The goalkeeper saved a penalty in normal time to keep the scores level before repeating his heroics in a shoot-out, this time ensuring Ardley’s passage to Saturday’s away tie at Slough Town.
The FA Cup
Preliminary Round replays
Tuesday 9 September 2014
Winning clubs receive £1,925
This Preliminary Round replay proved to be as close as the first match last week, which finished 1-1, with both sides showing that they could play good football but neither possessing the finishing touch in front of goal.
The visitors had the better of the first 45 minutes but were unable to capitalise on the pressure they exerted on the home defence, with Joe Eyre in particular making a nuisance of himself, but he could not convert any of the chances that fell his way.
Then, in the second-half, Harding’s moment arrived as he was called upon to keep his side in the game when his defence conceded a penalty but he managed to guess correctly to keep out Ryan Stephen's spot-kick.
The game moved into extra time and, although the home team were enjoying the better possession, they still lacked the quality in the box to finish things off.
And so to penalties, which were even until Harding had the last word by saving Hartley’s fifth attempt to put his side through to the next round.
