City fall short in seven-goal thriller.

Oxford City 2

Potter 72'

Lumeka 90+4'

Eastleigh 5

McCallum 1', 7'

Francilette 10'

Quigley 38'

Taylor 50'

In a crazy match at the RAW Charging Stadium, three goals inside the opening twelve minutes did the damage, as Oxford City were beaten 5-2 against Eastleigh.

Paul McCallum's brace was followed by Ludwig Francilette's header from a corner to compound City's misery within the opening few minutes of the fixture.

Goals from Scott Quigley & Jake Taylor put the visitor's 5-0 ahead in the contest, meaning that City's eventual fightback was not enough on the night.

Selection

For the first time this season, Ross Jenkins named an entirely unchanged squad from Saturday's 0-0 draw with Southend United.

First-Half

It took just 50 seconds for the net to bulge. A cross from the right-wing flashed across the six-yard box and Paul McCallum was in the right place at the right time to tap home the opener.

Furthermore, just six minutes later, Eastleigh (and McCallum) had another goal. This time a catalogue of errors led to Tom Watson's clearance smashing Brooklyn Kabongolo in the back.

From there, Quigley acted quickest to stab the ball across the box to find the Vanarama National League's top goalscorer for another tap-in.

Those two goals stunned the Hoops and on twelve minutes it was 3-0. This time Ben Reeve's corner was sent into the box and Ludwig Francilette's header found the net, after a nick off Giles Phillips' head.

City then began to grow into the game despite the slow start, but they couldn't keep another goal out of the net.

Quigley was the next to find the target, turning his man inside the box and burying a shot into the net.

Second-Half

Ross Jenkins didn't hesitate when making changes at the interval. Alfie Potter & Levi Lumeka were both introduced at the break in a bid to salvage some pride.

However, Eastleigh went on to make it 5-0. Nigel Atangana's long ball into the right-channel set Jake Taylor through on goal, and the Spitfire's captain made no mistake when one on one with Watson.

If it wasn't already, the game was definitely gone. However, the Hoops continued to push until the very end.

Potter eventually gave City a consolation goal to celebrate when he swept home Josh Parker's cross from inside the box with twenty minutes to go. 

Although, perhaps the Hoops could've reduced the arrears further when they were awarded a penalty in the 84th minute.

Eastleigh defender George Langston accidentally handled the ball inside the area, and referee James Durkin pointed to the spot with no hesitation.

However, the spot-kick summed up City's evening. Josh Parker, (who is usually so reliable from the spot) blazed his penalty over the crossbar.

Nevertheless, City kept pressing. Lewis Coyle's fierce drive was tipped onto the crossbar by Eastleigh 'keeper Joe McDonnell, Reece Fleet saw two of his efforts fly inches wide of the post, and Jacob Roddy almost scored a superb goal when his cross was tipped over the bar by the 'keeper.

Although, City weren't to be denied a second. In additional time, Lumeka found space in side the box, and Giles Phillips' vision spotted the winger's run.

Lumeka then planted a shot into the back of the net to make it 5-2, and give the scoreline a slightly better feel.

Another tough night in OX3, next up, the longest away trip of the season as the Hoops travel to Gateshead.

Match Details

Attendance: 511 (147 Eastleigh)

Oxford City Starting XI: 

Watson; Burley, Phillips, Kabongolo; Roddy (Coyle 70); Fleet, Smith (Lumeka 46') Williams-Bushell (Potter 46'), Ashby, Greenslade; Parker. 

Subs not used: Humphrey-Ewers, Fonkeu

Eastleigh XI: 

McDonnell, Atangana, Francilette, Reeves (Croll 90'), Taylor (C), McCallum (Boldewijn 79), Langston, Hodson, Nwabokei (Maguire 63'), Quigley, Rutherford

Subs not used: Scott, Longe-King