Enterprise National League
1 - 0
Sat 15 Aug
Aggborough Stadium
EastleighHARRIERS produced the perfect response to their opening-day defeat as substitute Levi Amantchi struck to secure a thoroughly deserved 1-0 victory over Eastleigh at Aggborough. Paul Wotton’s side controlled their first home game of the National League season from start to finish, combining a composed performance with the hard work needed to keep the visitors at bay throughout. Harriers applied pressure from the outset and won a succession of early corners without threatening early. Richard Faakye then made good progress before David Davis crossed towards Reece Hall at the far post in the 16th minute. Hall directed both a header and a follow-up effort towards goal, but the ball was deflected behind. Callum Dolan was next to threaten three minutes later, cutting inside and quickly letting fly, only to lift his attempt over the crossbar. Harriers continued moving the ball confidently and created another opening in the 20th minute. Reece Devine reached the byline and delivered a tight cross towards Hall, whose latest effort was also diverted behind. The hosts remained firmly in control and almost found their breakthrough shortly before the interval. Davis did well to bring down a high free-kick inside the area, allowing Faakye to pounce and strike a quick shot that Nick Townsend held. Harriers resumed their forward momentum after the break. Hall did brilliantly to carry the ball along the byline in the 55th minute, but was eventually crowded out as he tried to create an opening at the far post. Devine came inside and tried his luck from distance three minutes later, though his effort flew a little too high. The pressure increased as the second half wore on. Seb Thompson’s corner was met by Angus MacDonald in the 70th minute, but the defender’s diving header angled narrowly wide of the far post. An even better opportunity arrived five minutes later when the ball dropped to Ethan Moore at the far post. Moore stretched to make contact and beat Townsend, only to see his effort strike the woodwork. The deserved breakthrough finally arrived in the 78th minute. Callum Stewart produced an excellent piece of play out wide before keeping his composure and sliding the ball across the penalty area for Amantchi, who finished just moments after coming on. It was no more than Harriers deserved after a controlled and hard-working display, with six minutes of added time seen out with minimum fuss. Images by Adrian Hoskins