After four consecutive games on the artificial surfaces of Parsloes Park and Mayesbrook Park, Boro are back on grass tomorrow with a trip to Witham Town’s ground to play Hackney Wick.

Boro’s last two games have ended in draws, but while there was justifiable satisfaction at the point earned when coming from behind at Parsloes Park against SOUL Tower Hamlets last Saturday, the similar result against Sporting Bengal United at Mayesbrook Park on Tuesday left a sense that this was two points dropped as much as a point won.

Hackney Wick have undergone big changes in recent weeks after parting company with Head Coach Ernest Eghan - who had led them to promotion last season - in early February and having to find a whole new squad after a mass exodus of players. Since Eghan’s departure they have lost both games they have played, 2-0 at home to Ilford and 8-2 at Saffron Walden Town last Saturday.

Brief History of Hackney Wick FC:

Hackney Wick FC were formed in 1995 as Bari FC and played in the South Essex Football League until 1998, subsequently playing in the Asian League and the Essex Corinthian Sunday Football League.

Having changed their name to London Bari FC, the club joined the Essex Senior League in 2013 and in their first season finished a respectable tenth. The following season they finished bottom of the table and in their four seasons in the league, their best finish was eighth in 2016.

In 2017, London Bari merged with Hackney Wick, then a Middlesex County League side and took Bari’s place in the ESL. They finished bottom in 2017-18 and were relegated to the Thurlow Nunn League Division One South but after seven seasons at Step 6, won promotion at the end of last season when, having finished as runners-up to Harlow Town, they beat Hutton and Rayleigh Town to clinch promotion through the Play-Offs. They also picked up silverware in the form of the League Cup in which they beat Harlow Town in the Final.

Previous Meetings:

The league game at Mayesbrook Park back in October was the first ever meeting between the teams and went the way of the visitors, 4-3. Hackney were ahead early on but Boro equalised through Charlie Hare only for the visitors to establish a 4-1 lead by the 56th minute. Goals from Christian Adu Gyamfi and Ramzi Mahmoudi reduced the deficit, but Boro could not find an equaliser.

Recent Form:

Hackney Wick are currently 12th in the Essex Senior League table with 35 points from 27 games having lost four of their last six, against Great Wakering Rovers, White Ensign, Ilford, and Saffron Walden Town, but they have beaten Athletic Newham and West Essex during that run of matches.

The Wickers’ early season results earned them enough points that the possibility of relegation is a remote one and at one point they were as high as seventh after a 2-1 win over Buckhurst Hill in October. In home league games this season they have won 6 and lost 9. Top scorer for Hackney Wick is Issa Sidibe with 16 goals, although the striker left the club in December to join Tilbury, while second leading scorer Adam Cheniti (who has 11) also appears to have departed.

Home Ground and How To Get There:

Hackney Wick share at Witham Town’s ground which is The Simarco Stadium, Spa Road, Witham, CM8 1UN

There can’t be many fans who haven’t been to Witham at least once over the years, so the path to Spa Road should be pretty well known, but it hasn’t been since the 2021-22 season that Boro have played there, so a refresher is probably useful.

By road, take the A12, leaving at junction 21, joining the B1389 Hatfield Road signposted Witham. Cross the first roundabout and stay on the B1389 before turning left into Spinks Lane, then turn right into Highfields Road. The entrance to the ground is on the left, opposite the Asda supermarket.

By train the ground is a 20 minute walk from Witham Station. Some trains run directly from Romford to Witham, but otherwise it’s a case of changing at Shenfield.

This weekend’s Essex Senior League fixtures:

Friday 27th February:
7.45pm Sporting Bengal United v Frenford At Barking FC

Saturday 28th February:
4pm Barking v Athletic Newham
2pm Basildon United v Woodford Town
2pm Benfleet v Great Wakering Rovers
3pm Buckhurst Hill v Saffron Walden Town
3pm Hackney Wick v Romford
3pm Halstead Town v West Essex
3pm Ilford v Soul Tower Hamlets
3pm Little Oakley v Hullbridge Sports
2pm White Ensign v Harwich & Parkeston