Guts and glory leaves Hawks boss delighted

The hosts claimed a 2-1 win in the second-round clash, with Josh Hill and Shamir Mullings on target.

The defeat of Welling made it two successive wins over National League opposition as the Hawks moved into the last 16.

It was even more commendable given the fact Brian Stock and Scott Donnelly turned out despite illness.

Both played important parts in the much-deserved victory which put the Hawks into the hat for today’s third-round draw.

Stock commanded the area in front of the back four and Donnelly helped keep Bradbury’s side moving forward.

The only dampener for the Hawks was the news Basingstoke Town had beaten Hemel Hempstead, a result which left them propping up National League South.

The Hawks will host Basingstoke next weekend in a huge relegation battle.

And Bradbury will insist upon another brave display from his men.

‘I was pleased with our performance and have told the players we have to show the same amount of determination in the league games,’ said the Hawks boss.

‘If we do that, I am convinced we will start to climb the table.

‘After this we can start to look a bit more positive in our play.

‘Draws are no good to us now – we have to go out to win games.

‘Hopefully this will be the catalyst to improve our league performances.

‘We went for it on Saturday and I thought our win was well deserved.

‘Confidence is a huge factor and it showed some of our belief is coming back.

‘When they equalised, we brushed ourselves down and kept on playing.

‘It was difficult with the pitch being so heavy and we had a couple of players who were a little bit ill.

‘We were able to nullify their quick counter-attacks, defend well and then quickly get our players on the ball.’

The Hawks made the early breakthrough when Hill notched his first goal for the club on 11 minutes.

The loanee defender ventured up for a free-kick and ended up knocking the ball in from six yards as the Welling defence stood still.

But within seven minutes the visitors were level when Reece Harris lashed home a fierce shot.

Both teams had chances after that but it was the introduction of substitute Ben Swallow midway through the second half that proved decisive.

Within a minute he ran at the visiting defence and stood up a wonderful cross for Mullings to head home.

After that it was largely plain sailing for the Hawks, with Pompey’s Jack Whatmough sent on to see out the win.

Hawks: Young, Strugnell, Medway, Stock, Dutton, Hill, Ciardini (Swallow, 61min), Donnelly (Whatmough, 74min), Mullings, Hayter (Paterson, 74min), Lewis. Att: 371