The Hawks started the match brightly, showing early attacking intent and taking control of the ball.
Following a moment of quick thinking the Hawks were in the lead. An attempted counterattack by Bradbury was cut out by a Hanwell defender, but Bradbury’s pressure forced a deflected clearance. The ball landed perfectly in Seager’s path. Spotting the goalkeeper off his line, Seager coolly lobbed the ball into the net to make it 1-0.
Kealy then had a low strike at the near post, but the Hanwell goalkeeper was quick to react, making a smart save.
The Hawks continued to push forward, and Seager had another golden opportunity to extend the lead, but his shot from close range was fired over the bar.
In added time at the end of the half, the Hawks capitalised on their pressure. After a brilliant fingertip save by the Hanwell goalkeeper from a Kealy shot, Bradbury was on hand to bundle the rebound into the net. Giving the Hawks a 2-0 advantage heading into the break.
HALF TIME: HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILLE 2-0 HANWELL TOWN
Early in the half Hanwell pulled a goal back, reducing the deficit to 2-1 after they converted from a freekick into the area that the Hawks failed to deal with.
The Hawks responded immediately. Callum Kealy played Bradbury through one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the Hanwell keeper did well to close the angle and make the save, forcing a corner. From the resulting corner, Leon Maloney delivered the ball to the back post, where captain Joe McNerney rose highest to head it home, restoring the Hawks’ two-goal lead.
Hanwell were awarded a penalty after the referee judged McNerney to have handled the ball in the box. Hanwell converted the spot-kick, making it 3-2.
A few minutes later, the Hawks struck again. A perfect cross from Austin found Bradbury, who headed in his second goal of the night, again restoring the Hawks’ two-goal cushion at 4-2.
In added time at the end of the game, Ryan Seager doubled his tally and added a fifth for the Hawks. Making it 5-2, and that’s how the game would end.
It was a convincing win for the Hawks over Hanwell Town, with goals from Seager, Bradbury, and McNerney. Despite Hanwell’s fightback, including a penalty, the Hawks maintained control throughout and sealed the win. Next up is an away trip to Bristol Manor Farm in the first round of the FA Trophy.
FULL TIME: HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILLE 5-2 HANWELL TOWN
Havant and Waterlooville: Dudzinski (GK), Austin, McNerney (C), Willson, Bradbury, Whittingham (Anderson 70’), Seager, Maloney, Kealy (Swann 80’), Sidwell, Dockerill
Unused Subs: Lee, Tshaka, Laidlaw
Cautions: Maloney 60’, McNerney 66’
Goals: Seager 22’ 90+4’, Bradbury 45+1’ 69’, McNerney 59’
Hanwell Town: Carter-Rogers (GK), Carr (Orlando-Young 87’), Sutton (English 87’), Duncan, Seabrook, Hall (C) (Richards 90’), Regis, Woodcock (Boakye 80’), Pendlebury (Benyon 68’), Edwards, Sonukan
Unused Subs: Young
Cautions: Sonukan 25’
Goals: Edwards 57’, Regis (P) 67’
Attendance: 647
Player of the Match: Harvey Bradbury