EFL loanees bid to end Hawks’ FA Cup hopes
A QUARTET of EFL loanees stand in Hawks’ way of reaching the FA Cup first round proper for the first time since 2014.
Bath City boss Jerry
Gill has used his local connections to bring in Bristol City pair Tommy Conway, 18, and Freddie Hinds, 21, as well as Bristol Rovers’ Lucas Tomlinson, 19.
Alongside that, they've got Walsall defender Tom Leak, 19, and they are all expected to line-up for the Romans in the fourth qualifying round tie at Twerton Park on Saturday.
Conway, a striker, has so far netted four goals in his two home appearances - two against Winchester City in a 3-2 FA Cup win and another brace in a 2-0 National League South victory against Billericay.
Fellow Bristol City loanee Hinds grabbed the only goal in Bath’s fine 1-0 FA Cup third qualifying round win at divisional rivals Slough Town.
Like Hawks, the Romans finished in play-off places last season. And like Hawks, they have a host of new signings on show.
Ryan Harley and Lloyd James - two midfielders with extensive EFL experience - arrived after being released by MK Dons and Forest Green Rovers respectively.
Right-back Callum Evans and striker Donovan Wilson were also snapped up after leaving Port Vale and Macclesfield respectively.
Wilson and midfielder Frankie Artus could return against Hawks after missing last weekend’s 1-0 league loss at Dartford through injury.
Bath lost just two of their 17 home league matches last season while the Hawks are unbeaten in 18 games on the road since Paul Doswell took charge last summer.
It promises to be an intriguing tie and in these tough times for clubs the £9,375 on offer for the winner brings an added incentive.
But Gill is taking nothing for granted and is not underestimating the size of task facing his side against ‘dangerous’ Hawks team.
Speaking ahead of the tie, the Bath boss said: ‘Havant’s front boys are really, really lively - they’re always a very dangerous side - but we want to make Twerton a fortress.’