Hackney Wick owner Bobby Kasanga is confident his side can put up a solid fight as they bid to remain in the Essex Senior League.

The Wickers will welcome West Essex to the Old Spotted Dog on Saturday (3pm) as they look to make it back-to-back wins after beating local rivals Clapton 2-0 on Tuesday evening.

Kasanga is keen to build on their big derby victory and keep fighting – despite being bottom of the table and seven points adrift on their nearest rivals Wadham Lodge.

“We want to take motivation from the Clapton game and do it again on Saturday,” he said.

“I’m really confident after that performance, Wadham Lodge has a game in hand on us, but the other teams above them have played three or four more than us.

“If we can take advantage of our games in hand we will be right back in the mix.

“One thing I know is we will make a good fight of it.”

Wick have been boosted by the return of manager Chris Davis who once again takes the reins.

The experienced manager parted company with the Old Spotted Dog outfit by mutual consent on August 13 after just four games in charge.

Davis spent over three years in charge of London Bari before they merged with Wick and found his time cut short.

In his first game back in charge they sealed a 2-0 victory against high-flyers Clapton and owner Kasanga praised the performance.

“It was an amazing performance,” he said.

“We hadn’t played a match for seven weeks so we’ve been trying hard to keep the players focused and fit in that time and just to play a game was good.

“Joel Appiah broke his ankle at the beginning of the season so to have him back and for him to score was great for us.

“With Chris he had been in touch and constantly checking how we were getting on.

“We had a few issues at the beginning of the season but that has all been resolved now and Chris was happy to help us out and we thought ‘why not have him back?’”

The club has brought in goalkeeper Tom Dixon and managed to bring back striker Hassan Nalbant.

“He looks super hot, we have been missing a solid goalkeeper who talks, comes off his line and can kick as well,” said Kasanga.

“It gives the whole back four confidence to have a keeper like that.”