THEY have done it!

Taunton Town FC are through to the first round proper of the FA Cup for only the second time in the club's history.

A 16th minute penalty cooly slotted away by Jordan Rodgers was enough to ensure that the brave and battling Peacocks made it through to the first round.

The club will now face a home tie against Barrow AFC in the first round, with a bumper crowd expected as FA Cup fever grips the town.

Dozens of hardy fans have made the 350-mile round trip to the Vauxhall Road stadium for the tie, with the winner facing a home tie against Barrow AFC.

Taunton made a solid start to the game, dominating the early exchanges, and went one nil up thanks to a Jordan Rodgers penalty just after the quarter hour mark.

Rodgers struck after Matt Buse was brought down.

Taunton had the better of the early exchanges, but Hemel Hempstead rocked the woodwork with a thunderous 25 yard effort from Saunders.

Hemel then soon came into the game and reasserted their authority, and had two chances cleared by the Taunton defence.

However, the Peacocks managed to hold on to their lead and went into the break 1-0 up.

The teams have now re-emerged for the second half, with Taunton determined to hold on to their precious lead and create a little bit of history.

Hemel threw the proverbial kitchen sink to at the Peacocks, and hit the bar again from a deflected free-kick.

But, Taunton replied with an attack of their own, when Rodgers should have made it 2-0. 

Hemel really cranked up the pressure as the game wore on, throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at the Peacoks.

Lloyd Irish made a string of top quality saves, and Hemel went close twice, with Taunton desperately defending for their lives.

They managed to hold on and make it through to the First Round proper of the cup, a truly extraordinary achievement for the side.

And remember those hardy fans we mentioned earlier? Here they are...

Full report to follow