A largely uneventful first half at Westleigh Park saw few clear-cut chances, with the Hawks spending much of the opening period without the ball.

The main moments of note came from Wimborne pressure, with Lorenz Ferdinand producing a fine diving save to deny a header from a visitor’s free kick. The Hawks then rode their luck late in the half when a Wimborne corner nearly went straight into the net, with the ball striking the post.

Just before the break, Ferdinand was called into action once more, making another solid save to keep out Joe Smith and ensure the sides went in level at half-time.

HALF TIME: HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILLE 0-0 WIMBORNE TOWN

The second half saw the game burst into life after a quiet opening 45 minutes. Wimborne threatened first on, when Bustamante struck the crossbar, a warning sign for the Hawks.

Just a minute later, the Hawks responded in emphatic fashion. A superb flowing move involving Seager and Thorpe released Freddie Taylor, who powered into the area, shrugged off his marker, and unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top corner to give the Hawks the lead.

The momentum was firmly with the hosts, and they doubled their advantage just a few minutes later. Pendlebury’s delivery into the box was met by Paul Rooney, whose glancing header found its way through a crowded area and nestled into the bottom corner.

The Hawks continued to press and should have added a third with around 10 minutes left. A driving run from Pendlebury ended with a perfectly weighted pass into Seager, who turned sharply and looked to curl his effort home, but his shot drifted wide.

Seager made amends shortly after, however. The skipper found the net to cap a dominant spell from the Hawks, making it 3-0 and sealing a deserved victory.

There was still more joy for the home side in added time at the end of the game when Ethan Giwa-McNeil was pushed over in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. Seager stepped up and put the ball away for his second of the afternoon and the Hawks fourth.

After spending much of the first half under pressure, the Hawks produced a clinical and confident second-half performance to take all three points. Next up for the Hawks is a Boxing Day trip to Gosport.

FULL TIME: HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILLE 4-0 WIMBORNE TOWN

Havant and Waterlooville: Ferdinand (GK), Taylor, Milner-Smith, Willson, Swann (Pendlebury 40’), Seager (C), Maloney (Giwa-McNeil 80’), Thorpe (Fosu 80’), Rooney (Nkwonta 90+5’), Aston, Laidlaw

Unused Subs: Owusu

Cautions: Willson 21’

Goals: Taylor 63’, Rooney 67’, Seager 83’, 90+1’

Wimborne Town: Smith (GK), Eccott-Young, Jackson (C), Walker, Edmondson, Williams (Richardson 90+2’), McQuoid, Burchall (Bustamante 59’), Smith (Munn 64’), Roundell (Ryan 74’), Carmichael (Fletcher 64’)

Cautions: Burchall 59’

Attendance: 686

Player of the Match: Lorenz Ferdinand

Report By: Alex McNeice