EASTLEIGH's under-19s emerged victorious in Wednesday evening's National League Cup final after a 2-1 win over Tamworth.

Played at St George’s Park, Spitfires’ winger Freddie Beale scored the winner deep into the first half, and Eastleigh stood strong to claim victory throughout the second period.

Eastleigh’s Barney Stone converted his 32nd goal of the season in just 21 games to cap off an excellent individual performance at the home of England FA. 

The first chance fell to Eastleigh on seven minutes when Beale brought the ball down on the edge of the area and struck powerfully into the arms of Tamworth keeper Max Porter.

The biggest chance of the opening half-hour fell to Spitfires striker Stone. The number 9 was picked out beautifully in behind the Tamworth defence.

Stone found himself one-on-one with Porter, however, his low-driven shot was met equally by the Tamworth keeper who got down exceptionally well to thwart the danger.

It was déjà vu five minutes later as Stone found himself through on goal once more after a perfectly weighted through pass from Beale to draw first blood. 

Tamworth’s response was instantaneous, and on 42 minutes they found themselves level when Charlie Edge’s cross deflected home via Spitfires defender Sol Ceesay.

But Beale shone throughout the half and was duly rewarded when he cooly slotted home giving the Spitfires a crucial 2-1 lead at the interval.

Spitfires’ keeper Sam White came up with a sensational double stop on 57 minutes to keep his side in the lead. Lucas Brown cut inside the Eastleigh area before launching a low curler to White’s right-hand side.

The number one could only parry it as far as Lambs’ attacker Isaac Redding who followed in instinctively. Somehow, White recovered, got across and made himself big which meant that Redding fired straight into the goalkeeper’s midriff.

With just 15 minutes left, White was called into action once more as Tamworth pushed for a late equaliser with Redding’s low, bending effort from the edge of the area.

Eastleigh, coached by the highly-rated Jason Brookes, stood strong and weathered a late Tamworth surge to claim their first-ever National League Cup.

After winning the cup, the Spitfires will now face Maidstone United in the Champion of Champions trophy at the Arbour Park Stadium later this month.