On their debut in the competition, the city side took on Potton United from the UCL Division One. A side that recently had a great FA Cup run, knocking out two teams from a much higher level of football along the way. So it was a tall order for Jon Harrison's men, but they had nothing to lose and after a shaky first 20mins you would not of been able to tell which team was the UCL side and which one was the Peterborough Prem side.

It was a nervous start by the city side, a few players were maybe a little intimidated by the occasion mixed with the home side starting quick and playing some good football, you could see it was only a matter of time before the opening goal came, and it didn't take long as the unlucky Callum Madigan put the ball into his own net trying to clear a dangerous cross from the right hand side on 12 minutes.

Netherton regrouped and grew into the game, and after some good possession they should of been level. Zack Fisher being put through one on one with only the goalie to beat, but the normally reliable striker was unable to put the ball away.

Netherton were the team looking more likely to score leading into halftime, then on 39 mins the games major talking point occurred. The home keeper spilled a cross, then trying to atone for his own mistake he cleaned out a Netherton player. Herbie Panting then put the ball into the goal for the city side, just as the ball hit the net the referee blew his whistle and instead of awarding the goal he awarded a penalty. A good two or three minutes of protests went on before Zack Fisher was able to take the resulting penalty, which was well saved the the home stopper.

There was an incredible sense of injustice about what had just gone on, one that Netherton Manager Jon Harrison just couldn't take, and after remonstrating with the Referee and linesman was asked to leave the technical area. This incident galvanised the city side and Potton we're relieved to hear the half time whistle.

HT 1-0

Netherton came out for the second half and began to dominate the match, pressure was mounting on the home side and on 57 minutes Netherton got the goal there efforts deserved, Ash Jackson clinically finishing after some good work from James McDonough. Eric Makate, Zack Fisher and Herbie Panting all wasted half chances, and those missed chances looked like they were gonna prove costly when on 78 minutes Ben Daly received his second yellow card and was sent off, but the city side remained resolute till full time.

Netherton players were asked for another big effort to get through extra time, but in truth the city side controlled extra time an created the only chances, but the players were still very glad to hear the final whistle, but will fancy their chances in the replay.

Harrison said " I don't think I have ever been prouder of the boys, they stood up to everything they had to offer then dominated them, even when we were down to ten men we were the better side. I'm a bit disappointed as to what it could of been had the referee used any common sense whatsoever. He was playing on, then going back when there was no advantage all game. This incident then happened and he got all excited, changing how he refereed the game up until that moment."

He added "I shouldn't of reacted the way I did, I'm passionate about my team, and I felt our team had been wronged, and in such a big game too. I will learn from it. We have to get the job done on Wednesday now, I hope that everyone, that has something to do with the club comes out to support the lads Wednesday night."

Netherton United

Kier, Wood (Fountain), McDonough (Ellis), Madigan, Hansford, Graham, Daly, Jackson, Panting,
Fisher (Brown), Makate

MOM: MADIGAN