Tomorrow at Plainmoor, United will look to pick up where they left off on Good Friday, as Eastleigh make the trip down to South Devon to take on Gary Johnson’s men.
Who’s the Boss?
Lee Bradbury departed his role as Assistant Manager at Crawley Town to take the helm at Eastleigh in February after three years at the League Two side. Bradbury is renowned locally after spending time at Portsmouth and Bournemouth as a player, and in a number of coaching roles. The 46-year-old previously spent seven years managing Havant & Waterlooville, during which he guided the Hawks to their first ever promotion to the National League at the conclusion of the 2017/18 season.
How have they been doing?
On paper, Lee Bradbury’s arrival in February hasn’t sparked a dramatic improvement in Eastleigh’s fortunes, with only two victories in his first eight games, however it should be noted that most of those fixtures have come against teams chasing promotion, and the side continue to pose a dangerous threat when invited to do so. Eastleigh currently find themselves in 19th, with 40 points – 11 points above the relegation zone.
Player to Watch
Forward Tyrone Barnett has been a regular adversary for United over the years, having plied his trade at a number of clubs following a breakthrough spell at Hednesford Town, where he netted 40 goals in 81 league games. His 6ft 3in physical presence was utilised during spells at Macclesfield, Peterborough, Shrewsbury and Cheltenham amongst many others, before linking up at Eastleigh.
He has once again proven to be a regular goal threat this term, and currently has six league goals to his name in 32 league appearances, with one of those being the winner against United back in December at the Silverlake Stadium.
Played for Both
Brett Williams started his career at Eastleigh back in 2008 and in three years played 45 league games scoring nine goals. Williams is a journeyman striker that has played for the likes of Rotherham, Northampton and Woking(all loan) before a two year spell at Aldershot yielded 39 goals in 89 league appearances.
Spells at Stevenage and Forest Green then came before the striker came to the attention of the Gulls for the 2016/17 season where he scored 11 goals in 39 league games. the 33 year old then left Plainmoor for Bromley but was back for the 2018/19 season in his second spell at United. Williams has since played for Sutton and Weymouth and can be found currently playing for Lymington Town on loan.
Previous Encounter
Torquay 3 – 1 Eastleigh, National League – 1st May 2021
Gary Johnson’s men produced a marvellous performance at Plainmoor, as they secured a 3-1 win over Eastleigh. Billy Waters opened the scoring in style for The Gulls early on, and that lead was doubled by Asa Hall just after the break. The visitors replied through Tyrone Barnett, however Jake Andrews re-established that two-goal advantage, and that proved to be enough to seal another vital win in last season’s promotion battle.
Torquay were ahead in the 7th minute when Waters, with space in front of him, used his pace to break down the right wing, before cutting inside to send a superb rising left-footer into the top corner. It was a moment of real quality, with the United man fully deserving the adulation from his teammates that followed.
No goals followed in the first half but it didn’t take United long to double their lead early in the second half. After winning a corner three minutes in, the ball was floated perfectly towards the near-post, where Hall stooped to fire in a thumping downward header, aided by a Alex Wynter deflection.
Eastleigh got a goal back when just short of the hour mark, a cross from the right was diverted up into the air, and the ball landed kindly to Tyrone Barnett six yards out, and he poked the ball past Covolan to halve the deficit.
With 75 minutes on the clock and with Lemonheigh-Evans winning a free-kick on the edge of the D, Andrews’ eyes no doubt lit up. Any anticipation was well placed, as he responded to the invitation by curling the ball low to McDonnell’s right, and into the back of the net to make it 3-1 and seal the three points at Plainmoor.