Hassan Nalbant netted a hat-trick as Hackney Wick warmed up for their huge FA Cup tie at the weekend in style by thrashing Newbury Forest at The Old Spotted Dog to go third in the Thurlow Nunn South Division One.

It had looked good for the visitors when they went in front when Forest’s Sean Crossley converted at the back post, but Nalbant then levelled meaning the teams went in level at the break.

And then Nalbant grabbed his second to put the hosts ahead when firing into the roof of the net, before he grabbed his hat-trick from the spot after a trip inside the penalty area.

Nalbant then turned assistant to set up Joel Appiah who sent a lovely finish into the net from outside the box and complete a good few days for the home side.

The Wickers will now travel to Faversham in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup as they look to progress into the first qualifying round and bag £2,890 in prize money.