A 4-2 defeat against Dartford in early December has seen the Hawks disappointingly drop into the National League South relegation zone heading into the busy festive period. This was also worryingly their third straight league defeat in a row after previous losses against Weston and Sutton United 3-2 and 3-0 respectively in late November. They have also now already conceded two more goals in the league than they did in the whole of the previous season.
After a disappointing October which had seen the Hawks fail to pick up a win in the league, with defeats against Truro and Wealdstone and a point against St Albans, November began with a heavy 4-1 defeat against fellow relegation battlers Margate. Godfrey Poku was brought in by Lee Bradbury on loan from Woking as well as Theo Lewis from Ebbsfleet with both making an impact in the following game. Poku scored a debut hat trick while Lewis was sent off as the Hawks picked up a superb 3-1 win away at high flying Oxford City. A week later a home victory of the same score came against Maidenhead United with Poku again amongst the goal scorers. This was not however to be the change of fortunes hoped for in the league, but merely respite before their three successive defeats dropping them falling into the bottom three.
The cups on the other hand still give the Hawks some level of joy. National League leaders Cheltenham were given a stern test with them needing a replay to narrowly progress 1-0 at Whaddon Road. That after Havant coming from 3-1 down late on at the Westleigh to earn a 3-3 draw and a replay in the opening tie. They have progressed comfortably in the Portsmouth Senior Cup with the semi final reached after victories over US Portsmouth reserves and first team 8-0 and 2-0 respectively. Progress has also been made in the FA Trophy. A home 2-1 victory against fellow National League South side Basingstoke Town with goals from James Hayter and Ben Swallow. Next up, high flying National League side Forest Green at Westleigh Park. League form however needs to improve and a double header against Gosport over Christmas and New Year will be ever more crucial as the Hawks hope to pull away from the bottom three.