Pickett is Havant's late saviour

​Havant’s Jonathan Pickett grabbed a late equaliser to deny Fareham a surprise first win of the season from a Western Conference derby which attracted a floodlit crowd of 400 or more to Havant College.
Pickett levelled the scores 1-1 three minutes from the end, George Davey having fired the visitors ahead from the first penalty corner of the game.  In-between there was plenty of action in what was a feisty affair, nearly always expected in this local derby.
Second from bottom with only one previous point from an opening day 5-5 draw at Plymouth Marjon, Fareham started the stronger pushing Havant back into defence and were rewarded from  their first penalty corner. They went on to test goalkeeper Maciej Pacanowski on several more occasions.
Havant improved as the game progressed and won their first penalty corner in the 20th minute. The resulting routine saw the ball crash against the Fareham post and away to safety. This near miss seemed to encourage Havant as they retained more possession, but it was Fareham who had the next opportunity in the 24th minute from their fourth penalty corner. Another variation was saved by Maciej. 
Fareham’s pressure and double teaming was giving Havant little time on the ball and a long overhead from the visitors defence found a Fareham forward in space and it took a goal line clearance from Jonathan Pickett to prevent the visitors from doubling their lead.
Fareham again started the second half strongly with Havant struggling to get a foothold in the game, but they did win the first penalty corner of the third quarter, but the ball flew wide of the visitors goal. 
At this point Havant enjoyed their best spell of the game resulting in a shot being deflected wide of the upright by a defender’s stick. This was immediately followed by Havant's 4th penalty corner, but this time the ball was not stopped at the top of the circle. 
Two minutes later Havant won their 5th penalty corner after James Morris was put under pressure in the circle by teenager Ben Hegan. Fareham’s goalkeeper Alex White was equal to the challenge and saved the resulting shot. 
Fareham won a fifth penalty corner on the hour mark and Havant their sixth 'short' soon after neither troubling the respective defences. With a win for the visitors looking the more likely result Havant won their 7th penalty corner in the 67th minute and with a slick routine this provided Jonathan Pickett with a chance, who made no mistake with an unstoppable shot through Alex White’s legs to rattle the backboard and square the match. 

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