Havant and Waterlooville have extended their unbeaten start to their Vanarama National League South season after a 1-0 win over Wealdstone in a game which provided non-stop entertainment. Pre-match manager Lee Bradbury made one change to the side which drew a blank against Dartford 48 hours prior as Matt Tubbs would give way for 19-year old Alfie Rutherford to return to the starting lineup.
The game would get off to a tentative start before the true ignition of the blue touch paper. It would be Wealdstone who would have the first chance of the game 8 minutes in as striker Elliot Benyon’s curling 25 years effort blazed over the crossbar. Within a matter of minutes the Hawks came close with an effort of their own as from a corner the ball would find Mike Carter who’s headed effort goes just over the bar.
It would take another quarter of an hour before the next Hawks opportunity came knocking as Alfie Rutherford’s quick throw found Mike Carter and the former Gosport man attempted the bicycle kick with his audacious effort going over.
But 8 minutes before half time the Hawks would break the deadlock after a free kick being awarded to the Hawks which resulted in Daniel Green going in the book. From that free kick around 30 yards from goal Theo Widdrington crossed in a peach of a ball screaming for a Hawks head and it would find the head of Theo Lewis who would rise like a salmon and head the ball in the centre of the onion bag for his 17th goal for the club. The Hawks fans, which numbered around 70 would erupt behind the goal as they took a 1-0 lead.
Almost straight from the kick-off though the Hawks were looking to double that advantage as Rory Williams’ effort would go just over. And in first half stoppage time Wealdstone would also have an effort on goal as the ball found Daniel Fitchett but his effort matched by Ryan Young in the Hawks goal.
HALF-TIME: Wealdstone 0-1 HAWKS
For all of the 922 in attendance the admission money was worth it as they were being treated to one fine game of football with the Hawks fans all the more happier to be leading by the odd goal.
The Hawks would make a early substitution as Lee Molyneuax made way for the birthday boy Ryan Woodford. But in a similar vain to the first half it would be Wealdstone who would have the first opportunity of the second half as with the ball into the penalty area Ryan Young pulled off two great saves including a magnificent block from Daniel Fitchett’s shot which kept the Hawks in front.
Minutes later the Hawks defence would be asked of once more as Fitchett played the ball into Oshodi and on the edge of the area, took a shot, but would be sailing its way over the bar. Then 10 minutes later Wealdstone would come close again as a cross in the area would find Benyon who would head wide however the linesman had his flag up for offside.
And it would be Wealdstone who continued to press in their surge for an equaliser but again the Hawks defence would stay resolute as Wealstone’s attacks of fire and fury would be met by the Hawks locked and loaded defence. This was shown once more 15 minutes from time when a free kick found Fithcett which forced a Stella reaction save from Ryan Young.
But the Hawks would still be offensive and would create promising opportunities of their own in what was a end to end game with the best of the efforts being after Rutherford’s impressive link up play to find Jason Prior with with his effort going just wide, being the closest the Hawks would come to scoring in what was a very tense and scrappy second half at Grosvenor Vale.
FULL-TIME: Wealdstone 0-1 HAWKS
So the unbeaten start continues for Lee Bradbury’s troops and post match he hailed a nervy win saying that Wealdstone “throw the kitchen sink at us but we defended very well, long throws into the box, they flooded the box and put loads of pressure on us but we defended resolutely, to a man we were great tonight as far as attitude. We didn’t play fantastic football but it was a good away performance and we came and got the goal, defended after that and kept a clean sheet.”
Next up is the visit of Bath City to Westleigh Park. The Romans will be looking to turn the corner after an indifferent start to their season. Kick off is at 3PM this Saturday and we hope to see as many Hawks fans attend as possible.
Henry Deacon
Henry Deacon Media 