MATCH REPORT BY JUSTIN ELLIS

Hackney Wick 0-1 Basildon Town

The Preliminary Round of the FA Vase saw Essex Senior League side Hackney Wick take on Thurlow Nunn League Division One outfit Basildon Town, with both sides hoping to book their place in the next round.

The previous meeting between the two sides had produced a thrilling 5-4 victory for Hackney Wick, so another entertaining encounter looked to be on the cards.

The opening 45 minutes, however, proved to be a scrappy affair, with Hackney Wick creating the better of the chances despite Basildon enjoying plenty of possession and territory in and around the Wick half.

Basildon threatened early on, with a number of attacks putting Hackney Wick under pressure. Their closest opportunity came from a corner, although the Wick defence managed to clear the danger.

Hackney Wick gradually began to create openings of their own. Erti Sylejmani came closest to breaking the deadlock when he danced past Basildon defender Jack Hurley inside the box, only to see his effort go straight at goalkeeper Dino Maras.

Durnall Taylor was presented with another excellent opportunity when he found himself one-on-one with Maras, but once again the Basildon goalkeeper stood firm to deny Hackney Wick.

The Wickers went close again just before the break. Joshua Opke teed up Sylejmani, but his resulting effort was lifted over the crossbar.

With Hackney Wick having failed to make their chances count, there was a feeling that they could potentially come to rue those missed opportunities.

Half Time: Hackney Wick 0-0 Basildon Town

The second half continued in much the same scrappy fashion, with clear-cut opportunities at a premium. Hackney Wick struggled to find a way through Basildon’s well-organised offside trap, frustrating their attempts to create further openings.

Basildon had their appeals for a penalty midway through the 2nd half but their claims were waved away by the referee.

The visitors then came close to taking the lead when an overhead kick from the left-hand side of the box flew marginally wide.

As the match entered its closing stages, penalties looked increasingly likely. But with just three minutes of normal time remaining, Basildon found the breakthrough.

A cross into the Hackney Wick penalty area caused confusion in the defence, and Raphael Ogunleye unfortunately turned the ball into his own net to give Basildon Town a 1-0 lead.

Hackney Wick were unable to find a response in the remaining minutes, with Basildon successfully seeing out the game to secure their place in the next round.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Hackney Wick, who will feel they had opportunities to put the game beyond Basildon’s reach earlier in the contest.

Full Time: Hackney Wick 0-1 Basildon Town

Congratulations to Basildon Town on reaching the next round, and all the best in the competition.