Battling Hawks seek cure for travel sickness

Lee Bradbury’s side have only won once in 13 games on their travels so far this season, picking up just five from the 39 points on offer.

If the Hawks are to climb away from the relegation zone, Bradbury accepts that will have to improve.

‘Something has got to change because our away form has been terrible,’ said Bradbury.

‘We need to make sure we are more solid away from home and pick up at least a point, if not all three.

‘It is a case of not going all out too early to try and win the game but still putting the opposition under pressure.

‘We must stay in games for as long as possible and that will help us nick more points on the road.

‘It is a chance for us to complete a rare double because we have already beaten them once this season.

‘The players showed their battling qualities against Basingstoke and kept going right to the end.

‘We will need the same again and more at Maidenhead.’

Pompey loanee defender Jack Whatmough is set to play his final game before returning to his parent club.

Whatmough made his first start in the 1-0 win over Basingstoke and showed just what a class act he is.

The youngster didn’t put a foot wrong and that was after being out of the game for over nine months.

Bradbury would love to keep him on board for a bit longer and isn’t ruling the possibility out.

‘I’d like to be able to do something and keep him with us,’ said Bradbury.

‘He was phenomenal against Basingstoke and he and Josh Hill formed a strong partnership together.

‘It depends whether Portsmouth see part of his development continuing with us.

‘I like to think he might need a few more minutes before competing for a first-team place at Fratton Park.

‘We will have to wait and see.’

Bradbury has managed to secure the services of Hill for the rest of the season on loan from Boreham Wood.

Hill is another who has hardly put a foot wrong since arriving at Westleigh Park.

‘This is brilliant for us,’ said Bradbury.

‘He has a lot of experience, having been promoted with Boreham Wood last season and that will come in handy.

‘If they hadn’t gone full-time he would still be playing at National League level with them.

‘He is a big, strong lad who can compete, win his headers and also play.

‘Since coming in he has marshalled the back four well.’

Hawks: Young, Strugnell, Hill, Whatmough, Cummings, Stock, Donnelly, Ciardini, Lewis, Paterson, Mullings, Swallow, Morgan, Molyneaux, Medway, Hayter, Thomson, Blanchett