Hawes enjoying his chance

Hawes arrived in the summer after negotiating a release from his contract at Alfreton, but began the 2012/13 campaign on the bench.

It wasn’t until the 7th September that he started a game, in the FA Cup against Frickley, however two poor performances saw him back among the substitutes until 20th October.

Since then the 6ft 4ins defender has been a regular fixture, forming a solid partnership alongside Kern Miller.

He told the Guardian of his early season experience at Worksop: “It was so frustrating, week in and week out.”

“Even when we weren’t winning, I wasn’t getting a shirt. It was hard to keep faith, but I’ve been in that position before and it’s about how you respond when you get a chance.”

When Hawes’ second chance came in October against Kendal Town he grabbed it with both hands in a Man of the Match performance, helping Tigers to a clean sheet and a 3-0 victory.

He’s a much happier 25-year-old now that he’s getting on the pitch.

“I’m playing quite well, I could always improve and I never walk off feeling I’ve done everything I can perfectly, but I can’t be disheartened because I’m in the team and we’re doing well,” he said.

“It’s good at Worksop, the lads are chirpy and there’s a lot of banter flying about, it’s a good atmosphere to work in.”

“We’re all there for each other, there’s a good team spirit.”

Worksop boss Simon Clark is not shy about letting his players, Hawes included, know how he rates their performance during matches, and the defender values the feedback.

“It’s good information, it’s things you need to know and it helps.”

“I’ve been caught off guard before, like against Frickley when I wasn’t expecting Gavin Allott to pick up his pace and go round me, but if you know he’s got that in his locker then you can expect it and be ready for it.”

“The gaffer gives a lot of information and it’s information that’s needed, and I think he knows how to treat his players.”

A neck injury sustained in the first half on Saturday saw Hawes replaced at the break, although it wasn’t thought to be serious.

Although the win over Stocksbridge Park Steels came without an impressive performance, Hawes said the points were all important.

“We’ve got to take it as a positive, it’s an old cliche but it’s good to be in a side that doesn’t necessarily play well but wins.”

“We’ll take it, we have to.”

“But we do need to pick it up and improve for the games coming up,” he added.