Doswell salutes Havant & Waterlooville’s ‘professional’ display in FA Cup win against Horsham

Roarie Deacon battles with Horsham's Jerry O'Sullivan during Hawks' FA Cup win at Bognor Regis. Picture: Dave Haines.

Paul Doswell saluted a ‘professional’ Hawks performance as they avoided an FA Cup banana skin tie against lower division Horsham.

Goals from Roarie Deacon and Tommy Wright gave the National League South club a 2-1 victory in a tie switched to Bognor’s Nyewood Lane as Hawks’ new 3G surface was not ready to play on just yet.

‘After the first 20 minutes, we created four or five excellent chances in the first half and some unbelievable chances in the second half.’ the Hawks boss reflected.

‘Their keeper made some amazing saves. It could have been six or seven.

‘We played some great one-touch stuff at times - until they scored I felt as comfortable as I’ve ever felt in an FA Cup tie.

‘A game is never over at 2-0 and we needed a third to kill them off.

‘Overall, it was a good day at the office.’

Doswell said Hawks had endured a ‘horrendous’ pre-season regarding injuries and clubs cancelling fixtures.

They had not played at all since a 4-1 friendly win at Eastleigh on September 22 when Doswell could only take a 14-man squad including two goalkeepers.

Two of his summer signings - Billy Clifford and Joe Iaciofano - returned to action against Horsham for their first game in several weeks.

While the National League South season is due to start on Tuesday, Hawks’ first game is at home to Maidstone next Saturday.

Due to there being 21 clubs in the division this season, Hawks have the first ‘bye’ - and Doswell, given his injury problems, is happy with that.

Instead, the squad will train on their new 3G surface for the first time on Tuesday and again on Thursday.