Hackney Wick 1–3 Harlow Town
Harlow Town scored two injury time goals to snatch a last gasp win and move three points clear of Hackney Wick at the top of the table.
Billed as the game that would decide the season, Hackney Wick began the day knowing that a win would send them above Harlow Town and put them on course for the First Division South title.
After an unsettled start from both teams, the Wickers took the lead just before half-time, top scorer Isa Sidibe heading home John Silva’s cross to register his 18th goal of the season.
But they failed to maintain this momentum, with Harlow’s Fred Agyemang equalising in the 56th minute after Hackney Wick failed to clear their lines.
Then, in a match that looked destined for a stalemate, Hackney striker Andre Anderson missed a glorious chance to win the game in the 90th minute, skewing his shot into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Harlow quickly countered, storming down the left to set up a cross for midfielder Denzel Effah to head in the winner.
A stunned Hackney failed to rally, and in the 95th minute conceded again, Agyemang exquisitely lobbing the keeper to make it 3-1.
This was the Wickers’ fourth defeat of the season. It leaves them in second-place, three points adrift of league leaders Harlow.
With more points and a superior goal difference, Harlow are now in pole position to take home the First Division South title and secure promotion.
Hackney will look to rebound on Saturday as they play eighth-place Hoddesdon Town at home.
Vadim Goss is the correspondent for Hackney Downs. He has previously written for Palatinate — Durham University's award-winning newspaper, where he served as an editor. He has also written for Indigo Magazine, Wayzgoose Magazine, and The Dove where he was editor-in-chief. If you need anyone for a pub quiz on The Great Gatsby, he is your man.