Herts Senior Cup: Hitchin Town 3-2 Potters Bar Town

Mark Burke's Hitchin Town held off a late rally from the Scholars to win through to the quarter-finals of the Herts Senior Cup on Saturday afternoon

In front of 339 fans at Top Field - an impressive number that underlines just how much Hitchin backs its football club - the Canaries raced into a three goal lead.

However, late goals from Miles Mitchell-Nelson and Dejon Noel-Williams set up a grandstand finish that the home side ultimately repelled.

Following a goalless first half, the deadlock was broken by an outstanding long range strike. It came from Diogo Freitas-Gouveia's wand of a right foot that made the ball dip and swerve past Potters Bar keeper Ted Collins two minutes after the interval, to make it 1-0 to Burkey's boys.

Such was the quality of the corker from outside the area by Hitchin's No7, many seasoned observers have already awarded their goal of the season to the 21-year-old former Colchester academy midfielder.

Two minutes later Hitchin doubled the lead when Steve Cawley calmly slotted home from the spot to make it 2-0.

Worse was to come for Sammy Moore's visitors when Ashley Hay made it 3-0 on 63 minutes. The Canaries third coming when their No9 followed up Jack Snelus' initial effort.

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Just when the match seemed dead and buried for Potters Bar, the Lantern Stadium outfit staged a comeback of sorts when Mitchell-Nelson netted on 79 minutes to reduce the deficit to 3-1. Sixty seconds later Noel-Williams headed past Hitchin keeper and captain Charlie Horlock.

As the clock ticked down and the visitors poured forward a late free-kick even saw keeper Collins venture deep into Canaries territory. Yet it was to no avail, as Burke's brave boys sealed a deserved victory.

Hitchin will now face either Hadley FC or near neighbours and League Two promotion chasers, Stevenage at Top Field.

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