EASTLEIGH host Southend in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round, with a spot in the prestigious First Round Proper on the line.
An all National League tie, these two sides met on league duties just over a month ago with the result a 2-0 victory for Southend in Essex. Midfielder Jack Bridge would score and assist in the first half, in his only goal contributions of the season so far.
The sides’ league fortunes have been similar since with both only winning once since the 10th of September. The Spitfires sat 4th at the time, and have since dropped to 7th.
Both enter this stage of the competition as their first, in a cup that Eastleigh have recent success in, just minutes away from a dream tie against Manchester United. The Spitfires flew too close to the Cup sun, and lost out to Newport after Paul McCallum forced a replay.
Southend’s cup story has been less than fruitful for a decade with 11 years since the Shrimpers’ mazy run to the fourth round, falling to Premier League side and eventual runners up Hull City
Southend Head Coach Kevin Maher said “We absolutely need progression, and it is still a great competition”
This round will be the last with the possibility of a replay, following the 2024/25 changes to one-legged ties for the first round onwards.
Maher added: “The competition has changed….. It might have lost a bit of that. [Prestigious nature]”
Should this match end level, a replay would take place at Roots Hall on this upcoming Tuesday night. The draw for the First Round takes place at Bradford City on Monday night.
