Match Report: Sporting Hackney 1-0 CB Hounslow United Reserves
Sporting Hackney returned to winning ways at the Marshes on Saturday with a vital 1-0 win over CB Hounslow United Reserves but must improve if they are to challenge for the Middlesex County Premier League title, manager Pete Harrington said.
Coming off the back of their league defeat to Cricklewood Wanderers a fortnight ago – their second of the season – Hackney desperately needed a victory against struggling Hounslow in order to get their season back on track, and did so courtesy of first-half Chris McNicholas header.
But the Parrots’ performance as the league schedule resumed was disappointing and showed a lack of belief, according to Harrington.
“I’m happy to get the three points and keep a clean sheet. However, we have so much work to do if we are to challenge for any honours this season,” Harrington said.
Hackney began their sixth match of the season having suffered consecutive league defeats but were considered favourites to beat a Hounslow side which had lost four of its five opening games.
Despite creating the better chances in the first half, Hackney failed to turn them to their advantage and only managed to break the deadlock shortly before the interval when defender McNicholas powered in his third header of the season from a swirling corner by returning skipper Harry Murphy.
However, Hackney failed to build on their advantage in the second half as further missed opportunities and only a lunging goal-line clearance from the returning Murphy preserved the first half scoreline as the match headed towards an edgy conclusion.
The victory means the Parrots stay in touch with the upper reaches of the division at this early stage of the season but will face a much stiffer test when fifth-placed British Airways visit the Marshes next Saturday.
Coming off the back of their league defeat to Cricklewood Wanderers a fortnight ago – their second of the season – Hackney desperately needed a victory against struggling Hounslow in order to get their season back on track, and did so courtesy of first-half Chris McNicholas header.
But the Parrots’ performance as the league schedule resumed was disappointing and showed a lack of belief, according to Harrington.
“I’m happy to get the three points and keep a clean sheet. However, we have so much work to do if we are to challenge for any honours this season,” Harrington said.
Hackney began their sixth match of the season having suffered consecutive league defeats but were considered favourites to beat a Hounslow side which had lost four of its five opening games.
Despite creating the better chances in the first half, Hackney failed to turn them to their advantage and only managed to break the deadlock shortly before the interval when defender McNicholas powered in his third header of the season from a swirling corner by returning skipper Harry Murphy.
However, Hackney failed to build on their advantage in the second half as further missed opportunities and only a lunging goal-line clearance from the returning Murphy preserved the first half scoreline as the match headed towards an edgy conclusion.
The victory means the Parrots stay in touch with the upper reaches of the division at this early stage of the season but will face a much stiffer test when fifth-placed British Airways visit the Marshes next Saturday.
