Poole Town 2-0 Havant & Waterlooville – Match Report
Poole Town secured three points in their final home match of the 2025/26 campaign with a 2-0 win over Havant & Waterlooville; a result that ensured their fourth placed finish in the Southern League Premier South.
Joe Lea and Pat Suraci made one change from the 1-0 win at Chertsey Town with Kris Campbell coming in for Ryan Campbell who dropped to the bench.
The match got underway infront of a tremendous crowd of 1,747 at Tatnam Ground with both sides testing the waters early on.
Kris Campbell found the back of the net in the early stages, but his goal was disallowed due to a foul in the build up.
It took until the 20th minute for the deadlock to be broken, and who else but Shaquille Gwengwe to bend a stunning strike into the top right hand corner and give Poole a 1-0 lead.
The visitors went close only ten minutes later, but Ryan Seager’s effort blazed over the bar.
Havant certainly grew into the first half as it progressed with Leon Maloney having his strike from distance easily dealt with by Adam Parkes.
Poole doubled their lead just before the break by Gwengwe again as this time he comfortably found the top left hand corner to make it 2-0 to the Dolphins.
The second half continued in similar fashion, with Poole on top but Havant looking dangerous on the break.
Ik Hill tried his luck from range on the hour mark, but his fierce half-volley was well saved by the Havant number one.
Alfie Wittingham went close for the visitors on the 69th minute after a lifted ball into the area from Seager, but it drifted just wide of the post.
Henry Spalding had a huge chance to put the game to bed after being found by substitute Ayo, but he was unable to convert from close range.
Adam Parkes was the hero for Poole in the dying stages, after preventing multiple attempts at his goal to preserve his clean sheet as Havant continued to search for a way back into the game.
The full time whistle was blown with Poole earning the three points and securing their place in the playoff places with a game to go.
Joe Lea and Pat Suraci’s side face Uxbridge away next Saturday before a trip to either Farnham Town or Gloucester City in the playoffs.