Portsmouth winger Ryan Williams' twin brother joins Hawks ahead of Notts County FA Trophy tie

Hawks have bolstered their playing numbers ahead of the FA Trophy visit of Notts County this weekend by bringing in Aryn Williams.
Aryn Williams, right. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty ImagesAryn Williams, right. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images
Aryn Williams, right. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

The Aussie, 27, twin brother of Pompey winger Ryan, has been drafted into Paul Doswell's squad prior to Saturday's last-16 tie against Neal Ardley's National League side.

Versatile Aryn, without a club since departing Indonesian outfit Persebaya Surbaya early last year, has been training with Hawks and has now joined on a non-contract basis.

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Doswell was awaiting international clearance which was rubber-stamped last week in order for him to sign on.

Aryn's arrival and availability to face County will come as a welcome boost to Hawks with Tony Lee (Poole), Moussa Bakayoko (Dartford) and Oxford loanee Leon Chambers Parillon (Biggleswade) all cup-tied.

But Doswell will not be expecting too much from a player who has not played a competitive match in the best part of 10 months.

The Hawks boss said: ‘Aryn’s international clearance has gone through, it came through on Friday.

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‘We’ve not actually seen him in a game yet but he’s trained with us, he’s signed a league form, so there’s no reason why we can’t involve him on Saturday.

'He wanted to come in and train and he’s happy with how it is at the minute.

‘I think (since) the first lockdown in March he hasn’t played a game, so we’re now talking almost a year.

‘He’s an incredibly fit lad because you can see that in the running they do.

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‘But he’s nine to 10 months now since he’s played a game, so it’s not easy for him.'

New addition Aryn joined his Hawks team-mates at Westleigh Park as they returned to training yesterday following a 10-day self-imposed isolation period.

All players and staff returned a negative Covid-19 test result on Monday and another round will be done again at training on Thursday.

It's a strange time for the club with a decision still up in the air over whether the National League will be concluded this term.

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Currently, both South and North divisions are suspended until Friday with several clubs keen for the campaign to be curtailed after being told the latest Government funding support would arrive as loans rather than grants.

But whatever happens past this weekend, Doswell says the whole squad will just enjoy being back doing what they love - even if it's just for this week.

‘We’re in Monday, Tuesday, Thursday this week, so we’ll be in for three days, obviously ready for the game on Saturday,' he said.

‘It’s nice to be able to get out of the house again because it’s not fun for young people to be stuck indoors not being able to do what they like doing.

‘We’ll just do as much as we can and do the best we can.

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‘It’s a week to really look forward to, it’s a free-hit, no-one expects us to beat Notts County especially as we’ve only played once or twice in the last six weeks.

‘But it does gives us a game of football and football can throw up some weird and wonderful things.

‘We’re under no illusions that Notts County are a really good side. If you look at the side they put out against Stockport (in the last round), and the fact they’re staying in a hotel the night before, probably tells you they’ll be taking it seriously.'

Hawks' FA Trophy last-16 tie with Notts County will kick-off at 1pm on Saturday.

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