It's been a season of disappointment for our Football and Education but today handed them an opportunity to continue a pursuit of silverware in a tough campaign by their own standards. For the league, it's two games to go to finish an underwhelming season off which they can't really do anything with but this was their chance. They came into today's game full of confidence having taken two wins from their last two since a difficult run of form losing three in a row.

They also came into the game very depleted with big stars such as Louie Clifford, Josh Harwood, David Kawigya, etc all missing from the sqaud. Those three were in the squad the last time they visited Kettering Town which was only two weeks ago by the way, in which Church put seven past their opponents in a routine 7-0 win at the same place they travelled to, today. On the flip side of that result, Pearce' and Barnett's squad would have known that the hosts were out to enact a bit of revenge and a reaction to that thumping handed out.

At the quarter-final stage for the first time in their history in this competition, it was a season to keep re-writing the history books if they could but could the 12 players that Church had available to them keep that silverware dream alive and sail into the semi-finals?

HOW IT UNFOLDED:
The Church started how they finished the contest a fortnight ago, scoring goals! It only took us nine minutes this time around to get onto the scoresheet. A beautiful and delicate ball over the top of the defence allowed Jaelon West to power through. He had a lot to do but thanks to the goalkeeper racing off his line and then hesitating as he approached the ball, West was able to clip it over the top of him and the ball bounced into the net to give us a dream start.

Seven minutes later, the home team could have drawn level had it not been thanks to Spike Whitehouse's double save. A shot from close range was rifled through the bodies making it an even better save to deny them the first time. The rebound fell invitingly for the striker to have what he thought was a tap-in, but Whitehouse raced across his goal to smother the ball and keep us ahead.

On the 20 minute mark, Church had two chances themselves to capitalize and give us some breathing room in the cup tie. Will Hicks did well down the right-hand side before whipping in a sensational ball to the back post for West, who came storming in but couldn't direct the ball into the net as it hit his standing foot. However, the ball sailed to the other side of the pitch for Abdul Shamiri, who picked up the pieces before curling in his own fantastic cross. Hicks, this time, on the end of the cross but he couldn't generate the power needed to beat the goalkeeper from 5 yards out. To their credit, the goalkeeper made a superb save on that occasion.

That save proved to come at a crucial stage in the encounter as Kettering raced up the other end and levelled up just three minutes after. Church were guilty of losing possession in a key part of the pitch before the home winger saw space open in-front of him, he put the cross on a plate for the striker, who had the simple task of knocking it over the white line. Nothing Whitehouse could do to deny them.

Ten minutes before the break, the home side nearly cashed in to steal the lead. We gave the ball away again in a cheap area. The skipper drove forward, advancing at real speed, he took a chance and gambled. The strike from 25 yards out came back off the base of the right-hand post. Whitehouse didn't even move, he thought it was in but the woodwork coming to the Church' aid.

HT: KETTERING TOWN 1-1 ALVECHURCH

Pearce and Barnett demanded more intensity from their group of players to inject a bit more urgency in their play. Ten minutes into the second half and it almost paid dividends. A cross was cleared only as far as the edge of the area but Kayden Heath thundered his volley back in towards goal. The strike hit the underside of the crossbar and clearly crossed the line but the referee was waiting for the linesman's flag to go up, but nothing given. Frustration is an understatement. Clearly over the line, but nothing given.

On 62 minutes, the home side should have and probably have taken the lead for the first time in the contest as the striker was clean through on goal but he lacked the composure in-front of the gaping target. The strike was fired in but headed high and wide of Whitehouse' sticks.

With 17 minutes left on the clock, time was racing by. Jaelon West did have the ball in the net after making a super run in behind but a dubious offside decision meant that the frustration continued to grow for the travelling Worcestershire based club. Then came the decisive moment in the game as Church were reduced to 10 men and for the last ten minutes of the encounter, Church had to stand strong and avoid conceding that second goal.

That second goal for the hosts nearly arrived with five to go. We were caught out, and left with us panicking to get back in to clear the impending danger. The ball was cut across the face of goal and the striker was left with an empty net in-front of him. SOMEHOW SPIKE SAVED IT! A tap-in is an under-statement but our number one flung himself across the goal to make a fantastic save.

FT: KETTERING TOWN 1-1 ALVECHURCH

Penalties followed and the home side won.

PENS:
Kettering 0-0 Alvechurch: KET MISS
Kettering 0-1 Alvechurch: ALV SCORE
Kettering 0-1 Alvechurch: KET MISS
Kettering 0-1 Alvechurch: ALV MISS
Kettering 1-1 Alvechurch: KET SCORE
Kettering 1-1 Alvechurch: ALV MISS
Kettering 2-1 Alvechurch: KET SCORE
Kettering 2-1 Alvechurch: ALV MISS
Kettering 3-1 Alvechurch: KET SCORE & WIN