Tenbury Town 2 Orleton 2 AET - Orleton win 6-5 on pens

DARREN Worthington is confident his Tenbury Town players to bounce back from an agonising sudden-death shoot-out defeat in the quarter-finals of the Leintwardine Cup.

Kieran Fish missed from the spot to cosign Town to defeat in an epic tie last weekend against higher-graded Orleton Colts at Palmer's Meadow.

But Town have little time to feel sorry for themselves - Worthington's men travel to Knowle Reserves this Saturday in the Worcestershire FA Minor Cup quarter-finals.

"We will will be mentally and physically prepared going into this weekend's cup match," said Worthington.

"The tie will be very challenging because Knowle have won both matches this year.

"I am sure my players will go into the game with confidence and, hopefully, progress to the next stage."

Town will be without Henri Harvey-Smith, who has suffered a long-term injury, Jack Farrar who is recovering from a minor operation, and Roger Dovey who has now retired from the sport.

Town put up a brave display in heavy conditions against Orleton last weekend.

The tie was the only football match in the Herefordshire League set-up which survived the wet weather.

Town went behind when a controversial corner was headed in at the far post by Kyle Whittcase.

However, Town levelled from spot through Ashley Botwood after Alex Bright was tripped, following good work from Adam Everall and Chris Patton.

Town went ahead on 21 minutes when Bright forced a fine save and Patton chipped the ball home.

Orleton levelled from the penalty spot early in the second half when Whittcase slotted in the spot-kick.

Mark Boucker had a chance early in extra-time and the hosts were denied a penalty after Bright tumbled inside the box.

In the shoot-out, Botwood, Boucker, Gavin Podmore, Lombardi and Chris Patton all kept their nerve.

But, in sudden-death, Fish fired his penalty over the top and Orleton scored to seal a semi-final spot.

Worthington said: "I was proud of how the players handled themselves - we had not played since early December.

"To take the tie into extra time against higher-graded opposition was a real test on fitness for our players on a difficult pitch."