This Sunday was a chance to finally get to my first Southern region game of 2025 and an opportunity to pay a first visit to Havant & Waterlooville. It's not quite the furthest ground for me, but it's still exactly 100 miles in each direction from Bicester to Westleigh Park. Still, at least the weather had improved a little. I hadn't even had to de-ice the car in the morning. This was not only my first visit to the home of The hawks, it was also going to be the first time I had seen them play, home or away. I had, however, seen their visitors play once before, a 1-1 draw at Bursledon back in September (These Two Are Keepers).
Prior to kick-off Havant & Waterlooville sat in third spot, five points behind the top two with a game in hand on second placed Stoneham but having played one more than Fleet. Wimborne were a place below their hosts, two pints further back and having played a game more. However, the reverse fixture in September saw The Magpies take all three points thanks to a brace from Sheree Bell-Jack. A goal from captain E-J May couldn't prevent the Hawks falling to what was then, their first defeat of the season.
Did you know? - There's an interesting connection between Waterlooville and Wimborne Minster. There's a clue in the blog title. All will be revealed at the end of the blog.
Many thanks to Havant goalkeeper coach and stray ball retriever, Ashley Hards-Figgins, for getting the team sheets for me. Very much appreciated.
Prior to kick-off Havant & Waterlooville sat in third spot, five points behind the top two with a game in hand on second placed Stoneham but having played one more than Fleet. Wimborne were a place below their hosts, two pints further back and having played a game more. However, the reverse fixture in September saw The Magpies take all three points thanks to a brace from Sheree Bell-Jack. A goal from captain E-J May couldn't prevent the Hawks falling to what was then, their first defeat of the season.
Did you know? - There's an interesting connection between Waterlooville and Wimborne Minster. There's a clue in the blog title. All will be revealed at the end of the blog.
Many thanks to Havant goalkeeper coach and stray ball retriever, Ashley Hards-Figgins, for getting the team sheets for me. Very much appreciated.
Hawks corner The visitors started the game very brightly and, although they didn't manage to trouble Emily Paines in the home goal, looked to carry a threat up front through the strength of Sheree Bell-Jack, who won everything in the air, and the pace of Sadie West. Abi Buck was also getting a fair amount of space on the left, pushing forward to assist the strikers. However, it was Magpies goalkeeper Tegan Barnes who was the first stopper to be called into action, tipping Emily Wernham's effort over the bar in the 12th minute. That said, Wimborne had definitely had the better of the opening 15 minutes.
The game completely changed shape in the 19th minute when a long ball found Havant's top scorer Sophie Lee on the edge of the box. A side-step to give herself space followed by a low drive that went in off the inside of the post, and the home side were ahead. 1-0. Five minutes later Havant made it two. Issy Humphrey picked up the ball on the just outside the left side of the penalty area before curling an absolute stunner past Barnes into the far top corner. 2-0.
After being on top at the start, Wimborne now looked a little shell-shocked. The opposite was true for Havant, who were now spraying the ball about with some confidence and looking in control of the game. West, and Bell-Jack were still putting themselves about up front, but the chase was now slightly less vigorous and the tracking back a little more laboured.
Just past the half hour Humphrey tested Barnes again but this time the visitors keeper was equal to the effort, Captain E-J May then tried her luck from outside the box, seeing her shot sail just wide. All of the chances were going the way of the home team but they then almost shot themselves in the foot. Playing out from the back, they lost the ball deep in their own half, presenting Bell-Jack with the opportunity to get a shot off. The effort went well wide, but it was a reminder than Havant couldn't lose concentration.
With seven minutes to go before the break, the home side came very close to extending their lead. Once again it was Issy Humphrey causing the problems for Wimborner. this time her strike beat Barnes but rattled the underside of the bar, setting off a mad scramble in the 6-yard box which, eventually, Wimborne managed to clear.
At this point Wimborne may well have been happy to go in two behind, giving the coaches a chance to re-group the team during the interval. However, The Hawks had other ideas and, following a left-wing corner that caused some chaos in the visitor's penalty area, Laurie Potvin was on hand to smash home a loose ball after the initial effort was blocked. 3-0
HT Havant & Waterlooville 3 Wimborne Town 0. A really good start from Wimborne had Havant looking a little shaky for the opening 10 minutes or so. However, once the Hawks got their noses in front, they took control of proceedings and looked good for their three goal lead.
