Eastleigh manager Kelvin Davis has expressed his frustration following his team’s 2-0 defeat to Oldham Athletic, admitting that the Spitfires “never got into the game.”
The result saw Oldham end a seven-match winless streak while reinforcing their National League play-off aspirations. For Eastleigh, the defeat was a setback in their own ambitions as they struggled to gain a foothold in the contest.
Early Goal Puts Eastleigh on the Back Foot
The hosts wasted little time in seizing control, with Billy Waters heading home from a corner after just eight minutes. Despite periods of resistance from Eastleigh, Oldham maintained their narrow lead until the latter stages of the match.
Jake Caprice doubled the advantage in the 73rd minute, calmly slotting the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to all but seal the victory. Any hopes of a late response were dashed when debutant Nathan Tshikuna received a red card in stoppage time, leaving Eastleigh with 10 men for the final moments.
Davis Left Frustrated
Reflecting on the defeat, Davis admitted his side had been second-best in crucial moments.
“It was an evening when they did the basics better than us. They put balls in positive areas and we never really dealt with that constant pressure.”
The manager highlighted his team’s failure to implement their game plan, conceding that Oldham dictated the tempo from the outset.
“From a game plan point of view, we didn’t really get going. Credit to them, they are a top team in the division and they showed us a lot of respect. They put us on the back foot from the first whistle.”
Despite the disappointment, Davis acknowledged that Eastleigh had created two clear-cut chances in the first half, only to see the hosts capitalise on a set-piece to take the lead.
“It’s disappointing because we didn’t put the performance in during basic moments, which is what turned the game and overruled on the night.”
Eastleigh will need to bounce back quickly as they look to stay in the hunt for a play-off spot. With key fixtures ahead, Davis will be hoping for a stronger response from his players in upcoming matches.
Writer’s View
Eastleigh’s inconsistency this season has been a recurring issue, and Tuesday’s defeat at Oldham was another example of their struggles to impose themselves away from home. While Davis’ side has shown glimpses of quality, their failure to manage key moments has cost them valuable points. With the National League play-off race intensifying, the Spitfires must find greater resilience if they are to challenge for promotion.
