Fareham win derby : Havant pay penalty

A late missed Havant penalty stroke enabled Fareham to snatch a 3-2 victory over their promoted Western Conference neighbours under the Havant College floodlights and in front of a good size crowd. 
It was the second time this season Fareham had won the derby by the odd goal, having been 4-3 victors at Henry Cort in the autumn.
Fareham had the best of the first half and Havant the second.
Havant took the lead in the 7th minute from their first penalty corner. A worked routine provided Matt Cox with an opportunity to shoot on goal; the shot lobbed up in the air off a defender and went over George Harris in the Fareham goal to give Havant an early lead.
Fareham, unshaken from this early set back, struck back two minutes later from their first penalty corner when Niall Stott's shot from the top of the circle was saved by Chris Bristow. The rebound went straight back to Stott, who neatly converted the second attempt against his old club.
This set back for Havant worsened a minute later when Fareham's George Davey converted an open play opportunity to put the visitors in front.
The remainder of the half was goalless, but there were chances with Fareham moving forward and with purpose on every opportunity. Fareham seemed a shade quicker than Havant and although Havant got some control of the game towards the end of the half, Fareham deserved their 2-1 lead at the interval.
It was clear Havant had to play with more intensity in the second half if they were to have any chance, but within seconds of the re-start Fareham stretched their lead to 3-1 after ex Havant forward Will Jones converted a three touch move that caught a Havant defence napping. It was Jones's first goal in Fareham colours.
Despite the start it was a much better half for Havant, who enjoyed longer periods on the ball, but in the early stages they were unable to penetrate a Fareham defence who were well marshalled by goalkeeper Harris.
Havant had a good spell in the last third of the game, winning three penalty corners. The first was well saved by Harris down low to his left, the second was not stopped at the top of the circle and it was from the third that Portsmouth Grammar School's Ethan Hoddle deflected the ball into the Fareham goal in the 61st minute after a well worked routine.
Niall Stott picked up a yellow card with nine minutes remaining and the numerical advantage allowed Havant to push Sam Hatherley forward, leaving three at the back. Maciej Janiszewski won a penalty corner with five minutes left, but again this was not stopped. From the resulting 23 yard hit Mike Deller-Merricks created a turnover and ran into the circle. He lifted the ball over a diving Harris which was stopped from going in the goal by a defender's body and after the umpires consulted a penalty stroke was awarded.
Maciej Janiszewski uncharacteristically put the flick just wide of the goal.
Havant had a final chance to level the score winning a penalty corner in the last minute of the game, but the ball was not stopped once more at the top of the circle and Fareham claimed all three points.
Havant complete their programme with a weekend double, at home to Cardiff Met on Saturday and away to Birmingham University on Sunday. Fareham host Team Bath Buccaneers at Hnry Cort on Sunday, 1.30.