Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round, Sunday 17th August
My second FA Cup action of the weekend came from familiar surrounding of Witham Town's Spa Road ground (sorry but I will not call it anything else!!!) for a matchup between Essex Senior League Hackney Wick & Isthmian South Central Bognor Regis Town, so Step Five versus Step Four in the non league pyramid.
These sides were actually three steps apart last season, Wick won promotion from the Thurlow Nunn South via the playoffs at the end of last season to take their place in the ESL, whereas Bognor were relegated from the Isthmian Premier, meaning they were now in the South Central division and having a rebuild after most of last season's side disappeared following relegation.
So, how have the sides fared so far this season in there new divisions? Wick are still finding their feet but have picked up four points in their last two outings, that after opening up with two losses, and they did win in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round to reach this stage after defeating Bearsted in Kent 2-1, their last league outing was certainly interesting, coming back from 3-0 down at Sporting Bengal United to draw 3-3 in a bonkers game.
Bognor only began their league campaign last weekend and had an even more bonkers contest too, they were 4-1 down at AFC Portchester with thirty five minutes remaining before mounting a remarkable comeback to win 5-4!!! Madness, although they did lose last time out at Littlehampton 2-0, so a mixed start shall we say, but Bognor despite all their changes over the summer were expected to see off Step Five opposition in this game.
Wick though had nothing to lose in this one, so were always going to give it a good go, they haven't been the best first half team this season but they started this one very well indeed and after twenty minutes had their noses in front when a ball squared across goal was finished off by Leo Lopate and Wick had a shock lead at Spa Road, how would Bognor react?
Well, in the 34th minute they managed to find a leveller, a ball in from the right saw Callum Laycock send a flick at goal towards the near post which keeper Teddy Baena made a mess of and allowed the ball to squeeze over the line, it had been the visitors first attempt on target, they hadn't been at their best for sure, but they were on level terms despite this.
Wick's pace and power up front was causing the visitors issues, but despite Wick having the better of the first period, the score remained 1-1 as they headed into the break, it had been a good half from the hosts, could they possibly kick on and cause a upset or would Bognor regroup and stamp their authority on this tie?
Well, with their managers voice ringing in their ears (I can vouch for this as could hear him shouting at his players during half time break when I wondered past changing room window which was open) the visitors came out with much more vigour in the second period, at least for the early part of it, and they missed a golden chance to take the lead when Lennie Smith somehow headed wide from point black range at the back post, it was a head in hands moment and I believe a pivotal moment in the contest.
This is because had that gone in, I believe Bognor may have taken control and gone further ahead perhaps, instead Wick, who had been on the back foot for the opening few minutes of the second period, retook the lead against the run of play eight minutes into the half when after a brilliant run down the right by Lopate saw him knock the ball past the full back and basically run past him like he wasn't there, he crossed for Issa Sidibe to flick home at the near post and give the Step Five side the lead once again.
Could Bognor respond again, well they had chances for sure, and were way more threatening this half than they had been first half, but they just could not find the target, much to the frustration of the visitors, and Wick to their credit dug deep to thwart as much as Bognor could throw at them, even when the hosts appeared to look like they were tiring somewhat.
However, just like all afternoon Wick's attackers were a danger to their opponents, and they had chances to make it 3-1 as well and seal the tie, they even saw one chalked off for offside but they were not to be denied a third which finally killed off Bognor, it came in the 86th minute and saw Sidibe blast home from close range and cue mass celebrations with all teammates and bench over in the far corner, job almost done.
Their was to be quite a lot of stoppage time due to a few breaks in play although the thirteen minutes that were added was a mystery to many of us, however, Bognor never really threatened a comeback in the time remaining and Wick duly completed what was a superb result against Step Four opposition and make it through to the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the very first time in their history, a brilliant achievement for sure.
For Bognor their run ends at the first hurdle, and judging by the noises coming from their dressing room after that result, all was not well in there, mainly the manager screaming and shouting at his players who will now have to pick themselves up and go again in the next game and try and get back to winning ways, I wish them all the luck in doing that.
Full time Hackney Wick 3 Bognor Regis Town 1
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