WHO ARE THE SHOTS PLAYING?
Eastleigh FC, also known as The Spitfires. Founded in 1946 as Swaythling Athletic.
WHERE IS THE MATCH BEING PLAYED?
At The Silverlake Stadium. Capacity (5,192 (2,700 seated).
HOW DID THEY DO LAST SEASON?
Last season Eastleigh finished in 9th position in the National League. A strong finish saw them pushing hard for a Play-Off place right up until the final week, but they missed out in the end by three points and two places.
HOW DID SHOTS GET ON AGAINST THEM LAST SEASON?
Eastleigh had the better of the two meetings last season. At the Silverlake, the Shots dominated the match and should probably have taken all three points but a 90th minute leveller by Alex Wynter (added to Joe Tomlinson’s first half penalty) meant that the points were shared in a 2-2 draw, with Aldershot’s goals coming via Craig Tanner’s memorable free-kick and Alfy Whittingham’s cushioned header.
WHO’S THEIR GAFFER?:
Eastleigh are managed by former EFL striker Ben Strevens, best known for his spells at Barnet, Dagenham & Redbridge and Wycombe Wanderers. He joined the Eastleigh coaching staff in 2016 as Player/Assistant Manager under Chris Todd. He then left to join Whitehawk in the National League South where he had a spell as Player/Caretaker Manager. He re-joined Eastleigh in 2017, retiring from playing at the end of that season to join the coaching staff at the Spitfires. He took over from Andy Hessenthaler in October 2018, originally as Caretaker Manager, with his first game the 2-1 defeat to Aldershot at the Silverlake Stadium. He was given the job full-time a month later and went on to steer Eastleigh to the end of season play-offs in that first season. He has subsequently led the Spitfires to 16th and 9th place finishes. This season, Eastleigh currently occupy 15th place, with 24 points from 16 matches.
WHO’S DEPARTED?
Jack Payne and Joe Tomlinson both moved up to the EFL with Crawlwy Town and Peterborough United respectively. Pierce Bird signed for Kings Lynn. Other departees included a dozen players that were released, including Tom Bearwish who is now at Weymouth.
WHO’S STAYED?
Eleven players remain at the Silverlake including; goalkeepers Joe McDonnell and Ross Flitney, Defenders Andrew Boyce and Alex Wynter, Wingers Sam Smart & Ryan Hill and Strikers Tyrone Barnett and Ben House.
WHO’S ARRIVED?
Strevens has brought in fifteen new faces this season including Right Back Josh Hare (Leyton Orient) & Left Back Michael Kelly (Bristol Rovers), Midfielders Harry Pritchard (Bradford City) & Tom Whelan (Chesterfield) and Striker Danny Whitehall (Kilmarnock).
ANY EX-SHOTS?
Ben House is a former Shots Youth player.
WHO’S GOT THE WHISTLE?
Saturday’s referee is Matthew Russell. This season, he has taken charge of 11 National League matches, showing 33 Yellow Cards and 3 Red Cards. He took the middle in Eastleigh’s 4-1 home victory over Dover earlier this season, but hasn’t refereed the Shots as yet in the 2021-22 season.
WHERE TO FOLLOW THE MATCH:
If you are not going to The Silverlake, there will be live online commentary of the game via BBC Radio Surrey Sport or the BBC Sport App, with Rob Worrall & a Guest Summariser (TBC). There will also be Social Media coverage on Instagram & Twitter (@OfficialShots) with team news, updates and post-match coverage throughout.
