Paul McCallum’s sixth-minute strike proved decisive as Eastleigh secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Tamworth at the Silverlake Stadium. The early goal set the tone for a tense and physical encounter, with both sides accumulating a flurry of yellow cards.
The Spitfires ignited the match early on. A well-constructed move in the sixth minute culminated in McCallum finding space inside the penalty area to fire home and give the hosts the lead. Stung by the early setback, Tamworth responded with increased urgency, pressing higher and forcing Eastleigh into several hurried clearances. However, their attacking endeavours were hampered by a lack of precision in the final third, failing to seriously test the Eastleigh goalkeeper.
The remainder of the first half became increasingly fragmented, with referee Ryan Atkin issuing four cautions – two to each side. Eastleigh’s Niall Maher and Ludwig Francillette, along with Tamworth’s George Morrison and Ben Acquaye, were all booked for robust challenges. Despite the stop-start nature of the play, Eastleigh maintained their composure and defensive organisation, limiting Tamworth to half-chances.
The second half mirrored the first, with both teams battling for control in midfield. Tamworth introduced three substitutes, injecting fresh legs into their midfield and attack in a bid to find an equaliser. Eastleigh responded with their own tactical substitutions, aiming to reinforce their defence and protect their slender advantage. While the changes brought a renewed energy to the game, neither side could carve out any clear-cut opportunities.
The closing stages saw further cautions for both teams, with Tamworth receiving three more yellow cards and Eastleigh picking up two. Despite a late surge from the visitors, Eastleigh’s defence held firm, securing all three points and extending their league tally to 16, solidifying their position towards the top of the table. The defeat leaves Tamworth languishing in the lower reaches of the National League. This victory marks a positive start for Eastleigh in their renewed league rivalry with Tamworth after several seasons apart.