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Jockeys pipped at the finishing post
Chris Nunn's Newmarket side gave it their all, but were left heart-broken by an extra-time winner for Welwyn which denied the Jockeys a place in the last sixteen. The two sides had already battled it out to a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes of football the previous weekend, but, again, there was nothing to separate them in the replay.
Welwyn went in front on 18 minutes, but the visitors rallied and finished the half well, with Sam Reed firing wide and Jon Olive clipping the bar from a Jamie Alsop free-kick. There were few chances after the interval, but Newmarket finally found a way back into the game with eight minutes to go. Alsop whipped in a corner, and Darren Coe flicked on for Olive to bury the chance.
Sam Reed looked like he had won the tie for the Jockeys on 88 minutes, but his 25-yard drive came out off the post and the game went into extra time. Neither side could find a breakthrough in the first period, but Welwyn managed to get the winner a minute after the restart of the second half. In a cruel twist of fate, the shot hit the post, but unlike Reed's effort, Welwyn's went in. Newmarket manager Chris Nunn said: "Sam Reed hitting the woodwork was the turning point. I have no complaints because the lads were fantastic, We pushed them all the way, and on another day things might have been different".
Despite the result, it certainly was a superb match at Herns Lane. Over 330 spectators attended the game for which an excellent 44 page programme was issued for £1. The tea bar and kitchen were doing a roaring trade with a wide selection of snacks on the menu. The ground is bordered by trees on all sides to give it an enclosed feel. A small cover with bench seating is positioned near the half-way line on the nearside with a basic standing cover opposite. Unusually there are two large telecom masts are on site. The main facilities are close to the main entrance and consist of a bar, function room and changing block.
I travelled by car to the game and parked in one of the neighbouring streets. I approached using the A1(M) coming off at junction 5 leading to the A6129 Stanborough Road. Follow signs for Panshanger until you find the ground which is on the junction of Herns Way and Herns Lane, close to the local golf course.
FGIF Rating 4*. | 