Hawks hopes Harlow win can be catalyst

Second-half goals from Theo Lewis and substitute Wes Fogden secured the win against hosts who boasted the best home record in the Ryman League premier division.

It was a tight, feisty affair at times, on the 3G pitch but it was the Hawks who showed their quality to come out on top.

For the visitors, it was a 10th win on the road this season and Bradbury wants his troops to use it as a springboard to further success.

The Hawks have narrowed the gap on leaders Bognor to four points and still have two games in hand on the Nyewood Lane outfit.

Bradbury now needs his team to bring their away game mentality back to Westleigh Park where they have struggled of late.

They have the perfect opportunity coming up – with the next two games at home against teams from the lower end of the table.

‘This is another good win for us and now is the time we need to step it up,’ said Bradbury.

‘It is the time of the season when a good run can make all the difference.

‘If we can go six or seven games unbeaten, then it starts to up the pressure on the other teams pushing for the title.

‘It starts with our next two games at home because winning them will give us the momentum we need.

‘Six points from them will put us in a good position.

‘We know our home form has not been good enough and we need to change it.’

Bradbury will be encouraged by the physical and mental strength his side showed in their latest win.

If they can bring the same to their home games then the Hawks’ title ambitions can become a reality.

A cagey first-half ended goalless and the visitors coped well with the early loss of Rory Williams to a changing room accident.

Before the game Ed Harris accidentally stepped on his toe and ripped off his toe-nail.

Williams started the game but soon had to be replaced by Lee Molyneaux.

Bradbury added: ‘We had to be strong.

‘Harlow were a big, strong, physical outfit and I was pleased with the way we stood up to them.

‘They were in our faces, trying to stop us from playing and it took us a little while to get used to their pitch.

‘In the second half I thought we were better on the ball and opened them up.’

The breakthrough came in the 53rd minute when Lewis finished well after a clever ball from Alfie Rutherford.

Substitute Fogden then sealed the win two minutes from the end with another neat finish.

Hawks: Young, Woodford, Harris, Strugnell, Williams (Molyneaux, 28min), Stock (Fogden, 68min), Carter, Lewis, Prior (Barker, 81min), Rutherford, Tarbuck. Att: 216