Islington Borough Ladies kept their cool from the spot yet again on Sunday when their Women’s FA Cup first round qualifier against rivals Berkhamsted Ladies went to penalties

FEW teams have shown more steel in this season’s Women’s FA Cup than Islington Borough Ladies.

Having beaten East Thurrock Community Women 4-3 in a shootout in the preliminary round, Islington found themselves back on the spot on Sunday when their first round qualifier against

Berkhamsted Ladies also went to penalties. Yet again, Michael Kelly’s squad displayed their “character and composure” as they won 7-6 at the Glencar Community Stadium in Hertfordshire after one of the most thrilling ties in the round had finished 3-3 after 90 minutes.

Berkhamsted took the lead on 19 minutes but Islington responded strongly, with Sarah Limb levelling the scores shortly after the half-hour mark when she added the finishing touches to Amanda Kresge’s pass.

A frantic opening 45 minutes then saw Berkhamsted restore their advantage, before Borough struck twice in five minutes to turn the topsy-turvy cup contest in their favour.

Kresge recorded her second assist of the afternoon when she set up Lucinda Anderson for the equaliser, before Silva Prendi fired Islington in front following good work from Laura Thomson.

A more sedate second half, certainly in terms of goals, saw Berkhamsted battle back to make it 3-3 to eventually send the tie to penalties.

After seven rounds of spotkicks the scores were level at 6-6, with Prendi, Anderson, Kresge, goalkeeper Jennika Kelly, Emely Santos and Thomson all finding the back of the net. Shot-stopper Kelly then saved Berkhamsted’s eighth penalty, giving Kate McAleer the opportunity to calmly convert the decisive kick of the afternoon to earn Islington an away day against Montpelier Villa in their second round qualifier.

Borough had already shown their mettle against East Thurrock, where a goal from Maggie Farrer helped them earn a 1-1 draw. Kelly, Farrer, Santos and Nicole Grainger then all kept their cool from 12 yards as the mighty Reds won 4-3 on penalties.

Praising Islington’s fortitude, gaffer Kelly said: “We have now negotiated two consecu­tive FA Cup ties via penalties, demonstrating the character and composure within the squad when the pressure is at its highest.

“A special shoutout to Nicole Grainger, who played her final game for the club after an incredible six years of service. Nic, thank you for everything you have given to this team, this club and everyone around it. You’ve been a huge part of our journey and you will be massively missed.”