Pompey striker hopes to inflict more Plymouth pain

OLI HAWKINS is hoping his side can inflict more pain on Plymouth.
Oli Hawkins. Picture: Joe Pepler/PinPepOli Hawkins. Picture: Joe Pepler/PinPep
Oli Hawkins. Picture: Joe Pepler/PinPep

The Pompey striker believes his team can deliver a repeat of the winning feeling he savoured on his last trip to Home Park.

Hawkins was part of the Dagenham & Redbridge side who stunned Derek Adams’ troops at the end of the 2015-16 season and put a huge dent in their League Two automatic promotion hopes.

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The Daggers had already been relegated to the National League, but picked up a shock 3-2 success.

Oli Hawkins. Picture: Joe Pepler/PinPepOli Hawkins. Picture: Joe Pepler/PinPep
Oli Hawkins. Picture: Joe Pepler/PinPep

Hawkins left the bench for his sixth appearance in league football after making the move from Hemel Hempstead. The 26-year-old’s memories of that occasion are still vivid.

Hawkins said: ‘We played a big part in stopping them getting promoted.

‘We won the game 3-2. We went 2-0 up really early and 3-0 up before half-time.

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‘It was only a few games after I’d moved from non-league football. I was not up to scratch then.

Oli Hawkins. Picture: Joe Pepler/PinPepOli Hawkins. Picture: Joe Pepler/PinPep
Oli Hawkins. Picture: Joe Pepler/PinPep

‘I remember coming on and I couldn’t breathe the game was so quick! I was on for a few minutes but I felt like I was going to die!

‘They were just on us because they really needed a win to get promoted.

‘I remember it so clearly. I came on up front on my own and we were defending.

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‘So I was just running from defender to defender and blowing – I couldn’t breathe!

‘They needed the win but didn’t get it. We interrupted it for them and they lost in the play-off final.’

Hawkins is likely to be on the bench again this weekend, after helping Pompey to a 1-0 success over Plymouth in November. He noted the Pilgrims’ progress since the loss, but stated his side go into the game with belief.

Hawkins added: ‘We’re in a good run of form and it’s going to be interesting.

‘We hope and believe we can be too strong for them.

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‘I don’t feel any of the players are going to be nervous or have any fear.

‘We are going to go out there like it’s a normal game.

‘I’m sure the boys will come good and get a result.

‘Since we’ve played them at home they’ve done really well. When we played them that day they were really struggling. Since that game it seems like they’ve been on a massive run. Look at them now – they’re fighting for the play-offs like us.

‘The belief is there with all the boys, though. We’ve got five games to go and I think the boys know if they fight it could work out for us.’

– JORDAN CROSS