After six long years away from the world’s most iconic domestic cup competition, Hackney Wick FC made a triumphant return to the Emirates FA Cup with a well-earned 2–1 away win over Bearsted FC, setting up a spot in the Preliminary Round and equalling the club’s best-ever run in the competition.

Fielding a youthful and energetic side — including three teenagers — the Wickers showed both resilience and attacking flair to overturn a first-half deficit and seal a comeback victory on the road.

Slow Start, Strong Response

It was a cagey opening from Hackney, who took time to settle against a well-drilled Bearsted side playing in front of a vocal home crowd. The hosts controlled much of the early possession and came close on the 19th minute, rattling the post after a slick move down the left.
They didn’t have to wait long for their breakthrough. In the 25th minute, Bearsted deservedly took the lead, capitalising on a defensive lapse to slot home and make it 1–0.

But the goal woke Hackney up. As the first half progressed, the visitors grew into the game, and opportunities began to open up. Leo Pola and Issa Sidibe both went close in the final 10 minutes of the half — chances that might have changed the momentum earlier had they gone in.

Second Half: Complete Turnaround
Whatever was said at half-time clearly had an impact. Hackney came out with intent, pressing higher and using pace to hurt Bearsted on the counter. The breakthrough came just 11 minutes into the second half, when Mohammed Sebaihi delivered a pinpoint cross from the left and Leo Pola calmly slotted in at the back post to level the tie.

The turnaround was completed almost instantly. Just two minutes later, a scramble in the box saw the ball fall to Adam Cheneti, who kept his composure to fire low into the net — 2–1 to Hackney and wild celebrations from the away bench.

From there, it was about game management. Hackney defended bravely, controlled the tempo, and saw out the match with maturity well beyond their years — especially from the younger players.

The result means Hackney Wick FC reach the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup for only the second time in the club’s history — the last time coming in the 2018/19 season, when we also began our journey away at Bearsted.
It’s a fitting moment of symmetry and a sign of just how far the club has come in recent years.

Full-Time: Bearsted FC 1–2 Hackney Wick FC
A proud day for Hackney