⏪ CLASSIC MATCH REPORT | FA Cup First Round vs Bury FC - 8/11/2014

Written by Dean Scarman

8 November 2014

The FA Cup – First Round Proper

Gigg Lane, Bury

Bury 3 - 1 Hemel Hempstead Town

Goals: Andrew Tutte 16’, Nathan Cameron 88’, Daniel Nardiello 90+4’ / James Potton 10’

After 76 years, a name change, and a venue change, it was finally time for Hemel Hempstead Town to embark on the FA Cup proper once again. Apsley’s FA Cup run in 1938 was ended by Bromley, and Dean Brennan’s Tudors were hoping to not have that repeated. However, the challenge couldn’t have been much bigger.

The Tudors were drawn against Bury, who went into the game unbeaten at home since the opening game of the season. It was a daunting task, but one that Brennan and the Tudors were more than ready for.

The game started quickly, and in true Brennan style, Hemel took the game to their opponents despite being 61 places below them in the football pyramid. It wasn’t long before the Conference South side were upsetting the odds.

A well worked corner from the left hand side involving Jordan Parkes and Danny Talbot ended up at the feet of James Potton. His deflected shot squeezed past Rob Lainton to give the Tudors the most unlikely of leads.

However, it took 6 minutes for the League One side to level proceedings, a sweetly struck shot by Andrew Tutte going past Laurie Walker to equalise for the Shakers.

From then on, the inevitable onslaught was on. Bury peppered the Hemel goal, but couldn’t find their way past Walker. Hemel’s only other chance falling to Potton, forcing a good save out of Lainton.

Half Time – Bury 1 – 1 Hemel Hempstead Town

The second half was a half of very few clear-cut chances – Hemel couldn’t get out of their half for the most of it, but were defending bravely – Bury’s two best chances coming coming from a close range header powered over by Nathan Cameron, and Laurie Walker producing an outstanding save to deny Tutte a second.

However, on 88 minutes, all the hard work was undone. Chris Hussey was left on the left to cross in a ball which eventually fell to Cameron. He spun on the half volley and planted the ball home to give Bury the lead. It felt harsh on the Tudors, who thought they had done enough to take the tie back to Hertfordshire.

And 6 minutes later, any chance of a Hemel comeback was well and truly ended when the defence went to sleep, allowing Nicky Adams to get in behind. He crossed the ball for a waiting Daniel Nardiello, who put the game to bed and Bury into the second round.

It was a shame about the result, Hemel feeling like they did enough, but inevitably, the outcome was the right one. Dean Brennan’s side come away from Greater Manchester disappointed, but proud of the achievement they had made.