FECKENHAM progressed into the semi-finals of the League Cup and made it five successive wins in all competitions in the process as they defeated visitors Bloxwich Town 2-0 on Saturday.
Goals from Danny Murphy either side of half time secured progress for the Millers against their Midland League Division Two counterparts, leaving joint assistant manager Tom Davies delighted.
“It’s pleasing to progress to the semi-finals and get another win. The consistency we’ve been asking for in terms of results we’re now getting and we continue to expect, however we know our performances need to improve and the lads are working hard in training to make that happen,” said Davies.
“Saturday’s game against (second placed visitors) Hampton is a big one. Losing to them on the opening day hurt and we’re out to rectify that this time around.”
The in-form Millers took the lead after 22 minutes when Murphy was set free and curled an effort up and around the onrushing Town goalkeeper.
It was ultimately job done on 67 minutes when Murphy put his body on the line and reacted quickest to bundle the ball over the line following a neat Ben Ellicott cross.
However, it was the visitors who started the game the better of the two and will probably be wondering how they did not score.
Jordan Adams and Ryan Edwards were soon in the thick of the action – stopping the Town forward in full flow with a well timed tackle and then clearance as Bloxwich looked to break out at pace at every opportunity in a lively opening first five minutes.
At the other end, Robbie Davies was hungry for the ball as he skipped past his marker with ease, but his low cross was just too far in front of a stretching Ben Welsh.
Bloxwich nearly took the lead with a 25-yard shot which struck the crossbar before being cleared by Millers captain and man of the match Jake Donnelly.
Moments later it was Feckenham who broke the deadlock as Umit Eminoglu found Davies in space and a neat ball by the forward released Murphy who did the rest.
Bloxwich rallied and Joe Nokes produced a superb goal-saving tackle before Edwards cleared an effort off the line.
In the second half Eminoglu’s powerful strike was blocked on the edge of the area and Adams headed over the bar from a corner before Murphy did make it 2-0 when Ellicott drifted past his marker and delivered a delightful cross which Welsh guided towards goal before Murphy reacted quickest to get the deftest of touches.
Unfortunately, that was the end of Murphy’s match as a collision with the post following the goal saw the midfield man having to come off and be rushed to hospital.
As Bloxwich piled forward and the Millers threatened on the counter-attack, it was amazing no further goals arrived, but the hosts had done enough to progress.
