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Hackney hitting yet more heights

Simon Smedley
7/11/2007

FORMER Woodley Sports winger Simon Hackney saw his professional career scale new heights on Saturday as his League One promotion-chasing Carlisle United side thumped the once-mighty Leeds 3-1.

Brunton Park was packed to the rafters as a near 17,000 sell-out crowd watched Carlisle come from behind to beat a Leeds outfit who had been undefeated so far this season under Dennis Wise.

And it was Reddish lad Hackney who got Carlisle on their way to a memorable win thanks to his high quality equalising goal 16 minutes after half-time. Picking up a loose ball some 25 yards out, Hackney chested it down before volleying home to send the Cumbrian fans wild. Later goals from Joe Garner and ex-County midfielder Marc Bridge-Wilkinson topped off a dream afternoon.

Hackney told the Express: “It was a brilliant day for Carlisle. At half-time I thought maybe we could still get a draw, but once I scored that lifted the crowd and the players and Leeds couldn’t live with us after that.

“I’m buzzing. Saturday was probably my best day ever, it even topped the day I came on as a sub for Carlisle in the in the Football League Trophy final at the Millennium Stadium last year.

“Woodley Sports does seem like a lifetime ago, but I’ve always had great support from everyone back home in Stockport.

“Lots of family and friends were at Saturday’s game, and fans and officials from Woodley keep in touch.

“I’d like to thank them all for that. I feel truly blessed.”

Twenty-three-year-old Hackney, who is contracted to Carlisle until the summer of 2010 and is now a firm fans’ favourite at Brunton Park, has scored three goals in his last four games.

He is likely to play against County next Tuesday [Nov 13] in the Johnstone’s Paints Trophy third round tie.