Midfielder Bedsente Gomis in line for Hawks debut at Concord Rangers - and hints a striker could follow him to the club

Latest recruit Bedsente Gomis is drafted straight into the Hawks' squad for their Vanarama National League South visit to Concord Rangers (3pm).
New Hawks signing Bedsente Gomis in action for Barrow. Picture: Jake McNultyNew Hawks signing Bedsente Gomis in action for Barrow. Picture: Jake McNulty
New Hawks signing Bedsente Gomis in action for Barrow. Picture: Jake McNulty

The 31-year-old French midfielder has agreed a deal with the club until the end of the season.

Manager Paul Doswell had Gomis with him for three years at Sutton United during which time he made 99 appearances for the south London side.

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He was a member of their National League South winning team in 2015/16 and the Hawks boss believes he can prove to be a real asset at Westleigh Park.

‘Bedsente is a box-to-box midfielder and good at winning the ball back,’ said Doswell.

‘He also makes good late runs into the box and can get you at least seven goals a season from midfield.

‘At our level, you need your midfield players to be athletic and he is that.

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‘Last season he was at Dover and after a short spell in Dubai went back to France.

‘He has missed English football and we are pleased to get him back here.’

Doswell also intimated that he is also looking to bring a new striker in on loan.

But he isn't sure whether this can happen in time for the weekend.

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With a very busy and important spell of games coming up in the next month, the manager is keen to strengthen his squad.

He views the trip to Concord as a difficult one as the Hawks look to defend one of only two unbeaten away records in the top six tiers of English football - runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool have the other.

The Canvey Island club won't attract a large crowd and the visitors will have to generate their own atmosphere.

‘It is another hard place to go and get a result,’ said Doswell.

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That is something the Hawks have done well this season, though.

‘We have already been to similar places like Hungerford and Chippenham and come away with points,’ said Doswell.

‘On a difficult pitch, we could have come away with another win at Chippenham (0-0 last weekend).

‘We hit the crossbar three times, the post once and overall had 10 clear chances.

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‘Every point counts and with more than a third of the season to go, there’s plenty to play for.’

The Hawks could only take 14 players to Chippenham, including their academy goalkeeper.

For the trip to Essex, Doswell is boosted by the return of two key players.

Top scorer Jonah Ayunga and defender Craig Robson are both ready to return to the squad after injury.

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The Hawks slipped from second to fourth in midweek after Tuesday’s game at Billericay was postponed.

This allowed play-off chasing rivals Slough Town and Weymouth, who both won, to leapfrog above them.

Weymouth visit Westleigh Park next Wednesday in another crunch encounter.

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