Havant & Waterlooville will kick start their National League South campaign at 3pm on Saturday as they welcome Welling United to Westleigh Park. 

A long, challenging but successful preseason for The Hawks is now over and Paul Doswell’s side will be keen to take their current winning form into the first league game of the season. 

The hosts finished their season preparations with five wins out of a possible six, and after the most recent victory against a tough Eastleigh side it was clear the squad is ready for the start of the season. 

Kenyan International Jonah Ayunga will be looking to get back on the score sheet again on Saturday having scored seven goals throughout the pre-season fixtures.

The number 10 has showed his class thus far and has proved he will be an integral part of Doswell’s plans to get The Hawks back into the National League. 

Saturday will be a great test for The Hawks as Welling enjoyed a successful season last year only to fall short at the final hurdle as they lost in the play off final. 

The Hawks have undergone a summer of change this year and will name an almost completely different outfit to what the Westleigh Park faithful witnessed last season. 

The club has been extremely busy during the off season and have seen many players walk in and out of the club. With only five players remaining from last season Doswell has built the team he believes is strong enough to let The Hawks soar to a memorable promotion. 

Doswell spoke on the busy summer of transfers before Saturday’s clash: “We gone and done a different way this year we didn’t go and sign 24,25 new players we signed 18 and those 18 players are for me, good National League players. 

“We are very happy with our recruitment, mixed in with some good young players as well. Benny Read, Joe Cook, Jonah Ayunga, Alfie Rutherford and Bradley Tarbuck and what you’ve got in that team now is the desire to do well.” 

Benny Read who has had an incredible preseason at right back also spoke before the game against Welling: “I think everyone is buzzing for Welling on Saturday for the first game. You can only do so much in preseason but once it gets down to it you want to get started playing competitive games.” 

Make sure you keep up with all match day information and updates through the website and our official Twitter account @HWFCOfficial.

By Liam Rice (@Liam_Rice9)