from the FA web site

Whitehawk leave it late

Saturday, 28 August, 2010

Whitehawk force a replay in our 'Road to Wembley' FA Cup tie.
Hartley Wintney 2-2 Whitehawk
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Premliminary Round
3pm, Saturday 28 August 2010
Memorial Ground, Hartley Wintney FC

Paul Armstrong's dramatic 98th minute header secured Whitehawk a 2-2 at Hartley Wintney to force a replay on Monday evening (3pm kick-off) in The FA Cup Preliminary Round.

Armstrong levelled with virtually the last touch of the game in front of the FATV cameras to crush Hartley's dreams of a memorable victory.

Mario Nurse and Simeon Howell had put Hartley two up going into the break with wonderful strikes before Jerahl Hughes hit back two minutes after the re-start.

Hartley manager Neville Roach was proud of his Combined Counties League Division One side after they came so close to a magical FA Cup upset against a side two divisions above them.

"I'm devastated, especially for the lads. It feels like a defeat," Roach said.

"We competed so well against a team two tiers higher but if we go there and play the same way we've got every chance."

The FATV cameras were at the Memorial Ground for TheFA.com's second 'road to Wembley' game following Hartley's 2-0 win at Molesey on August 14.

Hartley were two up at half-time courtesy of two goals worthy of The FA Cup final, let alone the Preliminary Round. Nurse put the home side ahead, controlling in style with his chest and volleying first time into the top corner.

Howell stole his team-mate's thunder shortly before the break by smashing home from 30 yards after Hartley had matched their superior opposition all over the pitch.

But Whitehawk pulled one back just two minutes after the interval as Hughes cleverly tapped home after superb work from Jamie Brotherton. Pushing for an equaliser, the away side threw everyone, including the goalkeeper, into the penalty area and among the bodies, Armstrong glanced home eight minutes into stoppage time after a driven cross.

Whitehawk assistant manager Ross Standen believes the late goal was justice served after his side had 27 attempts during the afternoon.

"We bossed the game, especially in the second-half," he said. "They were fit, organised and up for it but to be fair they were two-up thanks to a couple of scorchers.

"You wouldn't think they were a division two side, they matched us and the replay on Monday will be another good game."