Havant & Waterlooville FC Review

Scott DonnellyThe curtain has come down on the 2014/15 football season and despite defeating Petersfield to win the Portsmouth Senior Cup, Havant and Waterlooville FC fell just short of making it a very successful campaign. With Bromley sealing the Vanarama Conference South title and automatic promotion, a 4-2 aggregate defeat in the play-off semi-finals to league runners up Boreham Wood means that the Hawks failed in their bid for promotion to the top tier of English non-league football. Losing the first leg 2-0 at Westleigh Park left them with just too much to do in the return leg and despite goals from Brian Dutton and JJ Hooper drew 2-2 at Meadow Park.

Brian DuttonHowever, after the disappointment of play off semi-final defeat Hawks have dusted themselves off and began preparations for next season’s campaign in earnest. They have announced their pre- season fixtures with games at Westleigh Park against Portsmouth (11/07-3pm), Eastleigh (18/07- 3pm), Petersfield (24/07-7.45pm) and Dover Athletic (01/08-3pm). They will also make trips to Horndean (06/07-7.45pm), AFC Portchester (21/07-7.45pm) and Bognor Regis (30/07-7.45pm).

Hawks first new signing is Adrian Clifton from Conference South rivals Maidenhead United. He was a key play in a struggling season for the Magpies and will add a powerful attacking threat. As well as Clifton’s signature three academy players, striker Jack Gale, attacking midfielder Liam Kimber and central midfielder Marley Ridge have signed first team contracts. On top of this current players Nic Ciardini, Dan Strugnell, Warren Cummings, Scott Donnelly, Ed Harris and Brian Dutton have all signed contract extensions. The signatures of most of last years defence means the continuation of one of the leagues meanest back lines with only Gosport conceding fewer goals in the Conference South. With this strong core of players confirmed the club can look to press on from their impressive 2014/15 campaign. Ryan Woodford, who spent time on loan at Bognor Regis towards the end of last season, has left the club.

Next season the Hawks will be joined in the newly renamed Vanarama National League South by five new teams. Three sides through promotion: Cornwalls’ Truro City, play off winners from the Southern Premier league with Maidstone United, and Margate moving up from the Isthmian League.

Dartford, are relegated from the National Conference, while Oxford City have moved sideways from the National League North in a reshuffle. The league fixtures for 2015/16 are expected to be announced on July 1.

By
Simon Payne
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