FOOTBALL: BEMERTON Heath Harle-quins suffered a seven-goal humiliation when a rampant Eastleigh visited Western Way.
The champions-elect comfortably stretched their lead at the top of the table to 11 points. The writing was on the wall in the first minute when Heath's Colin Hopkins made an exceptional save, spreading himself to block David Asker's shot.
Eastleigh's experience showed and when Adam Nash lost the ball, a first class move resulted down the right. Ex-Saint Nicky Banger's cross was met first time by Robbie Matthews to open the scoring with a clinical finish.
Hopkins kept Heath in the game with another good save as Banger got free. Gary Burden then showed his all round ability by putting in a superb tackle on Asker as he tried to run through.
With all this pressure, it was no surprise when Eastleigh doubled their lead on 31 minutes.
Banger controlled a difficult ball and passed into the path of another ex-Southampton man, David Hughes, who fired home.
Banger, who proved to be a handful, added a third just before half-time with a neat header from Jimmy Anderson's cross.
The second half turned into an Eastleigh goal feast as they tore Bemerton to shreds.
On the hour Darren Harding conceded a penalty for handball and Matthews promptly swept home the spot kick.
Four minutes later Anderson broke down the left, cut inside and shot under Hopkins.
The 'Quins made substitutions, but it did not stem the tide.
Anderson headed home number six from a left wing corner.
Asker then broke clear, but his effort was terrifically pushed away by the keeper.
Matthews completed his hat-trick with a blistering finish after another great run down the left.
In the 90th minute Eastleigh 'keeper, Colin Matthews, received an ironic cheer when he saved his first shot after a rare Bemerton attack.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article