Former Maldon forward Hawes scored two in his first game as AFC won 4-1 at Sutton Coldfield, and followed this with a hat-trick in the 4-1 FA Trophy preliminary round victory at Waltham Forest at the weekend.

"That's the reason we got him in," said AFC manager Nicky Smith. "He will score goals. He is a big presence up front, and he takes some of the pressure off James Rowe."

But Smith has cautioned patience on Saturday, when struggling Barton Rovers are the visitors for a Southern League Midland division game (3pm).

"The expectation is always high, and this can put pressure on the players. It's different at home, and I hope the fans will be patient and get behind us as we go for another win."

After two league defeats, and a demand from the management for greater commitment, AFC have responded in fine style with eight goals in their last two games. "To come back as we have, I can't ask any more of the players," said Smith.

Smith will be forced to change the winning line-up as Sam Clarke's three-match ban, following a red card at Sutton Coldfield, rules him out on Saturday. Sheridan Driver is back from holiday and Neil Cogger available after work commitments ruled him out.

Gareth Heath, recovering from a minor operation, trained on Tuesday, and will be assessed again tonight. "We are not going to rush him back," said Smith.

He will decide the line-up tomorrow with assistant manager Chris Tracey. "We have loads of options, and that's the kind of headache I like rather than rushing round on Friday trying to make sure there are enough players."

AFC are at Woodbridge in the Suffolk Premier Cup on Wednesday (7.45pm), and Smith will give some of his squad players a runout then. "It's a competition we want to win, but I don't want to risk injuries to key players," said Smith.

The winners visit Kirkley and Pakefield or Mildenhall Town in the next round.

The manager is still looking to strengthen his squad, and may be prepared to let a couple of players go out on loan so they can get regular games.*

With a Trophy first qualifying round match at Brentwood Town on October 18, and the visit of league leaders Leamington to King's Marsh on October 25, AFC are facing a demanding schedule.

"The next few weeks will show us how far we have come," said Smith.

Week 23 winners in the AFC Gold fundraiser: £100 – A Paxton (240), Jubilee Road, Sudbury; £10 – Mrs K Collins (295), North Rise, Great Cornard; £10 – S Joyce, AFC Sudbury.

* On Thursday AFC manager Nicky Smith allowed young first team striker Danny Stokes to go out on a month's loan to Ridgeons premier Tiptree United.

Stokes has had a stop start beginning to the season and the former Long Melford player will be hoping to re-discover his goalscoring form.

And on Friday Jamie Ricks was released. The former Maldon and Halstead striker had been an ever-present, scoring one goal in his ten games.

Smith said: " He has done well for us, but with Kevin Hawes coming in and getting goals I have to look at my squad and make the changes I think necessary."