Hawks manager Paul Doswell is pleased to see that his side have come back fighting fit and raring to go after the lockdown forced a premature end to the campaign. 

After a four-month absence from football, a friendly match has already been played in preparation for the Play-off semi-final against Slough Town or Dartford.

With the first friendly taking place last Saturday, Doswell was full of praise for his side, “It was a very, very competitive game. Certainly, for the first hour which is when both teams played their first team.

“Really, really positive. I thought our lads looked very fit. And against a very good side we showed up well.

“But just the general fitness levels were great to look at for Saturday, and the reminders really of what we’ve been doing all season to get second. It was good.”

Doswell believes advantages will be there for both teams at the play-off semi-final regarding it as a ‘swings and roundabouts’ situation:

“I think it’s a big advantage to them having had a competitive game and we haven’t. We’re inter-squad game on the 18th, but having a real competitive game with a winner at the end, means they will come to us with that winning mentality.”

But the gaffer remains unfazed, “The little advantage we get back on that, is that they won’t have watched us the week before as we would have watched them, so there’s all swings and roundabouts.”

A lot has also been going on behind the scenes at Westleigh Park. With the Club planning to install new League two standard flood lights, as well as a hospitality suite to ensure the match day experience for those working and those supporting, is greatly improved. 

Manager Doswell believes these changes will only push the Club in the right direction, “You go to some other clubs and see what unbelievable facilities they have for match days, and we’ve got an amazing boardroom here that overlooks the pitch, but to have a hospitality suite for match day, along with other changes we’re making, including the new 3G pitch, we’re trying to provide extra income for the Club during these difficult times.

“It’s been non-stop here over the last 8-10 weeks, it just puts the club in a good place really whatever league we’re in.”

By Ryan Honey (@ryanhoney9)