The game completely changed shape in the 19th minute when a long ball found Havant's top scorer Sophie Lee on the edge of the box. A side-step to give herself space followed by a low drive that went in off the inside of the post, and the home side were ahead. 1-0. Five minutes later Havant made it two. Issy Humphrey picked up the ball on the just outside the left side of the penalty area before curling an absolute stunner past Barnes into the far top corner. 2-0.
After being on top at the start, Wimborne now looked a little shell-shocked. The opposite was true for Havant, who were now spraying the ball about with some confidence and looking in control of the game. West, and Bell-Jack were still putting themselves about up front, but the chase was now slightly less vigorous and the tracking back a little more laboured.
Just past the half hour Humphrey tested Barnes again but this time the visitors keeper was equal to the effort, Captain E-J May then tried her luck from outside the box, seeing her shot sail just wide. All of the chances were going the way of the home team but they then almost shot themselves in the foot. Playing out from the back, they lost the ball deep in their own half, presenting Bell-Jack with the opportunity to get a shot off. The effort went well wide, but it was a reminder than Havant couldn't lose concentration.
With seven minutes to go before the break, the home side came very close to extending their lead. Once again it was Issy Humphrey causing the problems for Wimborner. this time her strike beat Barnes but rattled the underside of the bar, setting off a mad scramble in the 6-yard box which, eventually, Wimborne managed to clear.
At this point Wimborne may well have been happy to go in two behind, giving the coaches a chance to re-group the team during the interval. However, The Hawks had other ideas and, following a left-wing corner that caused some chaos in the visitor's penalty area, Laurie Potvin was on hand to smash home a loose ball after the initial effort was blocked. 3-0
HT Havant & Waterlooville 3 Wimborne Town 0. A really good start from Wimborne had Havant looking a little shaky for the opening 10 minutes or so. However, once the Hawks got their noses in front, they took control of proceedings and looked good for their three goal lead.
Wimborne defend the car park end There was no let up from Havant in the second half. E-J May was the first to try her luck, not too far wide from another long-range strike. However, eight minutes into the second period, the home side did add to their tally. Emily Wernham showed a clean pair heals to her marker, bursting down the right flank before delivering the perfect cross for substitute Molly Stoddart to finish her first goal of the season. 4-0.
The points were safe at this point. Wimborne had hardly stretched Paines, and were not going to score four times in the final half an hour. Sadie West did get a rare sight of goal just past the hour mark, but her effort was way off target. May had another long-range effort well saved by Barnes and the visiting goalkeeper had to be at her best on 75 minutes when May's delightful, threaded pass put Wenham in on goal. Barnes was very quick to narrow the angle, pushing the striker's shot away for a corner.
Ellie Chaffe then had a shot on target for Wimborne, which was easily fielded by Paines before, with six minutes remaining, the home side made it five. Sophie Lee, who scored the opening goal, rounded it all off when she drove into the box on the right. her low, driven effort deflected off a defender completely wrong-footing Barnes. 5-0
FT Havant & Waterlooville 5 Wimborne Town 0. A comprehensive victory for the home side who, once they found their rhythm, dominated the game. Despite scoring five times, it was The Hawks defence that stood out for me. The whole back line looked solid, not allowing a sniff for the Wimborne strikers. The result lifts Havat to within 2 points of Fleet, who are now second after their game was postponed. Wimborne remain in fourth spot but are now just two points ahead of a resurgent Woking team, who won again.
Havant had a Thursday evening PDFA fixture at Portchester before they welcome Premier League Sholing to Westleigh Park for a County Cup tie on Sunday. Wimborne, meanwhile, have a home league fixture with Abbey Rangers to look forward to at the weekend.
