FA CUP GLORY FOR HADLEY ON THEIR RETURN TO BRICKFIELD LANE

HADLEY WILL ONLY HAVE TO TRAVEL AROUND NINE MILES TO WEMBLEY STADIUM IF THEY GET TO THE SEMI-FINAL

Hadley made a little bit of history today after their 1-0 victory against fellow Spartan South Midlands League side London Colney put them through to the Second Qualifying Round on the The Emirates FA Cup for the first time since they entered the competition in 2010. It was also their first team's first game back home at Brickfield Lane in eight seasons. The ground has new floodlights, spectator stand, fencing, pathways, pitch drainage, a new car park and the complete refurbishment of the clubhouse and changing rooms. 

London Colney came to the game with a 100% winning record in five league games and two FA Cup games - New Manager Joe Sweeney has carried on the fantastic work previous boss Ryan Thompson did at Cotslandwick. 

The game was very tight in the first half with Hadley hitting the post and then taking the lead with a wonderfully crafted and taken goal by the impressive centre-forward Ivan Machado - his curling shot from the edge of the box after a neat one-two certainly wouldn't look out of place in a compilation of great 2016/17 FA Cup goals. 

The second half was played in driving rain with Hadley having the best chances but not being able to add to their lead - The visitors pushed for an equaliser late on by going with five players up front by unfortunately bow out of the competition leaving Hadley as the sole Spartan South Midlands League representative left in the Cup this season.

On Non-League day the London Colney twitter account showed some real class wishing Hadley good luck in the next round and stating that they were a 'good club with good people'.

 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS 

 

THE COVERED STAND OPPOSITE THE MAIN SEATED STAND

THE CLUB HAVE ROOM TO EXPAND AT BRICKFIELD LANE

THE COVERED STAND WAS WELL POPULATED IN THE SECOND HALF WITH MANY FANS TAKING COVER FROM THE RAIN - EVEN A FEW WEMBLEY SONGS WERE SUNG

THE ONLY CLUB LEFT REPRESENTING THE SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE IN THE CUP FOR 2016/17