Havant home win is a nice way to wrap up league run before Christmas break

Havant earned a win before the Christmas break to league action with a 3-1 success against University of Birmingham in the National League men's conference west.
Federico Bertoni helped Havant win with two goals against University of Birmingham. Picture: Neil MarshallFederico Bertoni helped Havant win with two goals against University of Birmingham. Picture: Neil Marshall
Federico Bertoni helped Havant win with two goals against University of Birmingham. Picture: Neil Marshall

It was a fast start from the home side and they were soon rewarded, writes Chris Pickett.

In the ninth minute Miguel Rodrigues converted a field goal with a flick from close range.

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A few minutes later Birmingham responded with a couple of penalty corners in quick succession.

The first was fired wide of the goal and the second was saved by Maciej Pacanowski.

Havant had territorial advantage in the first half and created a good number of circle entries and goal-scoring opportunities.

It was therefore not surprising that in the 22nd minute Federico Bertoni fired Havant into a two-goal lead with a well-placed flick from the third penalty corner.

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University of Birmingham put Havant under a great deal of pressure in the second half.

But the home side defended well in a structured fashion and once again Maciej Pacanowski at times was quite outstanding in the Havant goal. 

As the intensity of the game increased, so did the physicality and a number of yellow cards were awarded.

First to go was Federico Bertoni in the 55th minute and Charlie Stubbings joined him on the sidelines in the 63rd minute.

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In the last 10 minutes both teams had further penalty corners.

One for the students saw a great double save from Havant's Polish international keeper Pacanowski.

As the students pressed for an equaliser a quick break saw Jack Stubbings win Havant's sixth penalty corner of the game in the 68th minute.

Once again Federico Bertoni made no mistake to secure the game for Havant.

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The men are back at Havant College on Sunday when they entertain Chichester in the National Knock Out Cup.

Chichester had a great win at Cardiff Met last weekend and it promises to be an entertaining cup derby.

Havant Ladies lost 3-1 to Trojans seconds.

This result still leaves Havant in ninth position in the table after Oxford and Woking also dropped three points.

Georgina Atkins, Lexie Spurr and Charlotte Wise got the goals for Trojans.