Hawks boss Doswell looking for ‘something to change’ in bid to banish ‘Saturday afternoon blues’

The Hawks have lost five home National League South games this season - every single one of them on a Saturday.

They also lost at home on a Saturday to Dulwich Hamlet in the FA Cup.

If the Hawks are to maintain the pressure on NLS leaders Wealdstone, Doswell recognises that record cannot be extended.

'Something has to change if we are to continue giving ourselves a chance,' he commented.

'It is something that is difficult to explain.

'I am convinced it isn't something that has got into our heads.

'We prepare the right way and the players go out confident, but a catalogue of circumstances have led to us losing.

'For three of the defeats we went down to ten men, and added to that we have also missed five penalties.

'We need to put this little problem to bed and there is no better time to start than now.

'It is important that we take all three points from this game.'

Another terrific away win at Billericay in midweek - the club’s 10th in 16 away league outings - lifted Hawks back up to second place.

They are now five points behind Wealdstone, but have played a game more as they bid for their second NLS title in three seasons.

After losing against St Albans on February 22, Doswell thought the Hawks’ title dream had been extinguished.

But successive wins against Slough Town and Billericay - and Wealdstone picking up just one point from their last two matches - have reignited their hopes once more.

There are still ten games remaining - virtually a quarter of the season - and Doswell regarded the win at Billericay as one of their best results of 2019/20.

Another encouraging factor was the return to the goal trail of Jonah Ayunga.

'Billericay hadn't been beaten at home all season,' said Doswell.

'Also, they hadn't lost a midweek home game for two years.

'It was a brilliant result gained on a pitch that wasn't really fit for purpose.

'The way we were prepared to stick in there gave me a lot of hope.

'It was great to see Jonah scoring again.

'His goal was a terrific left-foot finish into the top corner following a great team move.

'He is a big player for us.

'If Wealdstone continue to wobble we have to make sure we stay in a position to exploit that.'

All the players came through Tuesday's Essex trip unscathed, so Doswell has virtually a full-strength squad to choose from.

Striker Danny Kedwell is sitting out the second game of his three-match suspension, and Roarie Deacon - sidelined since the end of September - isn't quite ready to make his return.