At the top of the Blue Square South, the picture has shifted dramatically over the past couple of months. Chelmsford City, once clear leaders, have stumbled, while AFC Wimbledon surged with thirteen wins in fourteen games to seize command of the division. Hampton & Richmond Borough emerged as their closest challengers, and going into the weekend Wimbledon held a nine-point cushion, though memories of Chelmsford’s squandered lead kept supporters grounded.
Havant after the FA Cup high
For Havant & Waterlooville, the season could hardly feel further from the heady days of Anfield. Just over a year since their famous FA Cup run against Liverpool, the Hawks found themselves struggling near the relegation zone. Two home wins all campaign spoke volumes. Though not yet in acute danger, the spectre of a drop to the Southern League lingered. Their Westleigh Park ground looked improved thanks to cup revenues, but the optimism of 2008 had long since drained away.
The journey south
The away day started inauspiciously—queues at Brighton station almost caused a missed train, and the walk from Havant’s station offered little charm. Westleigh Park itself proved more welcoming, its bar bustling with anticipation before kickoff. A crowd of over 1,700 packed in, the atmosphere tinged with both tension and nervous expectation from the travelling Wimbledon contingent.
A match of effort, not end product
On the pitch, little separated the sides. Havant’s Gary Elphick shone in defence, while Wimbledon’s prolific striker Jon Main endured an off-day. Sutton’s defence repelled attacks with composure, and the first half slid by with the visiting fans left queuing for food as much as watching football. The second half followed a similar pattern. Wimbledon pressed but rarely tested goalkeeper Aaron Scriven. When Main was substituted late on, the sense grew that Terry Brown would settle for a point.
There was late drama, though, as Havant’s Watkins drove wide and Wimbledon’s Tom Davis blazed over with the goal gaping. A stalemate felt fair—particularly for the home side, whose commitment at the back had earned them reward.
Pressure from behind
The result looked more costly once news filtered through that Hampton had stolen a last-minute winner at Worcester, trimming Wimbledon’s lead to seven points with a game in hand. With fixtures looming against both Hampton and Eastleigh, the race for promotion promised a tense finale.
A sour end off the pitch
The evening ended on a sourer note back near Havant station, as a group of Wimbledon supporters turned abusive toward fellow fans in frustration. It was a reminder that nerves were jangling and tempers short. More afternoons like this lay ahead before the title was decided.