Hawks set to face two of the top three goalscorers in the National League South

Paul Doswell’s men host Bath City at Westleigh Park aiming to bounce back from their first league defeat of 2022/23.

Hawks’ club record start to a sixth tier season was ended when Josh Ashby struck a late, late winner for Oxford City.

But Doswell knows it won’t be easy against a Bath side who are much improved from last season.

They boast the division’s leading marksman in 11-goal Cody Cooke, while seven-goal Alex Fletcher is the third highest scorer.

Both Cooke and Fletcher were on target when the Romans won 3-1 at Hawks last December.

Those two - along with former Eastleigh forward Scott Wilson - pose a huge threat to a Hawks defence which will still be without Joash Nembhard (foot injury).

‘I’d say Bath are a very similar side to us,’ said Doswell. ‘Their front three are as good as any in the division.

‘They’re not a side like Ebbsfleet or Oxford who will try to play you off the park, they can mix it up a bit.

‘They’ve got the same sort of qualities as we have, I can see them being a top seven side all day long.’

Striker Danny Wright passed a fitness test after seeing an osteopath last Friday and started against Oxford.

But he remains a doubt for Bath’s visit with fellow forward Jason Prior definitely sidelined.

‘Both Danny and Jason are seeing a chiropractor this week,’ said Doswell. ‘Danny is unlikely (for Bath), Jason no and Joash no.’

Tommy Wright made his first appearance of 2022/23 after pre-season surgery as a late sub against Oxford. It wasn’t a memorable comeback, as he was sent off late on for dissent after a penalty appeal was waved away.

He will now be suspended for two matches - this weekend’s trip to Cheshunt and next Wednesday’s summit showdown with leaders Ebbsfleet at Westleigh Park.

Doswell said Wright has been fined for his dismissal, but was philosophical about his forthcoming suspension. ‘We’d only be getting 15 or 20 minutes out of Tommy in those games anyway,’ he conceded.

Regarding the Oxford loss, Doswell said: ‘One side kept possession well and made the occasional chance, and we did a lot of huffing and puffing and looked blunt if I’m being honest.

‘We are struggling up top at the moment, and that’s affected us these past few games.’