DANNY Gibbons produced a gutsy performance to warrant being awarded man-of-the-match for Bashley, despite Craig Davis scoring a hat-trick, as they opened their home league campaign with an impressive win over newly promoted Eastleigh.

It was the second Bash hat-trick in their opening two games, following Tony Wallis's treble on Saturday at Dartford.

The New Foresters, who only lost two league matches at home last season, got off to the best possible start, netting after only a minute and five seconds.

Gibbons's powerful surge to the byline paid dividends as squeezed the ball into the box for Dave Wakefield to force over the line through goalkeeper Colin Matthews's legs. Mat Jones almost made it two after nine minutes, but saw his header cleared off the line.

Barry Blankley's side were on top at this stage but former Bash striker Paul Sales almost inevitably levelled matters mid-way through the half with a well-taken header.

At the other end another superb piece of forceful enthusiasm from Gibbons ended with a timely ball into the path of Davis, who finished off a sweeping Arsenal-like manouvre, striking a half-volley into the net's top corner.

Eastleigh came out in the second half and threatened an equaliser, but at the other end Wallis produced a right-wing cross for Davis to nod home at the far post for a two-goal advantage.

The Bash camp were hoping for a decent turn-out to get their home league campaign underway and a 380 crowd didn't disappoint them. The majority went home delighted following another Bashley goal in which Gibbons was involved again. David Asker brought down the workmanlike Gibbons resulting in a penalty, which Davis despatched with precision.

Bash: Arthur, Connolly, Wakefield, Mark Jones, Mat Jones, Cook, Gee, Davis, Gibbons, Wallis (Gillespie 74), Lister. Unused subs: Cherrett, Elm, Gazzard, Quirke.