into the starting lineup. 

 

Eastleigh took the lead in the opening stages of the game, as Ben Reeves' free kick bobbled around in the box before Solomon Nwabuokei fired past Craig Ross to open the scoring. 

 

The hosts doubled their advantage 10 minutes later. Chris Maguire found himself in space on the edge of the box, and curled a left footed shot low into the bottom right corner. 

 

Maidenhead almost had an instant reply, as Tristan Abrahams picked up on a failed clearance, looked to bend his effort into the far corner, but the Eastleigh defence was able to block acrobatically. 

 

The Spitfires looked to carve out another chance to score, and after some nice passing on the edge of the area, the ball found Enzio Boldewijn in space on the right wing, but his cross missed everyone and bounced out for a throw-in. 

 

They had another great chance shortly after when Jake Vokins drove towards goal, Kevin Lokko’s tackle saw the ball land at Scott Quigley’s feet, but his shot failed to trouble Craig Ross. 

 

HALF TIME - Eastleigh 2 - 0 Maidenhead United 

 

Eastleigh were quick out the blocks in the second half, and looked to test Craig Ross straight away, but Ben Reeves’ header failed to do so as the Maidenhead captain gathered easily. 

 

However, Maidenhead would get the first goal of the half and cut the hosts advantage to one. Sam Barratt caught out the Eastleigh defence playing a quick free kick to Nathaniel-George whose effort was pushed onto Will De Havilland and into the back of the net. 

 

The Magpies looked to push on from their good start, and were almost level minutes later as Sam Beckwith cut back to Mitchell-Lawson, but Scott was able to push behind for a corner. 

 

Maidenhead eventually got the equaliser they deserved with 20 minutes remaining. Jayden Mitchell-Lawson beat his man, passed into the box but Nigel Atangana turned the ball into his own net. 

 

With 10 minutes to play, Charlee Adams whipped a free kick towards Kevin Lokko, but the Eastleigh defender got to the ball first and his clearance almost bounced into the back of his own goal. 

 

The Magpies would finally take the lead moments after, as a ball got fired into the box, Shawn McCoulsky got there first and poked into the back of the net to give Maidenhead their first lead of the afternoon. 

 

FULL TIME - Eastleigh 2 - 3 Maidenhead United 

 

Eastleigh - Tommy Scott, Nigel Atangana (Taylor 74’), Ludwig Francillette, Ben Reeves (Merry 84’), Enzio Boldewijn (Rutherford 84’), George Langston, Lee Hodson, Solomon Nwabuokei, Chris Maguire, Scott Quigley, Jake Vokins 

 

Maidenhead United - Craig Ross, Sam Beckwith (Asare 90’), Will De Havilland, Kevin Lokko, Ashley Nathaniel-George, Jayden Mitchell-Lawson, Casey Pettit, Remy Clerima, Tristan Abrahams (McCoulsky 62’), Sam Barratt, Charlee Adams