Hawks manager Paul Doswell cannot wait for the return of competitive football as his Havant side host Welling United at Westleigh Park tomorrow afternoon, kick off 3pm. 

A productive pre-season has seen Dos’ team win five of their six friendlies and push Portsmouth hard for a draw in their only defeat.

Wins over National League outfits Sutton and Eastleigh will only further the confidence of the camp ahead of what many pundits are saying is the toughest National League South in modern history.

And ahead of our opening test against the Wings, the gaffer feels we are coming up against one of the teams he feels will challenge up the right end of the table on the back of a very good pre-season campaign.

He said: “You ask any player or manager pre-season is a necessary evil but all of us are desperate for the season to start now.

“It seems a long wait for my first league game since I joined the club and I can’t wait to get started on Saturday.

“There’s a real buzz around the place, that’s evident to see. Obviously a lot of new players, new staff and a lot of new structures have been put in place.

“You can certainly feel the vibe around the supporters as well and I just hope through the season, and trust me a tough season, I just hope that vibe can take us to what we want to achieve and that is promotion to The National League.”

Doswell is expecting a tough test from Mark Goldberg’s side, who he feels will be in the mix.

“They played in the play-off final last year, I saw them play in that game. Woking narrowly beat them on the day.

“But they’ve obviously have had a change, Mark Goldberg who I know well their chairman is now their manager and he has bought in some very good players.

“They have a good budget for this league as well. They have bought in the likes of Rob Swaine, Nathan Green, Conor Diamond in midfield and Combsey upfront who I know from my Sutton days, his sons an excellent player Bradley.

“So when you look at their side, certainly the XI and then the 14/15 I certainly expect Welling to be there or thereabouts with Mark’s experience, coaching staff and the budget they’ve got they will be targeting the play-offs that’s for sure.”