Rose set to bloom on home turf for Hawks

Jordan Rose is set to make his home bow for the Hawks against AFC Sudbury tomorrow (3pm).
The Hawks will take on AFC Sudbury tomorrowThe Hawks will take on AFC Sudbury tomorrow
The Hawks will take on AFC Sudbury tomorrow

He made his first appearance in the 4-1 Ryman League premier division win at Enfield last weekend.

Despite giving away a penalty, he did enough to show he can be an important asset as the Hawks step up their bid for the title.

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It was his first game following a six-month ban after an altercation in a pre-season friendly playing for Hemel Hempstead.

‘I thought Jordan did well considering he hasn’t played for so long,’ said Hawks manager Lee Bradbury.

‘He is a big physical player and a good leader on the pitch who makes demands of players around him.

‘His timing was a bit off for the penalty but that was down to the time he has been out of the game.

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‘I am expecting him to be a threat at the other end of the pitch from set-pieces.

‘He is a strong individual who likes to attack the ball and scored 12 goals last season.

‘Defensively we have been strong but his arrival gives us an extra option.

‘I didn’t want us to be caught out by injury and suspensions in the important run-in to the end of the season.’

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The impressive win at Enfield kept the Hawks in second place, a point behind Bognor, with a game in hand.

With teams around them dropping points in midweek it only served to strengthen the Hawks position.

Bradbury will be disappointed if his side don’t beat lowly AFC Sudbury at Westleigh Park.

The visitors have lost their past seven away games, including a thumping 4-1 defeat at Wingate & Finchley in midweek.

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Defender Dan Strugnell is ruled out by injury and there is a big doubt over young striker Alfie Rutherford.

The former Rocks forward came off at half-time in the Enfield game with a hamstring problem.

His replacement Matt Paterson produced an inspired second-half performance and could be knocking on the door for a start.

Bradbury’s team will start the game as firm favourites.

But the boss knows his team has slipped up before this season against lower sides.

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‘We cannot take anything for granted because they are scrapping for their lives,’ said Bradbury.

‘Their poor away record is something they will be desperate to change.

‘We have to be cautious but at the same time not fear them.

‘I will be looking for us to get on the front foot early and increase the pressure on them.

‘We are at home and must take the game to them looking to grab the important first goal.

‘If we do that then we can build from there.’

Hawks: Young, Woodford, Rose, Harris, Williams, Stock, Fogden, Lewis, Prior, Tarbuck, Paterson, Rutherford, Molyneaux, Carter, Barker, Swallow, Hayter