Bradbury focused on home improvements

Two successive defeats on their own turf have dented their title ambitions.

The Hawks cannot afford to keep slipping up.

They have the ideal opportunity to put things right now with two home matches in a row.

In both the recent defeats, against Needham Market and Billericay, the Hawks gifted the opposition goals enabling them to get on the front foot.

‘It is important we take command in our next two games,’ said the Hawks boss.

‘They are not easy games against teams fighting for their lives near the bottom of the league.

‘We feel we owe our home fans a couple of performances.

‘It is a chance to build some momentum and it is important we take it.

‘The secret to us pushing on is matching our good away results at home.

‘First and foremost we need to defend properly because we have been guilty of giving away some sloppy goals.

‘We have to stop taking any chances on the ball.

‘If we can keep clean sheets then we are creating more than enough chances to win games.

‘It is time for us to be clinical and ruthless in both boxes

‘We have an experienced group of players and they need to show that now.’

The Hawks’ excellent 2-0 win at Harlow proved particularly useful with their closest rivals at the top dropping points.

Bognor and Dulwich Hamlet drew, Leiston lost at home and Needham Market suffered a 6-0 thumping at Billericay in midweek.

If the Hawks can win the next two home games then it will add to the pressure on their rivals.

It is a time for Bradbury’s team to be ruthless and ensure they don’t allow Hendon and then Merstham, who head to Westleigh Park next, any foothold in the games.

They need to get on the front foot early and maintain their tempo.

‘We have been creating more than enough chances,’ said Bradbury.

‘Now we must put more of them away particularly early in games so that we take charge.’

The home side are waiting on the fitness of defender Rory Williams.

He was accidently injured by his own team-mate at Harlow.

In the changing room, fellow defender Ed Harris stepped back on his toe and ripped his toenail off.

This is a pivotal game for the Hawks because they are still right in the race for the title and if they can improve their home form it could make all the difference.

Hawks: Young, Strugnell, Woodford, Harris, Molyneaux, Carter, Stock, Lewis, Rutherford, Prior, Tarbuck, Fogden, Barker, Paterson, Hayter, Robinson, Williams