FA CUP MAGIC - A FAMOUS NIGHT FOR THE CITIZENS

The magic of the FA Cup was evident in Potters Bar on Wednesday evening as Welwyn Garden City (step 6 of the non-league pyramid) defeated Hadley (Step 5) in their Extra Preliminary Round replay. The Citizens were much the better side in the first half and it was centre-back Jack Dekanski who scored twice to make it 0-2 at half time. The ex Leyton Orient youth team and Cambridge City player more than made up for his slip which allowed Hadley's Dom Petrucci to score in the first game on Saturday. Welwyn could of gone in at the break three or four goals up as the hit the post, bar and had an effort cleared off the line. 

Hadley came back into the game scoring with a wonderful strike from outside the box by Dan Macateer but Adam Fisher's determined, hard working and organised side held on for a famous victory to the delight of the noisy band of travelling fans who had made the journey down the A1. Hadley were unlucky not to get back to 2-2 - Welwyn goalkeeper Joe Croft made two terrific saves to keep them down to just one goal and could they have had a penalty in the second half (see from 3m 58secs on the video highlights)  

Welwyn Garden City travel to Thurlow Nunn Division One side Saffron Walden Town in the next round on Saturday 30th August which should attract a good crowd to Catons Lane. 

Adam Fisher summed up the mood in the Welwyn camp by tweeting - '"Been in 45 mins and not even taken my shoes off or sat down yet!! Buzzing!! Football insomnia tonight I think!!"

Full match highlights are below