Eastleigh host Brentwood Town in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round at Silverlake Stadium this Saturday. The Spitfires will be aiming for a cup upset to lift spirits after a difficult run of form in the National League.
Recent league struggles
Eastleigh have lost two of their last three league games and have not kept a clean sheet in nine consecutive matches. Their most recent outing was a 2-0 defeat away to AFC Hornchurch last Saturday. That result leaves the club 17th in the National League, with 15 points from 13 games and a goal difference of minus six.
Their last five league results show just one win, one draw, and three losses. The sequence includes a 1-3 home loss to Woking and a heavy 4-1 defeat at Harrogate Town. The only victory in that stretch was a 1-0 win over Carlisle at the Silverlake in mid-September. The team's defensive record will be a key concern for supporters heading into the cup tie.
Looking ahead
A positive cup run could provide a welcome distraction from league concerns. The prize for victory is a place in the First Round proper of the competition. After the cup clash, Eastleigh's attention returns to the National League with a home fixture against Boston United on October 24th. Boston currently sit 21st in the table, making it an important match in the league calendar. The club will hope to use the cup as a springboard to improve their league position.
