Tamworth pay the penalty.

It may have been the middle of December but it was Valentino's Day as Kettering over 45's squeezed past a resolute Tamworth team to go into the quarter finals of the Tier 2 Cup.
Remembering last years game when Kettering found themselves 5-1 up before creeping home 5-4 Tamworth set up to be hard to beat. The first half was fairly uneventful as neither side could put any patterns of play but with teh half petering out a short corner rebounded to Jane Valentino whose clean strike just struck the top of the backboard. The second half was quite similar; Tamworth looking threatening on the break but Kettering creating the clearer chances. Skipper Shez Coe hit the post and Kirsty Smith fired narrowly wide and Kettering were to pay for these misses as with 9 minutes to go Tamworth scored from a short corner. Kettering looked the most likely to find a winner, Smith having a goal disallowed for a foot but the game eventually went to penalty strokes.
Tamworth's first effort sailed wide and Dusty Mason gave Kettering a 1-0 lead.
Keeper Kate Metcalfe saved Tamworth's second and Mandy Starsmore Young scored to put Kettering 2-0 up.
Tamworth scored to keep themselves in it and Shez Coe's stroke sailed wide to make it 2-1 to the visitors.
Tamworth scored to briefly tie but Julia Telford fired home - 3-2 Kettering.
Tamworth scored again and Mel Linnell coolly fired home to send Kettering through to the last 10 ( which is in effect the quarter final).

Kettering will see whether they have to play an extra game to get the number of clubs down to 8 but should they get a bye they will be in action in February but they will have to show a bit more composure than they did today if they are to progress further.