Live pre-season match updates Eastleigh vs Southampton FC

Goodnight 👋

That's all from us at the Silverlake Stadium this evening. Great to see Saints back in action with a convincing win. Next up for them is a trip to Spain next week.

Martin: 'I don't care about the scoreline. I'm annoyed we conceded from a set-piece'

(Image: Stuart Martin)

Martin on why Lallana and Edwards were withdrawn at Eastleigh

(Image: Stuart Martin)

Alcaraz, Charles, Harwood-Bellis, Mara, Wood, Sugawara and Manning are all doing sprints at full-time. Mara still has some cotton wool in his nose after a knock earlier. 

No extra time needed here. Game comes to an end right on 90 minutes. Very strong start to pre-season for Saints.

Six different goalscorers. Lallana was not used after being named in the team initially. Edwards also didn't return after coming off in the first half.

(Image: SDE)

Eastleigh 1 Saints 7

Amo-Ameyaw has been the stand-out player in this game for me. He's been so lively down the right-hand side and had the beating of his man so many times.

Linked up well with Sugawara on his first appearance too. The Japanese defender is constantly an option in attack from overlaps and runs into the box.

Eastleigh 1 Saints 7

GOAL. Alcaraz the latest to score from outside of the box. His hit across goal catches the keeper out and meets the bottom corner.

"Oh, Charly Charly" sing the Saints fans. 7-1!

Eastleigh 1 Saints 6

Sugawara is denied a quick-fire brace by a good low save. He was in a forward position.

Eastleigh 1 Saints 6

More brilliant play from Amo-Ameyaw down the right to set up Mara. His close-range shot is saved.

Eastleigh 1 Saints 6

GOAL. 6-1. Sugawara with a great hit from distance which nestles in the bottom corner. He is prone to scoring a lovely goal.

Eastleigh 1 Saints 5

Merry is back on in place of Robinson.

Eastleigh 1 Saints 5

A rasping effort from Dibling stings the palms of McDonnell, who pushes it clear.

Eastleigh 1 Saints 5

Manning with a low finish across the goal. Came from Sugawara's cross from the right which was only half cleared. 20 minutes to go.

Eastleigh 1 Saints 4

Alcaraz receives the ball just inside the box but can't free it from under his feet before the ball is taken away from him.

New kit ✅
New players ✅ pic.twitter.com/LJtY8oS7pf

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 19, 2024

Eastleigh 1 Saints 4

Amo-Ameyaw's looped ball is just above Robinson, who jumped up to meet it.

Eastleigh 1 Saints 4

Another water break as we head into the final 25 minutes. The second half hasn't been as action-packed as the first. Amo-Ameyaw and Dibling continue to look bright.

Eastleigh 1 Saints 4

Into the final 30 minutes now. Alcaraz seems to have shaken off that knock from earlier. 

Eastleigh 1 Saints 4

GOAL. 4-1. Eastleigh pull one back through Quigley. Free-kick from deep finds the forward at the back post. Good finish.

Eastleigh 0 Saints 4

Alcaraz struggling on his feet at the moment. He's limping and checking his leg.

Eastleigh 0 Saints 4

GOAL. 4-0. Mara from the spot. Cool penalty.

Eastleigh 0 Saints 3

PEN to Saints. Amo-Ameyaw pulled down in the box. Mara to take.

Eastleigh 0 Saints 3

Back to a more conventional back four now. Sugawara and Manning on both sides. Amo-Ameyaw, Robinson and Mara front three.

SECOND HALF TEAM NEWS 📰

(Image: SDE)

Lots of positives from that first half beyond the goals. Nice to see Saints playing the ball quickly and holding onto it. With three centre-backs and a number of midfielders, they are able to spot runners in behind and free them on goal. 

(Image: SDE)

Eastleigh 0 Saints 3

First sign of life from Eastleigh in the final third. McCarthy has just been forced into a save. Back-to-back corners for the Spitfires.

Eastleigh 0 Saints 3

GOAL. 3-0. Smallbone makes it three. Runs through on goal and drills a low finish into the bottom corner.

Saints have scored two goals now from playing the ball in behind the opposition defenders, much like the U21s earlier today.

Eastleigh 0 Saints 2

Amo-Ameyaw has two bites at the cherry from distance, both blocked. Earns some applause for his effort.

Eastleigh 0 Saints 2

Armstrong searching for his hat-trick goal but fires straight into McDonnell's hands after a ball from Aribo.

Eastleigh 0 Saints 2

Brindley gets up the right-hand side and forces Saints to clear a cross. Martin is not happy in the dugout with something in the build-up to that. 

Eastleigh 0 Saints 2

Robinson has come on for Dibling just after that water break. 

Eastleigh 0 Saints 2

The ball is back in play after that drinks break. Enjoyed how Taylor spent a good amount of time listening to Davis speak with his Eastleigh players. 

Eastleigh 0 Saints 2

After 23 minutes we are having the first water break. Really positive from Saints so far.

Eastleigh 0 Saints 2

Dibling enjoying a good outing so far. It was his delightful through ball that set Armstrong up for his second. Nice to see him playing centrally in this system. 

Eastleigh 0 Saints 2

Edwards has just come off for Amo-Ameyaw. He went straight down the tunnel. Downes into defence for now. Wood warming up. Not ideal.

Eastleigh 0 Saints 2

GOAL. 2-0. Armstrong with his second already. Races through on goal before tucking the ball into the bottom corner. Back like he never left.

Eastleigh 0 Saints 1

Amo-Ameyaw getting ready to be the first change of the game. 15 minutes on the clock.

Eastleigh 0 Saints 1

Just over from Smallbone after he receives a cut-back from Edozie. The winger is enjoying himself down the left. He's throwing step overs and sharp turns at his opponent and beating him every time. 

Eastleigh 0 Saints 1

Southampton almost have a second goal in as many minutes. Panter gets down quickly to block Dibling's low shot after a quick move.

Eastleigh 0 Saints 1

GOAL. Armstrong does get his goal. Comes from Aribo's cross from the left. Neat close-range finish. Strong start.

Eastleigh 0 Saints 0

Decent save from McDonnell denies Armstrong an early goal. Plenty of energy in Saints after a week of running.

Eastleigh 0 Saints 0

Very difficult to describe Southampton's setup at present. They are essentially playing a back three without wingbacks, instead opting for two extra midfielders. 

Eastleigh 0 Saints 0

JUST WIDE. Armstrong almost opens the scoring within 60 seconds.

Edozie squeezes between two defenders before cutting back for Arma. His bending shot is just past the far post.

Eastleigh 0 Saints 0

We are underway at the Silverlake Stadium. 

Dibling is starting over Lallana in this first half.

'Oh when the Saints go marching in' booms out for the first time this season. Kick-off is moments away.

Not long now 😆 pic.twitter.com/KKiGTaCjKy

— Eastleigh FC (@EastleighFC) July 19, 2024

📸 We're back! #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/A5K5EjDo0M

— Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) July 19, 2024