Shaun North made 2 changes heading into the tie as the Hawks looked to pick up where they left off in their midweek cup exploits having progressed past AFC Bournemouth Academy in the Servio Men’s Senior Cup. Nigel Atangana came in to start and Captain the side and Harvey Laidlaw returned to the XI both coming back from injury. Josh Dockerill also took his place on the bench after being sidelined with injury for the Hawks previous two fixtures.

The hosts started the game on the front foot as they looked to test the Hawks defensive line, the big presence of Chukwu being utilised as the hosts looked to play direct but neither side able to test the opposition keeper.

Both sides continued to battle as the Hawks started to find their groove and see more of the ball whilst Welling continued to either play direct towards Chukwu with the hope he would be able to secure possession or attacking down their right hand side with, former Hawk, Kwaku Donkor who was managed well by Harvey Laidlaw.

The Hawks would get the breakthrough with the first real chance for either team in the tie. Sidwell played a delightful ball over the head of Lankshear into the path of Anderson who drove into the penalty area and got a shot away with Wings’ defenders recovering. The effort was saved by Jinadu but the loose ball fell to Callum Kealy who fired into the bottom corner to grab his second in as many games!

Settling for one goal didn’t seem to be on the Hawks’ agenda, as they continued to apply pressure to Welling as the game ticked past the half-hour point. Leon Maloney swung a teasing ball into the area, which met the head of Anderson but unfortunately he was unable to find the target with his effort.

Goalscorer Kealy would be involved again as he latched onto a bouncing ball, forcing Jinadu into a great save not knowing that the official on the far side had their flag raised.

Daniel Jinadu was on hand to deny the Hawks once more a few minutes as Brendan Willson saw a header saved down low with the Hawks continuing their attempts of increasing the lead.

HALF TIME: WELLING UNITED 0-1 HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILLE 

The Hawks started the second period how they ended the first, on the front foot and creating chances with the most notable coming shortly after the restart. Seager and Maloney linked up well as the Hawks progressed up the field, with the latter able to strike from the edge of the area. His effort bent just wide.

Continuing in their ascendancy, Anderson’s forward run was picked out once again. He drove forward before delivering a teasing ball across the face of goal, marginally out of the reach of Kealy who was arriving into the area.

Harry Sidwell doubled our lead after being set the ball by Leon Maloney, he struck on the volley from a long way out. Jinadu made a mess of it as he looked like he’d got enough behind the ball and made a save before the ball spun past him and into the back of the net.

As the game went on, Welling increased their pressure and bodies forward and 7 minutes from time the hosts grabbed their goal. Alex Lankshear found a gap to loop a header home and create a grand stand finish to an entertaining game of football.

The hosts huffed and puffed but the Hawks defence stood strong as they secured victory on the road for the third consecutive time in the Isuzu FA Trophy.

FULL TIME: WELLING UNITED 1-2 HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILLE

 Attendance: 540

Welling United: Jinadu (GK), Johnson, Burchell, Kennedy (Redfearn 46′), Chukwu, Long (Walker 61′ (Grant 79′)), Cornish, Donkor (Osew 52′), Lankshear, Kelly, Statham

Unused Subs: Perkins

Cautions: Kelly 59′, Osew 90+4′

Goal: Lankshear 83′

Havant and Waterlooville: Dudzinski (GK), Stanley, Austin, Atangana (C), Willson, Seager, Maloney, Kealy, Sidwell, Anderson, Laidlaw

Unused Subs: Walker-Harris (GK), Aston, Tshaka, Swann, Dockerill

Cautions: Willson 9′, Anderson 70′, Dudzinski 75′, Kealy 84′, Stanley 90+8′

Goals: Kealy 27′, Sidwell 68′

Report by: Josh Verroken