HAVANT ON THE UP BUT SHAYMEN HEAD DOWN

HAVANT & W’LOOVILLE 2 Cordner 48, Rutherford 64 FC HALIFAX TOWN 1 Maher 79

HAVANT & Waterlooville made it back-to-back wins this week to pull away from the National League relegation zone, leaving ailing FC Halifax Town without a win in 12 games.

Second-half strikes from AFC Bournemouth loanee Tyler Cordner and Alfie Rutherford ensured Niall Maher’s late effort was just consolation as the Hawks played the windy conditions the better.

“This was a good win,” said Hawks boss Lee Bradbury after moving out of the bottom four on goal difference. “It’s the first time we have won two in a row in the league.

“It was a hard-fought dogged performance and I was pleased with our overall display.

“Confidence is at a much better level now.”

The first half saw the visitors with a strong wind in their favour, but there were few meaningful chances as both sides lacked killer instinct.

The Shaymen just about edged the first 45 and fashioned one or two excellent chances. Matty Kosylo hit a terrific free-kick which swerved in the air before being pushed around the post by Havant keeper Ben Dudzinski. Josh Staunton then headed over the bar from the resulting corner.

Kosylo then struck another free-kick shortly afterwards, which was held by Dudzinski.

Havant went closest through impressive winger Bradley Tarbuck but his first-time shot flew narrowly over the bar.

The Hawks, though, didn’t have to wait long for the breakthrough as they struck three minutes into the second half with their first effort on target. Rory Williams’ corner was headed goalwards by Cordner. The ball dropped just below the crossbar and keeper Sam Johnson failed to punch away and the ball fell into the empty net. The Shaymen initially fought back well with Dayle Southwell and Jonathan Edwards going close but it was Havant who extended their lead on 64 minutes – Tarbuck firing a fiercely-struck low cross eluded Johnson and left Rutherford a simple tap-in. The Hawks looked in total control now, but offered Halifax a lifeline when Maher tried a speculative 25-yard effort on 79 minutes when Dudzinski let his innocuous looking shot spill through his hands and into the net. Havant could, and should, have wrapped it up after sub Alex Bradley fired over the bar with the goal at his mercy, and the home side finished the game with ten men after Will Wood was sent off for a shove to the ground, but the Hawks hung on. Halifax boss Jamie Fullarton moaned: “Individual errors cost us for both goals. I was disappointed not to get anything from what I thought was a pretty even game.”