Havant record first National League 1 South win in see-saw encounter with Oxford Hawks

At the sixth attempt, they defeated Oxford Hawks 5-3 away but remain bottom by virtue of a worse goal difference than Old Cranleighans.

Havant began well with James Speke having a shot blocked on the line by a defender.

Then a couple of half chances were not converted and Oxford countered, winning a penalty corner on their first visit into the Havant circle.

Jack Biggs finished well to give Oxford a ninth minute lead, but the visitors were level four minutes later when Jamie Rawlings converted from a penalty corner.

In a see-saw encounter, Oxford were back in front two minutes later from another Biggs flick.

Soon after the quarter break in the 26th minute, Havant pulled level with Maciej Janiszewski finishing off a slick move down the right after Miguel Rodrigues linked well with Harry Croft-Baker.

Havant started the second half as they had the first and, in the 37th minute, Rodrigues fired them into the lead for the first time with an upright reverse shot after Tahsin Chowdhury had edged a ball towards goal.

The scores were level again just before the hour mark when Freddie Smith levelled.

As the hosts briefly took control, Maciej Pacanowski made some good saves to keep Havant in the game with George Harrison and Croft-Baker helping him to clear the threat.

The seventh goal came via a penalty stroke with a defender blocking a shot with his foot and Janiszewski scoring in the 62nd minute.

Bradley Lock and Eryk Bembenek linked well after Matthew Boote had fed the ball forward to create the chance.

With five minutes left, Croft-Baker pushed forward and beat two defenders at the top of the circle to set up Lock to net his first National League goal.

Having now claimed their first win, the second national lockdown will see Havant inactive until Saturday December 5 at the earliest.

Old Cranleighans and Team Bath Buccaneers - the two teams just above Havant in the table - were due to be their next two opponents.