final relegation spot. On 8 May 2012, the Hawks appointed Stuart Ritchie as manager and Sean New as his assistant, the combination having been very successful in partnership during eight years at AFC Totton. Ritchie played 53 games for the Hawks in their first two seasons as a combined club (1998-2000). Sean New was replaced just 1 month later by Barry Blankley over a "failure to disclose particular information" scandal. Just ten games into his reign, Stuart Ritchie was sacked after just one win in those ten and a shock loss to Southern League South & West side North Leigh F.C. in the FA Cup. On 9 October 2012, Lee Bradbury was appointed manager. leading the club to 10th place at the end of that 2012–13 season. The 2013–14 season was an eventful one, with the club reaching the FA Trophy semi-finals, losing 3–1 on aggregate over two-legs against local rivals Gosport Borough. As a result of the Trophy run as well as weather-related postponements, the Hawks were required to play over half of their league campaign (22 games) within the final 57 days of the season. Despite this the Hawks went into the final game of the season against Tonbridge Angels with a chance of making the play-offs. When the final whistle blew in that game, a 0–0 draw was enough, however in their match still on-going Dover Athletic scored a goal to mean that the Hawks would miss out on goal difference. In addition to the FA Trophy and Conference South disappointments, the Hawks also lost in the final of the Hampshire Senior Cup to Basingstoke Town 3-2 after extra time, despite battling back from a two-goal deficit to equalise in the final minute of injury time. The Hawks went one better in their 2014-15 Conference South campaign, finishing 5th and making the playoffs. However, the Hawks lost 4–2 on aggregate to eventual winners Boreham Wood. During this season, the Hawks also made the first round proper of the FA Cup, losing eventually to League One side Preston North End. Despite starting the 2015-16 Conference South season as favourites, the Hawks were relegated on goal difference. They did, however, win the Hampshire Senior Cup, beating Winchester City 5–3 on penalties at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton. Placed into the Isthmian League following relegation, the Havant & Waterlooville board kept faith with manager Lee Bradbury, who led the team to