The Hawks faced Wallingford and Crowmarsh at Westleigh Park in the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday looking to advance into the next round. The Hawks came into the fixture making only one change from the 1-1 draw against Totton on Monday, with on loan midfielder Keane Anderson entering the fold to replace the injured Nigel Atangana. Other notable absentees were Ryan Seager, Reuben Austin and Reuben Swann but Kaya Tshaka returned to the squad and was available from the bench. 

The match started with Havant dominating possession but they struggled to really find any clear-cut chances early due to Wallingford’s consistent pressure on the ball. However, the Hawks got their first real opportunity on goal in the 15th minute, courtesy of Leon Maloney. A lovely inviting cross from Anderson found the head of the winger in the six-yard box but his diving effort forced a fine save from Alex Pratt. The rebound fell to Harvey Bradbury but the forward unfortunately fired over from the goalkeeper’s parry. 

Just moments later, Shaun North’s men almost broke the deadlock once again after a cross shot from Maloney almost caught Pratt out, as he tipped the ball onto the bar from the looping delivery. 

The pressure continued to be piled on from the home side as a fine pass from the captain Joe McNerney found Maloney, who had been involved thoroughly. He drove inside to find Whittingham but his left footed strike sailed wide of the post with a similar effort happening moments later from midfielder Josh Dockerill from the other side of the area.

Just before the break, Wallingford skipper David Lynn was booked for a rough challenge on Anderson on the edge of the area. Maloney stepped up to take the resulting set-piece but his attempt was fired just over.

The Hawks went into the break having been kept out by a defiant defensive display from the away side but surely with the feeling that the game was there for the taking.

HALF TIME: Havant and Waterlooville 0-0 Wallingford and Crowmarsh

After the interval, Havant started with intent with Dockerill firing over from the edge of the area, after superb hold up play from Bradbury just 40 seconds into the second half.

A few moments later, Brendan Willson found himself unfortunate not to get his name on the scoresheet after a delicious delivery from Maloney found his head but it was diverted away for another corner. The centre half then attempted to poke in from a scramble in the box but couldn’t quite put it past Pratt.

Harvey Bradbury was proving to be a threat throughout for Wallingford’s backline and that eventually paid dividends when he put the Hawks a goal up in the 71st minute. Full back Harvey Laidlaw drove down the left side and his beautiful ball found Bradbury, who couldn’t miss from close range with a clinical first-time finish. 

The opener was a sign of things to come as the pressure continued from Shaun North’s side. Anderson struck the woodwork twice in quick succession after a scintillating strike thundered against the bar and a header from a cross from the left-hand side worried Pratt once more, as it scraped the upright. 

With eight minutes of time remaining, Waterlooville seemed to score an almost identical goal to the first, with Laidlaw delivering to find Bradbury again to fire into the roof of the net past the goalkeeper, who could do nothing about it. A lovely combination once more seemed to seal the victory for them with hardly any time to go.

As the full-time whistle approached, there was time to put the game to bed for the Hawks as Seokjae Lee added to the score line with a fine swept finish into the bottom left-hand corner, provided with a searching ball from Devante Stanley. 

The 3-0 victory means that Havant and Waterlooville will be in the FA Cup draw on Monday to find out who they will be playing in the second qualifying round, after a dominant display at the Westleigh. 

Full time: Havant and Waterlooville 3-0 Wallingford and Crowmarsh

Havant & Waterlooville FC: Dudzinski (GK), Stanley, McNerney (C), Willson, Bradbury, Whittingham, Maloney, Kealy (Lee 59’), Jallow (Laidlaw 56’), Dockerill (Aston 78’), Anderson (Tshaka 88’)

Unused Substitutes: Walker-Harris (GK)

Goals: Bradbury 70′ 82′, Lee 90′

Wallingford and Crowmarsh FC: Pratt (GK), Bonner, Carter, Bestley (Avery 87’), Young (C), Lynn (Magosha 90+2′), Hamilton (Walton 80′), Higgs, Isaac, Sheppard (Fanstone 80′), Hercules

Unused Substitutes: Baldock (GK), Aitchinson

Report By: Harrison Gray