It was far from the perfect start for the Hawks as 4 minutes into the game an early opportunity for the visitors resulted in a corner. The following corner led to a scramble around the penalty spot and the ball came to Parkway’s James Watts-Barciela whose shot unfortunately went through Hawks keeper Ben Dudzinski to give Plymouth Parkway the lead.

The Hawks responded well to going behind with Leon Maloney delivering a fantastic ball into the box. However, Ryan Seager couldn’t get the ball out from under him to take a shot at goal. Another chance soon came for Seager this time he was able to get a shot off but unfortunately, it went wide past the post.

Havant were beginning to apply consistent pressure in and around the Plymouth Parkway box, looking for an equaliser. This led to a promising attacking move from the Hawks and Seager. The ball fell to the striker in the box but once again he struggled to control it, missing another opportunity to shoot.

Plymouth Parkway seemed content to sit back and allow the Hawks to have possession, focusing on defending their lead as the home side continued to push forward.

With around 5 minutes remaining in the first half Leon Maloney worked well down the right-hand side, feeding the ball into Austin, but the attack was cleared. The ball was then played back into the box and Ryan Seager was able to get his shot away at goal only to be denied by a superb fingertip save from the Parkway goalkeeper. Undoubtedly the best chance for the Hawks in the first half.

Plymouth Parkway held on to their early lead despite intense pressure from the Hawks. The home side created several opportunities but were unable to find the finishing touch needed to equalise before the break

HALF TIME: HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILLE 0-1 PLYMOUTH PARKWAY

Early in the second half, the Hawks tried to impose themselves on the game. Alfy Whittingham showed great skill as he worked his way into the Plymouth Parkway box and delivered a dangerous ball across the goal but there was no one on hand to convert it.

Despite being in the ascendency Plymouth Parkway still posed a threat to the Hawks. A well-executed move led to a chipped ball over the Havant defence and a volley, but the effort only found the side netting.

Ryan Seager tested Parkway goalkeeper Luke McCormick for the first time in the second half with a strong shot which was well saved. The rebound fell kindly, but McCormick again made a crucial save with his feet.

As the match entered the final 30 minutes, frustration began to build for the Hawks, who were struggling to find some quality in the final third. Plymouth Parkway, sensing this, started to slow the game down to suit their style.

Whittingham again got himself into a good position and took a fantastic shot that required a spectacular save from the Parkway goalkeeper, tipping it away for a corner. From the resulting corner, there were loud appeals from the Havant players for a penalty, but the referee waved play on. The ball eventually came to Leon Maloney, who struck through a crowded box to score the equaliser for the Hawks.

Straight from the restart Plymouth Parkway thought they had regained the lead, but the goal was disallowed for offside. A wake-up call for the Hawks.

Maloney continued to be a creative force, delivering a perfect ball into the box that found Ryan Seager, whose header struck the inside of the post. Minutes later, Maloney again found a Hawks player in the box, this time Reuben Swann but the header lacked the power to trouble the keeper.

The Hawks had a flurry of corners in the dying minutes of the match. Brendan Willson had a fantastic opportunity but couldn’t find the back of the net. The final chance fell to Seager, who controlled the ball well before taking a shot, only to be denied yet again by Luke McCormick.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the Hawks, who dominated large spells of the game but were kept at bay by a stellar goalkeeping display from Luke McCormick. Despite the draw, the Hawks remain unbeaten at the start of the season and will look to build on the positives as they prepare for their next match against Swindon Supermarine next Saturday.

FULL TIME: HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILLE 1-1 PLYMOUTH PARKWAY

Havant and Waterlooville: Dudzinski (GK), Stanley, Austin, Atangana, McNerney (C), Willson, Whittingham (Swann 72’), Seager, Maloney, Kealy (Bradbury 76’), Dockerill

Unused Subs: Lee, Jallow, Laidlaw

Goals: Maloney 65’

Plymouth Parkway: McCormick (GK), Dean, Scarff, White (C), Williams, Jones, Beardmore (Price 89’), Rose, Wright (Koerner 78’), Armstrong, Watts-Barciela (Joce 61’)

Unused Subs: Peacock

Cautions: Williams 79’, Price 90’

Goals: Watts-Barciela 4’

Report by: Alex McNeice