Sporting Hackney overcome South Kilburn to extend unbeaten start

Sporting Hackney maintained their unbeaten start to the Middlesex County League season with a deserved 1-0 win over South Kilburn on a muggy afternoon at the Marshes.

A second-half strike from Yusuf Olajide was enough to secure victory for the home side, who now have seven points from their opening three games under returning manager Pete Harrington.

The visitors began the game brightly, putting in some strong challenges and testing captain Liam O’Hara’s defence with some searching long balls, but the Parrots soon settled into the game, absorbing pressure and looking dangerous in wide areas.

Olajide – who battled tirelessly throughout the game – had the best chance of the first half, working himself into a good position in the box, only to see his effort drift wide.

The introductions of John Green and Chris Monaghan after the break added sharpness to Hackney’s attacking play and their hard work was eventually rewarded midway through the second half.

It was substitute Green who created the winner, slipping the ball into the path of Olajide, who dispatched a shot low into the bottom left corner for his first goal of the season.

Ruben Alves proved to be a danger down the left-hand side and should have increased the Sporting advantage when he drove towards the by-line but fired over from a tight angle.

South Kilburn introduced more attackers to the fold as they sought an equaliser late in the game but Parrots keeper Nick Leo snuffed out their best opportunity.

Hackney now face Deportivo Galicia at home in the league on Saturday as they seek to build on their impressive start to the season.