Havant & Waterlooville end winless run by thrashing Maidenhead

Havant & Waterlooville ended an eight-match winless run in spectacular style with a resounding 7-0 victory over 10-man Maidenhead.

Alfie Rutherford and Alfie Pavey both scored twice in a 17-minute second-half spell, which also included three goals in four minutes, as the visitors felt the effects of playing for almost an hour with 10 men after goalkeeper Carl Pentney was sent off for handling outside his penalty area.

The Hawks, recording only their third win of the season, were already ahead by that point with Tyler Cordner heading home Brian Stock’s free-kick.

Pentney’s 35th-minute red card forced centre-back Alan Massey to take up the gloves but he had no chance with Rory Williams’ free-kick shortly afterwards and only Rene Steer’s goalline clearance prevented a third on the stroke of half-time.

There was no respite after the break as Rutherford’s double came either side of two for Pavey with Alex Bradley completing the rout five minutes from time as Maidenhead slipped to a fifth successive victory.