Eastleigh manager Gray questions demanding National League schedule

Eastleigh manager Matt Gray is frustrated by a schedule that sends his side on two long away trips in three days, a challenge for a team with just one away win since August.

Eastleigh manager Matt Gray has questioned the demanding National League schedule his side faces this week. The comments follow a vital 4-2 home win over Boston United on Saturday 24 October that ended a four-match winless run and lifted the Spitfires to 15th in the National League on 18 points after 14 games, a record of five wins, three draws and six losses.

Aaron Blair's hat-trick was the foundation of the victory at the Silverlake Stadium. Dion Rankine added a stunning left-footed volley from outside the box to seal the three points, with Nick Townsend making several important saves after coming on early for the injured Lennon Wheeldon. The result marked a second consecutive win, following a 3-2 victory over Brentwood Town on Saturday 17 October, and provides a boost ahead of a difficult run of away fixtures.

Gray's scheduling concerns

Gray expressed his bafflement at the fixture list, which sees Eastleigh travel to Forest Green on Wednesday 28 October before embarking on a 600-plus mile round trip to face Barrow just three days later. The manager believes such a congested schedule of long journeys hampers his team's ability to perform consistently on the road. Eastleigh have managed only one away victory in the National League since August, a record they will be desperate to improve upon during this challenging period. The team's recent form shows two wins, one draw, and two losses from their last five matches, placing them 20 points behind leaders Boreham Wood in the standings. With 18 goals scored and 22 conceded this season, finding defensive solidity on their travels will be key.

The immediate focus is the trip to face Forest Green, who currently sit 17th in the table. This match comes as part of a recent run that also included a 2-0 loss at AFC Hornchurch, a 1-3 home defeat to Woking, and a 1-1 draw with Southend. Eastleigh then face the lengthy journey to Cumbria to take on Barrow, continuing a tough sequence of games that will test the squad's depth and resilience.

Background and full detail: dailyecho.co.uk