Havant & Waterlooville: 1.Paines, 3.Gardner, 4.Potvin, 5.Marsh, 6.Smith, 8.Mcnamara, 9.Wernham, 10.May(c), 11.Lee, 15.Dixon, 19.Humphrey. Subs: 2.Key, 20.Stoddart
Wimborne Town: 1.T.Barnes, 2.Nieman(c), 15.Campbell, 18.L.Barnes, 4.Rowley, 8.Reeks, 6.Wollington, 3.Buck, 7.Chaffe, 10.Bell-Jack, 9.West. Subs: 5.Watkins, 11.Cheney, 14.Suddaby, 17.Peters
The points were safe at this point. Wimborne had hardly stretched Paines, and were not going to score four times in the final half an hour. Sadie West did get a rare sight of goal just past the hour mark, but her effort was way off target. May had another long-range effort well saved by Barnes and the visiting goalkeeper had to be at her best on 75 minutes when May's delightful, threaded pass put Wenham in on goal. Barnes was very quick to narrow the angle, pushing the striker's shot away for a corner.
Ellie Chaffe then had a shot on target for Wimborne, which was easily fielded by Paines before, with six minutes remaining, the home side made it five. Sophie Lee, who scored the opening goal, rounded it all off when she drove into the box on the right. her low, driven effort deflected off a defender completely wrong-footing Barnes. 5-0
FT Havant & Waterlooville 5 Wimborne Town 0. A comprehensive victory for the home side who, once they found their rhythm, dominated the game. Despite scoring five times, it was The Hawks defence that stood out for me. The whole back line looked solid, not allowing a sniff for the Wimborne strikers. The result lifts Havat to within 2 points of Fleet, who are now second after their game was postponed. Wimborne remain in fourth spot but are now just two points ahead of a resurgent Woking team, who won again.
Havant had a Thursday evening PDFA fixture at Portchester before they welcome Premier League Sholing to Westleigh Park for a County Cup tie on Sunday. Wimborne, meanwhile, have a home league fixture with Abbey Rangers to look forward to at the weekend.
Havant & Waterlooville: 1.Paines, 3.Gardner, 4.Potvin, 5.Marsh, 6.Smith, 8.Mcnamara, 9.Wernham, 10.May(c), 11.Lee, 15.Dixon, 19.Humphrey. Subs: 2.Key, 20.Stoddart
Wimborne Town: 1.T.Barnes, 2.Nieman(c), 15.Campbell, 18.L.Barnes, 4.Rowley, 8.Reeks, 6.Wollington, 3.Buck, 7.Chaffe, 10.Bell-Jack, 9.West. Subs: 5.Watkins, 11.Cheney, 14.Suddaby, 17.Peters
Westleigh Park
The Ground
Westleigh Park is situated just to the North-East of Havant town centre and is the former home of Havant Town, one half of the merger that formed Havant & Waterlooville in 1998, the other half being Waterlooville FC. There's an ample car park in front of the ground just off Martin Road. The former clubhouse, just to the side of the stadium, is now The Westleigh pub. Access to the ground is normally through multiple turnstiles, however for today's game it was through a gate at the side of the ground. The men's team have played as high as the National League, although are currently at Step 3, and the facilities at the ground reflect their former status. There are covered spectator areas on all four sides, including a 700+ capacity main stand directly behind the dugouts. The playing surface was converted to 3G in 2020 and is, therefore, in good condition. It may slope a little toward the car park end. it was to tell if this is the case or if it is an optical illusion.
Ground Number: 433
Att:
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: N/A
Did you know? - The connection is King Crimson the innovative prog rock band. Leader and founder, Robert Fripp, was born in Wimborne Minster. Michael Giles, their original drummer, was born in Waterlooville.
Westleigh Park is situated just to the North-East of Havant town centre and is the former home of Havant Town, one half of the merger that formed Havant & Waterlooville in 1998, the other half being Waterlooville FC. There's an ample car park in front of the ground just off Martin Road. The former clubhouse, just to the side of the stadium, is now The Westleigh pub. Access to the ground is normally through multiple turnstiles, however for today's game it was through a gate at the side of the ground. The men's team have played as high as the National League, although are currently at Step 3, and the facilities at the ground reflect their former status. There are covered spectator areas on all four sides, including a 700+ capacity main stand directly behind the dugouts. The playing surface was converted to 3G in 2020 and is, therefore, in good condition. It may slope a little toward the car park end. it was to tell if this is the case or if it is an optical illusion.
Ground Number: 433
Att:
Entrance: £3.00
Programme: N/A
Did you know? - The connection is King Crimson the innovative prog rock band. Leader and founder, Robert Fripp, was born in Wimborne Minster. Michael Giles, their original drummer, was born in Waterlooville.
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