Hawks 2 Eastleigh EDS 2

O’Toole 1′         Shelley og 39′

Trialist 75′         Mellor 70′

Hawks: Glover, Morrison, Shooman, Harris, Shelley (Blackmore 72′), Miles, Lambert (Warwick 58′), Cooper (Orome 46′), Splatt, O’Toole, Wright (Trialist 58′) Sub not used: Trialist B

Spitfires EDS: Hardcastle, Mumford, Wan, Malpas, Evans, Stock, Tshaka, Walker, Voller, Mellor, Harris

Subs: Mees, Smith, Palmer, Pomeroy, Kirby, Whitby

Hawks and a youthful Eastleigh Elite Development Squad side played out a hard-fought 2-2 draw, before the real action starts next Saturday in the FA Cup. Both clubs are sponsored by the Eastleigh based energy provider Utilita.

Hawks took the lead in under 30 seconds when Rob O’Toole converted Jav Splatt’s right wing cross at the near post. As the Hawks looked to take the game away from the visitors, a succession of corners were effectively dealt with by the Spitfires, as the visitors grew into the game. It was still a surprise when Joe Shelley headed back to Luke Glover from just outside the box to wrong foot the keeper and level the scores six minutes before half time.

The Hawks continued to have the better of a tight affair in the second half with a superb tip over by Hardcastle denying the recently introduced Trialist. Shelley completed a miserable afternoon for himself by being dispossessed as the last man, for a comfortable finish that gave the Spitfires a surprise lead with 20 minutes to go.

Within five minutes the Hawks were back on level terms after Splatt flicked on a Glover kick for A Trialist to finish one on one.

Hawks continued to look dangerous, especially from set pieces, but the visitors held firm. Ryan Warwick came close to winning it for the Hawks two minutes from time but was denied by the sub goalie at his near post.

Thanks to Eastleigh EDS for providing a very competitive match.