Havant & Waterlooville FC

The Hawks 2015/16 season in the National Conference South came to a devastating end with relegation to the Rymans Premier League for next season. A dramatic final day game at home against Weston-Super-Mare saw Havant sitting outside of the relegation zone for a large period of the day. A James Hayter goal put the hosts a goal up and a win would have been enough to go above Margate who lost to Bath. However an equaliser from Scott Wilson on 73 minutes meant the points were shared and relegation was confirmed on goal difference.

Alfie RutherfordIn mid April a trip to St Albans in a desperate relegation six pointer was not the tight battle many would have expected. A very heavy defeat 6-0 to a fellow relegation rival was the beginning of the end for the Hawks. Thier next opponents were mid table Concorde and a nervy 1-0 win gave some hope and left two final home games. Truro needed a point to secure fourth place and they came and successfully achieved this in a goalless draw. This left the Hawks needing to win their final game which they failed to do. The season finished with further disappointment as Havant failed to retain the Portsmouth Senior cup losing in the final to Baffins Milton Rovers 3-1.

Jason PriorRelegation means the Hawks will play their football in the Rymans Premier League in 2016/17. The work has already begun on the new squad for the new season with many departures as well as new faces. Fans favourites Scott Donnelly, last seasons top scorer, and Nic Ciardini have decided to leave the club, while Brian Dutton and Danny Blanchett have been released. On the new signings front new Rymans League rivals Bognor have been raided for two of their strikers. Jason Prior scored 40 goals last season and was the Rock’s top scorer while his strike partner Alfie Rutherford also comes in having scored 22 himself. Bradley Tarbuck, a former Portsmouth youth player has also been signed further to bolster attacking options.

Havant have also announced their pre season fixtures in preparation for next season. They begin with a trip to Minefields FC (09/07 3pm). They will have three games at the Westleigh, the much anticipated game against Pompey (13/07 7pm) followed by Eastbourne (16/07 3pm) and AFC Totten (30/07 3pm). Further away trips will also be to Team Solent (22/07 7.45pm), Petersfield Town (26/07 7.45pm and Hastings United (06/08 3pm).

By
Simon Payne
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