MATCH REPOTY BY JUDTIN ELLUS

Hackney Wick’s first-ever Essex Senior Cup campaign ended in a narrow defeat on Wednesday evening as Great Wakering Rovers edged a five-goal thriller 3–2 at Spa Road, Witham.

With the Wick giving opportunities to members of their youth and wider squad, they faced a stern test against a Great Wakering side that reached the Essex Senior Cup final last season and narrowly missed out on promotion after losing in the playoffs in the Essex Senior League.

The visitors made the perfect start, taking the lead after just five minutes. Shaun Gittleson stepped up to fire a powerful free kick from the edge of the box that debutant Wick goalkeeper Ali Karaduman was unable to keep out.

It soon got worse for Hackney Wick. After 10 minutes, Reece Placid found the bottom corner with a low strike to double Great Wakering’s advantage and leave the Wickers facing a long evening.

However, Wick responded superbly. After weathering further pressure from the visitors, they began to raise the intensity and were rewarded in the 34th minute when Erti Sylejmani continued his recent good form with a low, driven effort into the bottom-right corner.

Just three minutes later, the comeback was complete. Joshua Opka was brought down inside the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. Opka saw his penalty saved by Great Wakering goalkeeper George Marsh, but he reacted quickest to the rebound and smashed home to make it 2–2.

The sides went into the interval level, setting up an intriguing second half.

The pattern continued after the break, with chances at both ends, although Great Wakering enjoyed the greater share of possession and continued to press for a winner.

Wick came close to taking the lead when Sylejmani delivered a dangerous free kick into the box. Ruben Carvalho met the cross with a header that looked destined for the net, but Marsh produced an excellent save to keep the scores level.

Great Wakering eventually found the decisive breakthrough in the 71st minute. A long free kick was headed down into the danger area, allowing Jack Mitchell to react quickest and convert from close range, just two yards out, to restore the visitors’ lead.

The Wickers continued to push for another equaliser and showed plenty of determination, but they could not find a way through the Rovers defence.

Despite the defeat, there were plenty of positives for Hackney Wick on a night when several younger and wider-squad players were given valuable experience against strong opposition.

Full time: Hackney Wick 2–3 Great Wakering Rovers

Attendance: 47

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