Hackney Wick FC produced another stirring late fightback to earn a point on the road, coming from 3–0 down to draw 3–3 with Sporting Bengal United at the Mile End Stadium.
Manager Ernest opted to rest several key players ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup clash with Bognor Regis Town, with Leo Pola, Max Grappy, and Adam Cheneti all starting on the bench.
The Wickers got off to the worst possible start, conceding inside three minutes when Sporting’s number 7, Noah Adejokun, rifled a shot into the net from inside the box.
Adejokun doubled the lead soon after in freakish fashion, his looping cross from wide on the right drifting over debutant goalkeeper Teddy Gerveaux and dropping in at the far post — 2–0.
Just before half-time, Hackney’s defensive woes continued, as Adejokun capitalised on a lapse at the back to complete his hat-trick and give the hosts a commanding 3–0 lead at the break.
At the interval, Ernest turned to his bench, introducing Pola, Grappy, and Cheneti in an effort to salvage something from the game. The changes had an immediate impact.
In the 53rd minute, Issa Sidibe raced onto a clever through ball from Pola, saw his first effort saved, but made no mistake with the rebound to pull one back — 3–1.
Momentum was building. Ten minutes later, Ben Lewis-Gold muscled an opponent off the ball and delivered a pinpoint cross into Pola’s path. Pola’s smart pass found Sidibe, who calmly slotted home his second of the night — 3–2 and game on.
Pola almost completed the turnaround with five minutes to play but blazed his effort over from close range.
Then, deep into stoppage time, the Wickers were awarded a penalty after a handball in the box. With the pressure on, Sidibe stepped up and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way to secure his hat-trick and a remarkable point for Hackney — 3–3.
Full-Time: Sporting Bengal United 3–3 Hackney Wick FC
From 3–0 down at half-time to 3–3 at the final whistle, this was another display of Hackney’s resilience and refusal to accept defeat — echoing the spirit shown in the dramatic late win at Hullbridge just days earlier.
The result gives the Wickers plenty of momentum heading into Saturday’s FA Cup Preliminary Round tie against Bognor Regis Town at the Simarco Stadium.
⚽ Goals:
Hackney Wick FC: Sidibe (53’, 63’, 90+5’ PEN)
Sporting Bengal United: Adejokun (3’, 21’, 45’)