Boss Richard Hill was brimming with pride after Eastleigh’s FA Cup fairytale continued with a 2-1 second-round victory over League One Reading.
The National League outfit defied a 36-place gap in the English football pyramid to reach the third round for the third time in their history.
Femi Azeez looked to have rescued the Royals a replay as his 86th-minute equaliser cancelled out Paul McCallum’s first at Silverlake.
But prolific striker McCallum was the hero as his winner deep in stoppage time – his 18th goal of the season – secured a trip to either Newport or Barnet.
“It feels fantastic,” Hill said. “There were 3,500 Eastleigh fans here today. You know I don’t get emotional, people call me dour and people tell me to smile, but that was big for this football club.
“I don’t celebrate goals, but that one at the end was special. You can’t blame me for that, I couldn’t help it.
“We were hanging on, second half, let’s make no bones about it.
“I knew we’d have to hang on. When they’re bringing on the cavalry, you know you’re in for a tough time. Our lads did great, they stood firm.
“I signed Macca here a couple of years ago in my second spell at the club. I’ve got a little bit more relaxed with him because he does what he does on match-days. On some days you have to let Macca be Macca.”
Hill continued: “I went to watch (Reading) on Tuesday (5-1 League One win over Carlisle). They made eight changes and it was helpful!
“I was glad Lewis Wing wasn’t starting and I was pleased to see Harlee Dean on the bench because he heads everything out of the box.
“I thought we had a chances against the two inexperienced centre-halves with Scott Quigley and Macca up front, and so it proved.”
The result marked the second time in three years the Royals have been dumped out by non-league opposition after their defeat to Kidderminster two seasons ago.
Boss Ruben Selles made eight changes for the cup tie and it came back to haunt him as they went crashing out.
Fans protested against owner Dai Yongge by throwing tennis balls and fake money onto the pitch in the 16th minute, symbolising the points deductions since he took charge.
Earlier this week, it emerged staff were only partially paid as the players received full wages to avoid another points deduction.
Selles said: “It’s disappointing. It’s a cup game, we went down in the first half, but we managed to get to 1-1 and create the chances and we didn’t take them.
“I wouldn’t change the team I picked. We have made changes this season. We beat Millwall, we were competitive against Ipswich, we were the most successful team in the EFL Trophy group stage. There’s no regret there.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t give the fans anything after they gave all their support.
“It is good to see they keep their faith in the team and supporting the boys. I am very grateful for that.
“I want to congratulate Eastleigh, they played their game and they were strong in the aerial duels. I wish them all the best.”
Milan 3-3 Genoa: Thiaw own goal denies Rossoneri in six-goal thriller
Milan were pegged back to a thrilling 3-3 draw by Genoa in Serie A on Sunday.
Second-half goals from Matteo Gabbia and Olivier Giroud put Milan on course for victory, but a late own goal from Malick Thiaw rescued a point for the visitors.
Genoa's Mateo Retegui converted a penalty five minutes in, but Milan equalised just before half-time through an Alessandro Florenzi header.
The visitors regained the lead three minutes into the second half, however, when Caleb Ekuban sent a towering header home.
Milan turned the game around in three minutes, as Gabbia headed home in the 72nd and Giroud scored the hosts' third of the match with a volley from an acute angle.
Yet Genoa continued to push and a cross into the Milan box was inadvertently turned into his own net by defender Thiaw.
Second-placed Milan have 71 points, six ahead of Juventus who play later on Sunday. Genoa are 12th with 43 points.
Data Debrief: Like a fine wine
Age really is just a number for Milan's veteran campaigner Giroud, who has scored 14 goals in Serie A this season.
It is his highest tally in a single league campaign since netting 16 for Arsenal in the Premier League in 2015-16.
Reggae Girlz forward Jody Brown graduates from Florida State University
Reggae Girl and Florida State University soccer star Jody Brown celebrated a significant milestone this past weekend as she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Humanities. At just 22 years old, Brown has achieved remarkable success both on the soccer field and in her academic pursuits.
Brown was among 101 student-athletes who graduated from FSU between last Friday and Saturday.
During her time at Florida State, Brown played a pivotal role in securing two National Division 1 Soccer titles in 2021 and 2023, adding to her impressive list of accolades. She was also part of four ACC Division One championship-winning teams in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, highlighting her exceptional talent and contribution to collegiate soccer.
Brown's impact extended beyond the field, as she excelled academically, culminating in her graduation this year. Reflecting on her university experience, Brown took to Instagram to express her gratitude and nostalgia: "Four years of unforgettable memories, lessons, and lifelong friendships. Thank you Florida State University."
Her Instagram post garnered warm congratulations from fellow Reggae Girlz teammates, including Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw, Kiki van Zanten, and Tiffany Cameron. Jamaican track and field icon Veronica Campbell Brown, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 200m, also joined in celebrating Brown's achievement.
Brown's journey from representing Jamaica at the age of 16 to competing in the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019 and 2023 underscores her dedication and talent both on and off the field. As she embarks on the next chapter of her career, Brown's achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and scholars alike, demonstrating the power of determination, resilience, and academic excellence in pursuit of one's goals.
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Bayer Leverkusen: Alonso's champions roll on
Bayer Leverkusen extended their unbeaten streak as they secured a 5-1 away victory at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga on Sunday.
The result leaves champions Leverkusen at the summit with 84 points, while Frankfurt sit sixth with 45.
Leverkusen's record unbeaten run, meanwhile, has now extended to 48 matches across all competitions.
Xabi Alonso's team opened the scoring through Granit Xhaka's bending strike from outside the box after 12 minutes.
Hugo Ekitike's perfectly timed header restored parity just after the half-hour mark, however.
Leverkusen retook the lead just before half-time through Patrik Schick's towering header.
It was 3-1 in the 58th minute, Exequiel Palacios converting a penalty after Niels Nkounkou pulled Nathan Tella by the shirt.
Jeremie Frimpong added a fourth for the visitors with 13 minutes remaining, tapping in from short distance, before the wing-back played a key role in Leverkusen's fifth, winning a penalty which was put away by Victor Boniface.
Data Debrief: Club history for free-scoring Leverkusen
Leverkusen have now scored 82 goals in this Bundesliga season, a new season record for the Werkself in the top flight.
They also lead the Bundesliga for the most goals from long-distance (11), most goals from set-pieces (23) and most goals in the final 15 minutes of matches (19).
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