The match began with the Hawks quickly dominating the possession. In the opening minutes, a promising free kick from Austin on the right was whipped into the box, flashing dangerously across the goal. McNerney was inches away from connecting with it, but the ball went out for a corner.

The Hawks continued to control the game and thought they had taken the lead when Ryan Seager chipped the Gosport goalkeeper. However, the linesman had already raised his flag for offside, much to the home crowd’s dismay.

Despite their dominance, the Hawks found themselves behind, as Gosport took the lead against the run of play. With the Hawks in full control, a rare attack from the visitors resulted in a goal, leaving the Hawks stunned.

However, the Hawks responded quickly. Keane Anderson levelled the score with a brilliant strike. After receiving a pass from Seager just outside the box, Anderson curled a shot past the Gosport keeper to bring the game back to 1-1.

The Hawks continued to apply pressure for the remainder of the half, winning a series of corners. They were close to taking the lead twice: first when a Gosport defender nearly put the ball into his own net, and then when Austin’s corner was cleared off the line. The home side maintained the attacking momentum but could not find a second goal before the break.

HALF TIME: HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILLE 1-1 GOSPORT BOROUGH

The attacking pressure from the Hawks paid off early into the second half. Austin delivered another excellent corner, this time finding McNerney at the back post. The defender rose highest and powered a header past the Gosport goalkeeper to make it 2-1 to the Hawks.

Midway through the second half Gosport’s Faniyan was shown a second yellow card for a deliberate handball. The dismissal left Gosport with 10 men, leaving the Hawks with a numerical advantage.

The win was sealed for the Hawks after a spectacular goal from Leon Maloney. He cut in from the far side and unleashed a thunderous shot that flew into the top corner, leaving the keeper with no chance.

A great attacking display from the Hawks and some clinical finishing in the second half sees the hosts take all 3 points, exactly what Hawks fans would have asked for Christmas. Next up for the Hawks is an away trip on Saturday to Plymouth Parkway,

FULL TIME: HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILLE 3-1 GOSPORT BOROUGH

Havant and Waterlooville: Dudzinski (GK), Stanley, Austin (Laidlaw 83’), Atangana, McNerney (C), Willson, Whittingham (Dockerill 78’), Seager (Swann 86’), Maloney, Kealy (Bradbury 73’), Anderson

Unused Subs: Lee

Cautions: Anderson 1’

Goals: Anderson 31’, McNerney 55’, Maloney 81’

Gosport Borough: Parkes (GK), Kavanagh (Stanley 65’), Williams (C), Morrison, Wassmer (Walsh-Smith 83’), Yearwood, Wooden (Fitchett 72’), Faniyan, Smith (Spalding 83’), Hollands, Murray (Tarbuck 65’)

Cautions: Murray 14’, Faniyan 60’, 66’, Williams 68’

Red Cards: Faniyan 66’

Goals: Wooden 24’

Attendance: 1406

Player of the Match: Leon Maloney

Report By: Alex McNeice