Why manager Paul Doswell was absent for Hawks' victory against Oxford City

Manager Paul Doswell missed the Hawks' National League South victory against Oxford City at Westleigh Park because of illness.
Hawks boss Paul Doswell. Picture: Dave HainesHawks boss Paul Doswell. Picture: Dave Haines
Hawks boss Paul Doswell. Picture: Dave Haines

The 54-year-old was under the weather and absent from the touchline as his side came from behind to clinch a 2-1 victory.

Doswell still managed to watch on from home, though, and would surely have been relieved to see the Hawks come away with all three points after falling behind in the first half.

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In his absence, it was left to his long-serving assistant manager Ian Baird and coach Simon Walton to take charge for the afternoon.

Walton joked Doswell would have been feeling as 'sick as a dog or even sicker' after watching the Hawks' first-half display against Oxford City.

But the former Leeds midfielder hopes coming away with all three points in the end will have given the manager some satisfaction.

Walton said: 'He (Paul Doswell) was a little bit under the weather.

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‘Obviously, it’s that time of the year coming up to Christmas when everyone has the sniffles.

‘Him and Bairdy have worked together for years so it was nothing new and I’m sure he’ll be back fighting fit this week.

‘I promise no-one will mention anything about him staying away because you’ve got no chance of him staying away!

‘Hopefully it will make the gaffer feel a little bit better.

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‘For sure, at 45 minutes, he was as sick as a dog or even sicker than a dog! But hopefully the win will pick him up a little bit and we’ll be back in next week ready to go for another game at the weekend.’Doswell is expected to be back to take training next week.

The Hawks' next test now comes away at Welling United on Saturday after Tuesday's trip to Bath City was postponed because of Covid-19 concerns.

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