KEDWELL’S ON THE SPOT FOR SHARP HAWKS
Victory keeps them in the title race
As with the previous encounter between these two sides, there was little to choose between Hemel Hempstead and Havant & Waterlooville on a blustery afternoon at Vauxhall Road.
It took a second half penalty from Danny Kedwell to clinch the game for the Hawks, but on the balance of play a draw would have been a fair result.
Havant took the lead with their first chance of the first half after only four minutes.
A free-kick from the right just about held up in the wind and Sam Magri leapt to direct his header just between the outstretched hand of goalkeeper Sam Beasant and the post.
Niko Moore saw his attempted shot blocked on the edge of the box in Hemel’s first effort of the match, but the Hawks could have doubled their advantage moments later.
Hawks centre-forward Jonah Ayunga hit an air shot, with the ball hitting his standing foot, when he
had time and space to bring it down.
Soon after, Sam Ashford did well down the left, chasing a lost cause and setting up Muir again but his shot flew wide after taking a deflection on its way.
The referee then decided to give a goal-kick much to the annoyance of the Hemel front man.
The remaining minutes of the half saw both sides cancel each other out.
However, Havant should certainly have done better when a corner from Hemel was cleared, leaving a twoon-one situation.
Unfortunately, however, they misplaced the key pass and it went out for a throw in.
The second period was much the same as the first, with both sides creating little, though the visitors had the advantage of the wind behind them.
The Hawks forced a corner after 52 minutes and a dangerous delivery was then sent in right under
Sam Beasant’s crossbar. The keeper struggled to claw it out and the ball fell at the feet of Danny Kedwell, who went down under a challenge.
It looked soft but the referee pointed to the spot to give Havant the chance to go two up.
Kedwell stepped up and made no mistake, firing his spot-kick into the roof of the net.
The Tudors stepped up their efforts after this and were soon back in the game after a mix-up at the back allowed Jack Midson to get himself free.
The forward just beat Ross Warner to the ball before tucking it home.
It was no less than the Tudors deserved and it looked like they might get something from the game after their goal. However, despite their best efforts, they just couldn’t grab the equaliser and Havant held on for the points.
STAR MAN: Jacques Kpohomouh
(Hemel Hempstead Town)
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★✩✩