MATCH REPORT BY JUSTIN ELLIS

Tuesday night saw Hackney Wick make the trip to Rosemary Lane to face Halstead Town in their second league game of the season, with the Wickers looking to put in a strong performance against a side that has enjoyed the better of recent meetings between the two clubs.

Under the lights, Hackney Wick produced an entertaining and committed display, but ultimately suffered a cruel late defeat as Halstead came from behind to win 4–3.

The opening stages were an end-to-end affair, with both sides looking dangerous and threatening to break the deadlock.

It was Halstead who struck first when James Eveleigh fired a low shot into the bottom corner following a long throw that the Wickers failed to clear.

Hackney Wick responded strongly and should have been level when Joshua Opke found himself just two yards from goal with the goal at his mercy. Somehow, his effort came back off the bar when it appeared easier to score.

The Wickers continued to press and eventually got their reward in the 35th minute. Erti Slyjmani picked up the ball outside the box before curling a low effort beyond the Halstead goalkeeper Jack Cherry to bring Hackney Wick level.

The momentum was now firmly with the visitors, and they deservedly completed the turnaround before half-time. Slyjmani was in the right place at the right time to follow up after Halstead goalkeeper Cherry had made an initial save, tapping home the rebound to give the Wickers a 2–1 lead.

After a thoroughly open and entertaining first half, Hackney Wick went into the break ahead.

Half-time: Halstead Town 1–2 Hackney Wick

The second half continued in much the same fashion, with both teams creating opportunities and looking dangerous going forward.

Hackney Wick extended their advantage when Slyjmani completed his hat-trick, smartly converting from a long throw to put the Wickers 3–1 ahead and cap an excellent individual performance.

Halstead responded by increasing the tempo and putting the visitors under greater pressure, although Hackney Wick continued to pose a threat on the counter-attack.

The home side eventually reduced the deficit from the penalty spot, with Kane Gilbert converting despite Wick goalkeeper Michael Doyle going the right way.

At 3–2, the game remained finely balanced, with both teams continuing to look capable of finding the net.

Hackney Wick thought they had restored their two-goal advantage when Joshua Opke converted, but the goal was ruled out by the linesman for handball in the build-up.

That decision proved significant as Halstead continued to push forward.

The pressure finally told in the 86th minute when Abiola Sanusi converted following a scramble in the box after a Halstead corner, bringing the scores level at 3–3.

With the momentum now firmly behind the home side, Halstead completed a dramatic turnaround just two minutes later. From a Hackney Wick corner, the hosts broke quickly on the counter-attack, with Correy Davidson finishing low to put Halstead 4–3 ahead.

Despite the late setback, the Wickers had given everything and can take plenty of positives from a performance in which they pushed a strong Halstead side all the way.

It was a tough defeat to take after leading 3–1, but there was plenty to be proud of in Hackney Wick’s performance on the night.

Full-time: Halstead Town 4–3 Hackney Wick

Goals:
Halstead Town – James Eveleigh, Micky Doyle (pen), Abiola Sanusi, Correy Davidson
Hackney Wick – Erti Slyjmani (3)