Hackney Wick FC dropped three points in a 1-0 home loss to the Wivenhoe Town Dragons’ on Wednesday.
It was a game which opened with an attack down the left side by Wick. Within three passes of kick-off, a cross was whipped into the box by Kareem Richardson and fired into the safe hands of the Wivenhoe Town goalkeeper.
The Dragons’ were quick to counter. After a penetrating run through the middle by striker, Aaron Donaldson, they were seemingly clear on goal but a heroic last ditch tackle by Wick’s midfield maestro, Noam Wolf, saved the keeper from a one on one. This back and forth within the first two minutes set the tone for a match.
Wick continued to attack down the left. A long ball into Wick’s striker, Joel Appiah, was held up despite pressure from the Dragons’ full backs. A lateral pass sent the ball to the left winger. He was over overlapped by speedy left back, Louis Hiobi, who delivered a pinpoint cross into Jeff Erhabor, in the box. The striker leaped over the Dragons’ defenders but on target header found itself in the keepers safe hands.
The Wick’s defence was as fierce as their attack. The Dragons’ attempts to attack down their right hand side was snuffed by the Wick’s high line and intense press.
Ten minutes before the break, the Dragons’ opened the scoring in a goal which left Wick’s supporters confused and shocked. After a misplaced pass by Wick’s goalkeeper, Wilkonston Boateng, the Dragons’ right back picked up the ball 30 yards from the goal. The high and slow lob went through the hands of the keeper.
At the second half, both teams emerged all guns blazing.
Two minutes after second half kick-off, Hackney Wick’s centre back held the Dragons’ striker in the box. The referee blew the whistle and pointed to the penalty spot. This was the Dragons’ chance to extend their lead and make Wick’s comeback all the more unlikely. As Wick’s players argued with the referee, Ross James, the Dragons’ penalty taker, waited at the line, holding the ball and trying to keep his cool. His penalty was powerfully aimed at the lower right corner and was deflected by the keeper. Wick was still in it.
As the legs of the Wick players tired, the Dragons’ consolidated their control of the game, displacing their dominance in the midfield battle and keeping the home team out of the last third.
Wick were able to muster up one notable attack throughout the second half. Build up play by Jeff Erhabor, occupied the two opposition centre backs until Joel Appiah ran onto a through ball which split the defence. One on one with the keeper, the shot hit the crossbar.
By the end of regulation time, it was clear that they were outclassed by the Dragons. They are currently 13 points off of second place Halsted United with four games in hand.
