The match started slowly, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut opportunities in the opening stages. Havant’s Callum Kealy was particularly lively in the final third, showing plenty of intent but finding himself caught offside on three separate occasions. Despite these early frustrations, the Hawks began to grow into the game, with Kealy and Maloney at the heart of their attacking efforts. Kealy came close after receiving a long ball over the top of the Chertsey defence, but he lost control at a crucial moment, allowing the visitors to clear their lines.

Havant’s best chance of the first half came when Maloney delivered a precise cross into the box for Kealy, whose effort was saved by Chertsey goalkeeper Jupp. Minutes later, Kealy again found himself one-on-one with Jupp, but the linesman’s flag once more ruled out his strike for offside. Chertsey offered little in response, with their only significant chance coming in the 29th minute, when McCoy failed to connect with a cross from the right, missing a golden opportunity to give the visitors the lead.

The first half ended goalless, with Havant looking the more likely to break the deadlock.

Half time: Havant and Waterlooville FC 0 – 0 Chertsey Town FC

The second half saw a marked improvement from the home side, who began to assert their dominance. In the 53rd minute, Kealy finally got his reward. Latching onto a through ball from Maloney, he lofted the ball over Jupp and into the net, despite protests from the Chertsey supporters who believed he was offside. The linesman’s decision to overrule the offside call stood, and Havant took a deserved 1-0 lead.

Kealy continued to threaten, nearly doubling his tally after beating the offside trap once again, but Jupp was equal to the task, pulling off another crucial save. However, Havant’s persistence paid off in the 79th minute when Harvey Bradbury, with excellent vision, found Ryan Seager in space. With Jupp rushing out to close him down, Seager coolly slotted the ball into the net to make it 2-0.

As the game entered its final stages, Chertsey’s frustrations became evident. In the 85th minute, a chaotic scramble in the box resulted in Jupp being sent off after a collision with Bradbury, who received a yellow card for his involvement. With no substitute goalkeeper available, Chertsey were forced to put outfield player Little in goal for the remainder of the match.

Havant capitalised on the disruption, and in the 90th minute, substitute Swann, who had made an immediate impact since coming on, delivered a perfect cross to the back post where Bradbury was waiting to tap home the Hawks’ third goal.

The final whistle was met with celebrations from the home fans, as Havant & Waterlooville sealed a convincing 3-0 victory. The result marks a significant step forward for the Hawks, who showed improved cohesion and clinical finishing in the second half. With this win, Havant continues to build momentum and are hopeful for what lies ahead. 

Full time: Havant and Waterlooville FC 3 – 0 Chertsey Town FC

Havant and Waterlooville: Dudzinski (GK), Stanley, Livesey-Austin, Atangana, McNerney (C), Willson, Whittingham, Seager (Lee 90’), Maloney (Swann 80’), Kealy (Bradbury 73’), Dockerill

Unused Subs: Walker-Harris (GK), Jallow

Goals: Kealy 70′, Seager 79’, Bradbury 90’

Cautions: Whittingham 45+3′, Bradbury 86′

Chertsey Town: Jupp (GK), Lee, Fisher, Robertson (C) , Duffy, Neville, Lynch (Ompreon 67’), Birch (Little 78’), Mazzone (Botti 80’), Montague, McCoy (Degand 78’)

Unused Subs: Mason Welch-Turner

Cautions: Birch 21’

Sent Off: Jupp 85′