HAVANT & Waterlooville restored a smile to chairman Derek Pope's face by marching into today's fourth qualifying round draw of the FA Cup with a comprehensive 4-0 hiding of Evesham United at Westleigh Park.
The forthright Pope has been critical of the side's stuttering start to the Dr Martens Premier Division season, but it's all come right in the Cup where the happy Hawks have already boosted the bank account to the tune of £17,500 from the FA prize fund.
Co-boss Mick Jenkins reflected: "The chairman was certainly smiling on Saturday. It's fantastic for the club and all I'm hoping now is that we get another favourable home draw.
"I said I thought we were beginning to turn the corner and it's come right for us in the past week with two wins, two clean sheets and five goals scored."
Evesham, riding high in the DML Western Division, were put to the sword twice in the opening 12 minutes with Paul Wood heading home Chris Ferrett's quickly-taken free kick and then James Taylor powering home a header from Alec Masson's cross.
After that it was a tale of missed chances for the Hawks until the arrival of fit-again skipper Timmy Hambley supplied some fresh impetus and they doubled their tally in the last five minutes.
Hambley was first the provider as Warren Haughton's trickery brought an 85th-minute third and the Londoner bagged the fourth himself from the penalty spot after influential midfielder Bobby Howe had been tripped.
Hawks achieved the win without their defensive rock and co-manager Liam Daish, due to have exploratory surgery on a knee injury today.
Aldershot Town are also in today's draw thanks to a late double strike from ex-Saint Paul Moody which finally saw off a determined Lewes side 2-0 at the Recreation Ground. Moody had earlier had a penalty saved.
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