Dos hails character in tough conditions

Paul Doswell hailed his players’ character for coming from behind to beat Dulwich Hamlet in horrendous wind and rain.

‘That was as good a game as you are likely to see in those conditions,’ he said after Hawks’ 3-1 victory at a rainswept Westleigh Park.

‘The players said it was virtually impossible at times to play good football.

‘Wind is the big killer of football and it was 40/45 mph wind at times tonight.

‘It’s a good job we’ve got the 3G pitch - that pitch won us three points. Without it, I think the game would have been called off.’

Doswell, below, added: ‘It was a very difficult night for the players, it’s not a game for analysing the stats too closely.

‘We’ll look at the running stats but there’s not much point looking at the passing accuracy.

‘The weather made good players look silly at times.

‘To come from behind and be 2-1 up at half-time with the wind against us showed great character by the players.

‘We knew at 2-1 up with the wind behind us in the second half it was game over, providing we didn’t do anything silly.

‘I thought the back three of Magri, Diarra and Robson were outstanding - Craig Robson was my man of the match.

‘That’s eight (league and cup) games we’ve played now and we’ve won six, drawn one and lost one - that’s a good start in my book.

‘If we win on Saturday we’ll have averaged two points a game and if we carry on like that we’ll be right up there.’

Hawks have played fewer National League South games than anyone else, and went into the game 12 points adrift of leaders Dartford.

As a result, victory over Dulwich was crucial.

‘On our way here tonight, we were saying this felt like a game we had to win - and I know that sounds a bit silly so early in the season,’ said Doswell.