Match Report: Havant we been here before?

Havant & Waterlooville 3-3 Uxbridge

It was a case of déjà vu for Uxbridge on Saturday as Havant & Waterlooville staged a late comeback to snatch a point from a thrilling 3-3 draw. This result marks the Reds' seventh draw so far this season, the second with this scoreline, and the latest instance of a late goal conceded, making the outcome frustratingly familiar. Leading 3-1 late in the second half, the visitors will be disappointed not to be leaving Westleigh Park with all three points. Ultimately, though, it was probably a fair result against a Havant & Waterlooville side surely destined to move up the table this season.

It was an unchanged starting lineup for Uxbridge, but The Hawks, a strong, tall passing side, set about applying early pressure that resulted in Milner Smith's header just wide in the fourth minute. However, it was Uxbridge who took the lead against the run of play on 11 minutes when a fine curling cross from Nnams Nwachuku took a slight nick off a defender but fell perfectly for Frank Keita to head home. Havant had a golden opportunity to equalise midway through the half when a foul by Cole Brown on Nana Owusu led to a penalty. The Uxbridge man was fortunate not to receive a second yellow, having already been cautioned earlier. However, Harvey Bradbury sent the resulting spot-kick flying over the bar (and the stand), leaving the score at 0-1. The miss didn't phase Havant, who continued to dominate possession. Laurie Shala became increasingly busy, tipping over a fine shot from Laidlaw on 33 minutes and saving well from Owusu soon after. Uxbridge, playing on the break when possible, had another good chance towards halftime as Nwachuku broke in on the left of the box, but his shot only found the side netting. The Uxbridge No. 9 had another chance within a minute, making life uncomfortable for the home defence, twisting and turning the defender, but his goal-bound shot was blocked and cleared.

HT: 0-1

Half time saw Uxbridge tweak their tactics, bringing on new signing Jordan Stepney for Jo Lawal. Early in the second half, it was more of the same with The Hawks seeing plenty of the ball, Bradbury sending a header wide within a couple of minutes. Casey Bocarro had the Reds' best early chance as he latched onto a fine Harry Rush chipped pass but couldn’t get a decent connection on the shot as Ferdinand gathered in the home goal. Havant finally found their equaliser just before the hour mark, as a good cross into the box found Bradbury, who redeemed himself for the earlier penalty miss by heading the ball home ahead of Shala.The game soon swung in favour of the visitors. In the 68th minute, a swift counter-attack saw the Hawks lose possession from a free-kick block by Nwachuku, allowing George Moore to break clear of the defence and confidently fire the ball past the keeper to restore Uxbridge's lead. Just four minutes later, the Reds increased the lead when great work from substitute Kai Hobbs on the right side led to a fine low cross, which was bundled in by Nwachuku from close range—cue jubilant celebrations from the travelling Red Army. Facing a two-goal deficit with less than 20 minutes to play, Havant & Waterlooville needed something special to pull things back. They got it in the 79th minute, when a cross to the edge of the box was met by a fantastic overhead kick from Ryan Seagar that brought the Hawks back into the contest. Uxbridge, though, were not phased and almost sealed the game on 81 minutes, as Ferdinand tipped a Bocarro free kick onto the bar. Just when it seemed Uxbridge would hold on for the three points, a desperate late corner in the 96th minute led to a scramble in the box, and Seagar broke Uxbridge hearts by forcing the ball home, completing a dramatic comeback.

A point gained or two dropped? Only time will tell, but the result highlights how far Uxbridge have come in a short space of time to be competing at this level. The tough tests keep on coming though, with a trip to Evesham next Saturday.

FT: 3-3

Att: 673

Uxbridge: Shala, Brown (Hobbs), Bocarro, Fearn, Bailey, Nnadozie, Lawal (Stepney), Rush, Nwachuku (Thorpe), Moore, Keita (Prior-Tack) Sub not used: Hassane