Victory Akam’s 21st goal of the season gave Hackney Wick their 7th straight win, in a tight game against bottom side St Margaretsbury.
The visitors had the first chance of the match as Wickers’ keeper Bartz Klimkiewicz tipped a header over the bar.
Bartz was called into action again soon after, this time he saved a fierce shot.
Hackney Wick's first chance of the game fell to top scorer Victory, but he fired wide.
Just 7 minutes later, though, Victory had his customary goal as he headed in from Adam Cheniti's brilliant right-wing cross!
The visitors were struggling to deal with set-pieces, and from a free-kick Ben Lewis-Gold shot straight at the keeper.
Just before the break, the Wickers almost doubled their lead, but Sergi Oyo Chele's audacious attempt dipped narrowly over the bar.
HT: HACKNEY WICK 1-0 ST MARGARETSBURY
St Margaretsbury made a strong start to the second half, and struck the post 8 minutes after the break.
And on the hour mark, they were gifted a golden chance to equalise as they were awarded a penalty after a good run into the box was stopped by a foul. The penalty was well-struck, but clipped the post and went out for a goal kick, meaning the Wickers maintained their slim lead.
Down the other end, Victory was causing problems again as his cross was almost deflected in for an own goal, but was then cleared off the line!
2 chances in 2 minutes then followed for Hackney Wick, first Sergi was denied by the keeper, before Clifford Newby-Harris was thwarted by St Margaretsbury's number 1 as well.
The visitors were still offering the occasional threat, Bartz called into action again to save a low header on the line.
A few minutes later, the Wickers' keeper got down low to hold a shot from range.
It was a tense final 20 minutes, but Hackney Wick held on for a huge 3 points and their 7th straight win!
FT: HACKNEY WICK 1-0 ST MARGARETSBURY
The result means we are now 7th in the table, now just 4 points off the playoff places! St Margaretsbury remain rooted to the bottom of the table, now 9 points from safety.
NEXT MATCH:
It's derby day on Saturday (16th March), as we visit Clapton CFC! Kickoff is 15:00 at the Old Spotted Dog Ground, and we look forward to seeing many Wickers fans there!
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER:
Hackney Wick 0-3 Clapton CFC (14/10/2023)