Home comforts could hold the key for Hawks in race to catch National League South leaders Wealdstone

Paul Doswell is urging the Hawks to keep up the good work at home as they continue to chase down league National League South leaders Wealdstone.
Danny Kedwell (centre) is joined by his Hawks team-mates after netting against Weymouth. Picture by Dave HainesDanny Kedwell (centre) is joined by his Hawks team-mates after netting against Weymouth. Picture by Dave Haines
Danny Kedwell (centre) is joined by his Hawks team-mates after netting against Weymouth. Picture by Dave Haines

The thrilling 3-2 midweek win against Weymouth ended a run of two successive defeats at Westleigh Park.

They did it the hard way after Bedsente Gomis was sent-off on the hour on his home debut.

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Doswell recognises the importance of building on that success as Dulwich Hamlet make the trip to the south coast tomorrow.

The two sides have met twice already this season, with the south London side claiming an FA Cup win at Westleigh Park.

It was the Hawks, however, who won the league encounter at Champion Hill last month - coming from a goal down to score three times in the final 15 minutes.

The Hawks moved up to second in after seeing off the Terras, leaving them six points behind leaders Wealdstone.

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And a league double over Dulwich would serve to intensify the pressure at the top.

‘Winning our home games will be key for us,’ said Doswell.

'We showed a lot of character to beat Weymouth after playing the final half-hour with ten men.

‘The team showed great mental resilience.

‘After losing our previous two home games, it would have been easy at that point to feel sorry for ourselves.

‘Instead, we dug in and picked up three massive points.

‘We must look to use this as a springboard in future home games.

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‘Dulwich are dangerous opponents and we have seen that already here in the FA Cup.

‘They also beat Chelmsford 5-3 in their last game, so we know what they are all about.

‘We will have to make sure that we keep our structure defensively because we can hurt anyone going forward.

‘All the players put a real shift in and now we need them to recover quickly.’

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Doswell is expecting his side to maintain the desire and fight they showed in midweek.

Striker Jonah Ayunga announced his return to the starting line-up after injury with a goal - his 13th in the league this season.

Now the Hawks boss wants more clinical finishing moving forward.

Against Weymouth, they missed three gilt-edged chances before eventually taking the lead.

‘We have to be far more ruthless,’ added Doswell.

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‘In the majority of our home games, we have dominated but missed too many chances.

‘There is still a third of the season left to play and we have another big job to do against Dulwich.’

Wes Fogden remains unlikely to feature because of injury.

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