Hakeem the last-gasp hero as Doughboys fight back to secure opening night success
Wellingborough Town produced a remarkable fightback to secure a 3-2 win over Bourne Town in their opening league match of the season on Tuesday night.
The Doughboys looked to be on course for defeat in their first Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division match of the campaign, as they trailed 2-0 at half-time.
Jake Stone's side were still two goals adrift until the 65th minute when substitute Neo Richard-Noel headed home to reduce the arrears to 2-1.
The Doughboys squared things at 2-2 just 12 minutes later, with skipper Jack O'Connor netting.
The scores were still level as the match headed into time added on, but Borough secured all three points in the most dramatic fashion as Zayn Hakeem netted a last-gasp winner, four minutes into time added.
Earlier, Bourne had scored twice in the space of eight first-half minutes to seemingly take control, with Lewis Darlington and Zacorie Allen on target.
Tuesday’s win was the perfect follow up to Saturday's 4-0 FA Cup win at Newark Town, and the Doughboys are back on the road this weekend when they go to Basford United, who are now managed by former Corby Town boss Gary Setchell.
Setchell, who quit the Steelmen just before Christmas, took up the post at tghe Nottingham-based club this week, having stepped down from his role as director of football at Harborough Town.
“I’m delighted to be joining Basford," said Setchell. "Everything has moved pretty quickly. After meeting with Chris Munroe (Basford chairman) it became evident that his ambitions aligned with mine.
“It’s a big club with a great structure and a first team that was close to getting promoted last season.”