Hackney Wick FC’s search for a first league win continued on Wednesday night as they fell to a 3–1 home defeat against a disciplined Barking FC side at the Simarco Stadium.

Manager Ernest made a bold statement before kick-off, leaving out three key players — Mohammed Sebaihi, Ben Lewis-Gold, and John Silva — for arriving late to training. It was a decision that underlined his commitment to discipline and standards but inevitably meant changes to the starting XI against strong opposition.

Barking started the brighter of the two sides, controlling possession and forcing Hackney onto the back foot. The breakthrough came in just the 7th minute, when the Wickers failed to clear their lines after sustained pressure. The loose ball fell to Fionn Murphy, who drilled a powerful strike from the edge of the box into the bottom corner — 0–1.

Despite Barking’s early dominance, Hackney worked their way back into the contest and found an equaliser against the run of play in the 29th minute. A well-delivered corner found Christian Munganga, who rose highest to power a header past the Barking keeper — 1–1.
That goal lifted the home side, and the remainder of the first half was more even, with Hackney showing more threat going forward.

Any momentum the Wickers had built before the break was quickly undone. Just two minutes into the second half, Barking regained the lead when James Folkes found space inside the box and slotted home to make it 1–2.
Hackney pushed to get back into the game, but in the 64th minute, the visitors extended their lead through Charlie Morris, taking advantage of another defensive lapse.

Barking managed the remainder of the match professionally, limiting Hackney’s opportunities and seeing the game out for all three points.
For Hackney, it was a frustrating evening — both in terms of performance and discipline — but also one that reinforces the standards manager Ernest is determined to set. The Wickers will look to bounce back in the next fixture with renewed focus and hopefully a full-strength squad.

⚽ Goals:
Hackney Wick FC: Munganga (29’)
Barking FC: Murphy (7’), Folkes (47’), Morris (64’)