An incredible victory for The Wickers as they beat promotion hunters May and Baker 3-1 at home.

After only 1 point from their last 3 games and floating just above relegation, Hackney knew they needed a result. It seemed unlikely with a depleted squad missing captain Joao Rodrigues, Corey Rose, Lewis Smith, Yusuf Dahir, Kenneth Adunyah, Joshua Nwosu, and others.

However there were returns to the starting line up for Matty Farrelly and Gibson Bukele. New signing Asher Modeste also got his first start with the team implementing a diamond formation to combat the lack of pace on the flanks.

May and Baker started pretty decent with a few corners that targeted their captain but Hackney defended really well and had the best of the first half with both topscorer Alex Coster and Farrelly coming close.

This was perhaps the youngest backline Hackney had ever started, with Edwin Kwapong 17, Ben Lewis Gold 18, Piotr Maslowsi 18 and Daniel Ilonge 17.

The boys went in half time with their tails up knowing they played very well and knew they could get the win in the second half.

However May and Baker were still dangerous from set pieces and a game saving tackle at the back post from Coster denied the opposition caotain a simple tap in. It was a hearts in mouth moment.

Captain Said Ali had an incredible opportunity on the edge of the box but decided to cut onto his favoured left foot and his effort was blocked.

Free kick in a dangerous area. The boys flooded the opposition box. Gibson Bukele used this as a disguise to pass the ball to Sergi Chele who flicked out to Farrelly. His cross was spilled by the keeper into his own net which prompted wild celebrations from the Hackney bench. 1-0

It wasn’t long til the second goal came. A ball over the top from Ben Gold put Asher Modeste through and he struck from 20 yards out into the corner of the net. The keeper had no chance. 2-0. However that was his last action of the match as cramp had both him and Daniel Ilonge substituted immediately. The backline became even younger when 16 year old Uesli Bilaj stepped on to the field to replace Ilonge.

May and Baker were not done though. With 15 minutes left they pulled one back which expectedly came from a set piece. The captain winning the ball in the air at the back post and headed across the 6 yard box where his team mate bundled it in. 2-1

It was a nervy last 10 minutes. However things went Hackney’s way when a Baker player was sin binned for dissent and Hackney took full advantage when sub Jermaine Lachoo raced on to Coster’s through ball and calmly slotted past the keeper. 3-1

At the final whistle the boys went to celebrate with the fans who sung their hearts out throughout the match.

Next it’s another home match against improving Cannon’s Wood.