Reporter - Gibbo

For the second consecutive week Heartlands United played with a reduced number of players as the club again enforced player suspensions for breach of contract. This is again the frustrating outcome as the team management continue to prioritise results off the pitch.

With just 8 players in a 4-3 formation the result on the pitch was of course a fore-gone conclusion – Giibo the Heratlands United Manager again forced to play in goal takes up the story.

We started brightly but after 20 minutes we conceded 3 quick goals. Some heads started to drop but some good motivation from Tyler and Michael as they started to play football again and created a few chances of out own, which seemed to shake Eastleigh up a little.

George (borrowed for the game) especially was playing some superb football. Reece had a funny couple of minutes towards the end of the 1st half and at half time we were 5-0 down. Half time team talk was to basically carry on as the score does not matter but how we adapt ourselves to the situation in front of us and keep going.

Eastleigh could see some of the guys legs were going so started to play a 2-4-4 formation so over running the centre of the pitch! The goals came thick and fast for Eastleigh as we carried on trying to play our own style of attacking football-leaving gaps at the back. There are only so many 1 on 1 that I could keep out out! 15 minutes from the end and with the score at 10-0 we got what we finally deserved, a GOAL! Tyler Hughes popping up in the box to finish off a good run from Taylor. Goals started going in at both ends as both teams kept up attacking each other with some great football being played.

Michael Kelly popped another in for us with a sublime finish at the near post. Into the last couple of minutes and with the score at 14-2 a route one kick from myself bamboozled the defence and after 2 bounces Tyler Hughes finished with a sweet volley into the corner. With literally the last kick of the game Eastleigh scored again to make the final score 15-3. We may have lost but we seemed the happier of the 2 teams, as they were more concerned about conceding 3 goals to 8 players! Attitude, especially in the 2nd half when it was all guns blazing were brilliant. Kept going to the final whistle and I couldn't have asked for more from the lads who turned up. Mick turned up and watched the 2nd half and was also happy with the lads.

On a football note, I totally believe that with a full team we will definitely cause other teams some problems and that we would have at least 4 points (maybe 6) and not just the one we have on the board at the moment.

Again though, the attitude of the guys who turned up was excellent and a massive improvement on last season. I truly believe they are heading in the right direction and keeping them on this track is now going to be the challenge!