Eastleigh look to fix away form after first home defeat

Thursday 8 October 2026 · By Kevin Ollerton

Eastleigh’s unbeaten home record in the Enterprise National League came to an end last weekend. Now Matt Gray’s side must find a way to pick up points on the road when they travel to Hornchurch on Saturday.

Woking won 3–1 at the Silverlake Stadium, coming from behind to inflict a first home league defeat of the season on the Spitfires. Aaron Blair gave Eastleigh the lead on 11 minutes, but John Marquis equalised from the penalty spot before half-time. Blair then had a penalty of his own saved by Woking goalkeeper Will Jääskeläinen, and Liam Dulson scored twice in the second half to win it for the visitors.

It was a frustrating afternoon after a spirited midweek display. On Wednesday 30 September, Eastleigh drew 1–1 with third-placed Southend United, Temi Eweka heading in an 89th-minute equaliser after Promise Omochere had put the visitors ahead.

Gray spoke to the club’s media after the Woking defeat, and the challenge for his side is clear. At home, Eastleigh have been hard to beat, with three wins, three draws and just the one defeat. Away from home, however, they have won only once in five league games, losing the other four.

That imbalance explains why Eastleigh sit 17th in the table, on 15 points from 12 matches. They have scored 14 goals and conceded 18, and their recent form shows one win in their last six games. But the division is tight: they are only five points outside the play-off places, and three points behind Saturday’s opponents Hornchurch.

Gray has had little time to shape the squad. He was appointed on 14 May, following an interim spell in charge by Richard Hill, and took over a side that had finished 17th last season. Improving on that position is the immediate aim, and the home form suggests the foundations are in place.

Blair’s goal against Woking was another sign of his importance to the side, and the penalty miss will not diminish his contribution. Eastleigh will need goals from across the team if they are to turn draws into wins, particularly away from home.

Hornchurch have lost two of their last three league games, both 3–0 away from home, but they beat Aldershot Town at home on 29 September. The Urchins have won six and lost six of their 12 league games, without a draw, so Saturday’s game is likely to produce a winner.

After that, Eastleigh host Brentwood Town in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round on the weekend of 17 October. The league then resumes with the visit of Boston United on Saturday 24 October, before a trip to Forest Green Rovers on Wednesday 28 October.

Those fixtures give Eastleigh an opportunity to build some momentum. Two home games could help them recover from the Woking setback, while the trips to Hornchurch and Forest Green will test whether they can improve their record on the road.

If Gray can find a way to turn his side’s home resilience into results away from the Silverlake, Eastleigh have every chance of climbing the table in the weeks ahead. Saturday would be a good place to start.

Ten Acres

Ten Acres, sponsored as the Silverlake Stadium, is the home of Eastleigh Football Club on Stoneham Lane, tucked between Southampton Airport, the M27 and Lakeside Country Park. The Spitfires have played here since 1957. Capacity is about 5,200, with more than 3,000 seats after the Mackoy Community Stand opened in 2014 and the Main Stand was later extended. For visiting supporters it is a compact National League ground: easy to read once you are inside, a little awkward to reach by car, and generally welcoming if you buy tickets in advance.

Away fans are usually placed in the east side of the Mackoy Community Stand at the south end, with an allocation of around 500 seats for a typical fixture and more when demand is high. That stand is tall and covered, so the view of the grass is good, though a couple of supporting pillars sit near the front. For many games the club also opens the southern part of the covered East Terrace, which came from Exeter Chiefs’ old Sandy Park stand. That gives you a choice between sitting behind the goal and standing along the touchline. Confirm the exact blocks and turnstiles on your ticket; away entry is often through turnstiles 1–4 or 10–11 depending on the crowd.

The rest of the bowl is straightforward. The West Stand is the Main Stand: covered seating, press box and dugouts along the touchline. Opposite it the East Terrace is only a few steps high but fully covered, with a television gantry on the roof. At the north end the Shed is a shorter covered terrace behind the clubhouse goal and is the home singing area. On quieter days home supporters can move around for food and toilets; terrace ticket holders should stay out of seated blocks. When a crowd over 3,000 is expected the club may impose a non-migration rule and will say so before kick-off.

Tickets are sold online and from the ticket office, not at the turnstiles. Buy in advance if you can. Turnstiles typically open 90 minutes before kick-off. There is an away kiosk and bar on segregated matchdays, with pies (including vegetarian and vegan options), hot food and both alcoholic and soft drinks. Cash and card are widely accepted. Facilities are basic but close to the away section, which matters if you are standing on the East Terrace in wet weather.

Getting there needs a little planning. Southampton Airport Parkway is the nearest station, about 20–25 minutes on foot through Lakeside Country Park. By road the ground sits off Stoneham Lane from M27 junction 5 or M3 junction 13. The main stadium car park is reserved for seasonal pass holders and Blue Badge holders who have contacted the club in advance. Matchday parking is in the Lower Hardmoor field behind the south stand, reached via the road by the motorway bridge on Stoneham Lane, usually £10 cash or card, first come first served. After full time the car parks close for about 10–15 minutes so pedestrians can leave; when they reopen, turn left. Street parking nearby is limited and restricted. Coaches and minibuses should email the club first.

The ground is flat and relatively easy for supporters with limited mobility, though the away seated stand is steep and the terrace has steps. Blue Badge spaces in the main car park must be booked. Stewards are used to National League away followings and the atmosphere is competitive rather than hostile. Check eastleighfc.com before you travel for the latest ticket map, turnstile numbers and whether the East Terrace is open to visitors. Arrive early if you want a particular seat or a space at Lower Hardmoor, and give yourself time for the walk from the station if you come by train.