Bradbury: Time to turn up heat at the top

Bradbury’s men are handily placed in third spot, six points behind National League South leaders Dartford, but with three games in hand.

The Hawks boss wants his team to now turn up the pressure at the top starting with a win at Tatnam Park (3pm).

Bradbury said: ‘After losing and drawing our last two games I want us to get back on the winning track.

‘Before losing at Dartford we had been on a good run and I want to see us getting back to that.

‘Our performances have been good and if we maintain our standards will have an excellent chance of getting a result.

‘It is an important stage of the season with games coming thick and fast.

‘Our results away from home have been good.

‘On decent pitches we have been able to play some decent football.

‘I know Poole have had their own problems with their pitch but it is still better than ours at the moment.

‘The players are excited about the chance to play on a better surface.

‘It won’t be an easy game though because Poole are unbeaten in their last three games.

‘They are in their best form of the season and showed in the 2-2 draw at our place what a decent side they can be.

‘They have also beaten some good sides so we will need to be on our guard.’

In the first meeting between the two sides in October, Jason Prior and Alfie Rutherford were the home goalscorers.

Since then Prior has endured a lean spell and hasn’t scored in the league in over two months.

It hasn’t been a huge problem because fellow striker Matt Tubbs has taken over the main goalscoring mantle.

Bradbury believes it could be the ideal opportunity for Prior to regain his goal touch.

He said: ‘Earlier in the season Jason carried us with his goalscoring.

‘Even though he has had a lean spell the team is still threatening and scoring goals.

‘He has played a big part in that because he offers much more than just goals.

‘I see him as an old fashioned centre forward; a big strong target man. They are a dying breed.

‘He is a real workhorse up front always putting in a huge shift for the team.

‘Sometimes that can take him out of position. We want him in the box where he will score goals.’

The visitors are waiting on the fitness of defender Dan Strugnell who has been ill. Josh Huggins, who has rejoined the club from Farnborough, comes into contention.