The game started slowly with an early break in play as the Frome Town captain went down, requiring treatment on the field and would eventually be replaced.

The Visitors had a great opportunity to take an early lead in the game when a free kick from near the corner flag dropped to the feet of one of their players in the box. However, Keane Anderson came to the Hawks’ rescue, blocking the shot on the line and preventing the Hawks from going behind early on.

The Hawks immediately responded with a swift counterattack. A well-timed ball over the top found Callum Kealy, who lofted the ball over the Frome goalkeeper to put the Hawks into the lead. It was a memorable goal for Kealy, marking his 50th league appearance for Havant and Waterlooville.

As the first half progressed, the Hawks continued to dominate the ball and looked for weaknesses in the Frome defence in search of a second goal.

Harvey Bradbury was put through one-on-one with the Frome goalkeeper with a pass from Harry Sidwell. He slotted the ball into the net, but the celebration was cut short as the linesman had already raised his flag for offside.

Another chance came for Bradbury after a ball slipped through the legs of the Frome defence. He got a shot away using his strength, but the Frome keeper made a fine save, pushing the ball out for a corner.

The Hawks maintained total control of the match, creating numerous opportunities and piling pressure on the Frome defence. Finally in added time at the end of the first half, the pressure finally paid off. Maloney latched onto a forward pass, drove into the box, and fired a well-placed shot past the Frome keeper to double the Hawks’ lead just before the break.

HALF TIME: HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILLE 2-0 FROME TOWN

Early in the second half, the Hawks looked to continue their attacking momentum. Bradbury showed some great skill, flicking the ball over the head of the Frome defender. Keane Anderson got himself on the end of the ball but his shot curled just over the crossbar.

The early pressure resulted in a third goal for the home side. A corner delivered by Maloney found Brendan Wilson in the box, who had cleverly created space for himself. Wilson powered his header past the Frome goalkeeper, making it 3-0 to the Hawks.

Another breakthrough came for Havant as a through-ball made its way to Bradbury, this time he made no mistake, slotting the ball into the net for his well-deserved goal and extending the lead to four.

The Hawks had a golden opportunity to make it five when Reuben Swann threaded a ball through to Anderson, putting him through on goal. However, Anderson was unable to get the ball out from under his feet, and the Frome keeper was able to collect.

In added time at the end of the game the Hawks were able to make it five, as a simple ball was played across the goalkeeper to find Bradbury who passed it into the net for his second of the game.

The Hawks controlled the majority of the game and finished their opportunities well to record an emphatic 5-0 win over Frome Town. A great performance and lots of positives to take into the Hawks’ next home game on Wednesday night against Marlow.

FULL TIME: HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILLE 5-0 FROME TOWN FC

Attendance: 665

Havant and Waterlooville: Dudzinski (GK), Atangana (Paul 60’), McNerney (C), Willson, Bradbury, Maloney (Swann 67’), Kealy (Seager 65’), Sidwell (Lee 79’), Dockerill, Anderson, Laidlaw

Unused Subs: Jallow

Cautions: Sidwell 25’, McNerney 55’

Goals: Kealy 9’, Maloney 45+1’, Wilson 58’, Bradbury 66’, 90+2’

Frome Town FC: Finch (GK), Wood, Mitchell, Budd (Yao 81’), Davies (C) (Day 11’), Rigg (Heal 74’), Hopkins, Maidment, Vaughan, Ollis (Hutson 74’), O’Loughlin (Drew 74’)

Cautions: Vaughan 46’

Report By: Alex McNeice