First Half:
The Hawks began the game on the front foot piling pressure on the Stones back line causing the visitors to make some early defensive mistakes. The Hawks almost took an early lead in the 9th minute after a great lofted through-ball from new signing Kwaku Donkor into the feet of Ryan Seager who took his chance, but the ball went over the bar. Maidstone began to look the stronger team, continuously winning back possession and taking advantage to move further up the pitch to create some attacking threat, but the contribution of Brendon Willson and Joe McNerney gave the Hawks some solidarity in defence to prevent any further pressure. The Hawks were given a free kick in a dangerous area, Jack Jebb whipped the ball into the box but a powerful punch from Lucas Covolan took it out for a corner. The visitors suddenly almost took the lead after a quick counterattack found Matt Rush on the left-hand side of the box and striking the ball across goal, but a diving save from Ross Worner prevented the lead.
The game came to a halt after Ross Worner went down and had to be seen by the medical staff but fortunately was able to continue. Rory Deacon almost found the ball in the back of the net after driving forward from deep in the midfield to find himself with enough space to take a strike from distance, but the ball narrowly missed the frame of the goal. Chances began to come easier with James Roberts with an incredible solo run with the ball wriggling in between defenders was able to create an attacking threat but unfortunately couldn’t get the shot on. The visitors found the lead in the 37th minute after one long pass from skipper Sam Corne found Matt Rush who had a 1 on 1 with Worner, slotting the ball into the bottom left corner. The Stones almost dispatched a second goal seconds before half time, but Timmy Abraham couldn’t get on to the end of the cross.
Half Time: Havant & Waterlooville 0 – 1 Maidstone United
Second Half:
The Hawks began the second half on the back foot but made life difficult after a defensive error handed Maidstone an opportunity to find a second but luckily the flag was raised by the linesman to keep the score a one goal difference. Jephte Tanga displayed his skills weaving through the Hawks defence and playing a pass into the feet of Sam Bone taking a strike from the centre of the box, but Ross Worner made another diving save to keep the Hawks in the game. Lamar Reynolds took a crack at goal from a close range, but Worner showed his skill to keep the ball out again as Maidstone looked an attacking threat in the early stages of the second half.
The Hawks found the equaliser by Ryan Seager after Maidstone failed to clear the ball out allowing the number 9 to smash the ball into the back of the net. Minutes after the equaliser Maidstone were a fraction away from taking the lead again after Timmy Abraham curled a low effort but Ross Worner pushed wide for the Hawks to clear the ball out. The Hawks then suddenly found a second goal making it a brace for Ryan Seager, the striker and Rory Deacon with some great link up play opened the Stones’ defence and Seager found the ball in the centre of the box and an excellent fake shot tricked the defence and he slotted the ball into the roof of the net in the 75th minute. Havant began to gain a lot more confidence and a huge attacking threat and Seager almost got the hat trick following a goalmouth scramble left Lucas Covolan making a couple of great diving saves to keep hold of the ball. Muhammadu Faal came on to replace Seager and made an instant impact finding the ball in the centre of the box attempting a flick but missed the frame of the goal; the visitors began to show their frustration. The Stones took their chances late on but thanks to Ross Worner who has played a pivotal role keeping the Hawks in the game made another tremendous save to keep the Hawks in the lead.
Full Time: Havant & Waterlooville 2 – 1 Maidstone United
Havant & Waterlooville Starting XI:
Worner (GK), Innocent, Donkor, McNerny (Phillips 55’), Morgan, Seager (Faal 82’), Willson, Jewitt-White, Jebb (Spence 64’), Deacon (C), Roberts
Maidstone United Starting XI:
Covolan (GK), Fowler, Brown, Abraham, Corne (C), Reynolds, Appiah, Kyprianou, Bone, Tanga, Rush
REPORT BY OLLIE TURNER