Paul Doswell concedes failure to beat St Albans City could end Hawks' National League South title hopes

Paul Doswell believes only three points will be good enough as the Hawks host lowly St Albans City in the National League South.
Injured Hawks defender Sam Magri has been called into the Maltese national squad. Picture: Dave HainesInjured Hawks defender Sam Magri has been called into the Maltese national squad. Picture: Dave Haines
Injured Hawks defender Sam Magri has been called into the Maltese national squad. Picture: Dave Haines

Anything less than a win would be a huge disappointment as the Hawks continue to chase down leaders Wealdstone.

The Hawks are fourth, seven points behind Wealdstone having played a game more.

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With second-placed Slough due to visit the south coast next Wednesday, it promises to be a big week for Doswell's side.

‘We must win our next two home games if we are to stay in with a chance of winning the title,’ said Doswell.

‘In fact, we will probably have to win 11 of our last 13 games.

‘We have to be targeting all three points against St Albans to start with.

‘This season we have dropped too many points at home.

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‘One of the main reasons for this is failing to take our chances.

‘We have not been clinical enough in front of goal.

‘Too many times we have got ourselves into the lead and not gone on to win.

‘We have failed to get the second goal to kill teams off.

‘This has allowed them to get a sniff and teams have made the most of that.’

Doswell has suggested that he intends to strengthen his squad further with the addition of a loan player from a Football League club.

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If this goes ahead, the new addition will go straight into the squad.

Defender Sam Magri is likely to be two weeks away from returning following his calf injury.

But the former Pompey man has been boosted by a call-up for the Maltese international squad for games against Azerbaijan and Gibraltar.

It does mean that the Hawks will have to do without him for a week.

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Doswell hopes to have long-term absentee Roarie Deacon back by the beginning of next month.

Simon Walton and Bedsente Gomis return to the squad, having missed last week’s 1-1 draw at Slough through suspension.

Although St Albans are third from bottom, Doswell believes not too much notice should be taken of that.

‘They have brought seven different players in since we played them (in early November),’ said Doswell.

‘Also, they had a great 3-0 win at Bath City.

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‘We will have to be alert because they are very quick going forwards.

‘Up front, we will have to make sure that we put our chances away.

‘The other thing we have to contend with is our pitch.

‘It will be very soft and likely to cut up badly.

‘That makes getting the ball down and passing it difficult.

‘In these circumstances, we may need to be a bit more direct in getting the ball up to our forwards.’

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