MANAGER Aaron Blackwood has challenged his Feckenham side to improve their mental toughness as they bid to bounce back from Saturday’s 6-2 defeat at Coton Green.
The Millers were without numerous players through injury and were forced to field a number of reserves in their squad but, regardless, Blackwood was disappointed by certain aspects of his side’s performance.
Ben Cox’s goal on the stroke of half time – a low drive to cap a swift counter-attack – meant the visitors were only 2-1 down at the break, but they endured a second half to forget despite 16-year-old Alvechurch loanee Reece Edwards-Williams bagging his first Feckenham goal with a composed finish from Cox’s drilled cross.
Blackwood has urged his tenth placed side to respond in a positive fashion when they host Smithswood Firs in their next Midland League Division Two encounter at the Entaco on Saturday (2pm).
“We were well and truly beaten and rightly so, unfortunately it very quickly became an afternoon to forget,” said Blackwood.
“Coton Green are a good side, their two forwards complement each other well, but we gave them far too much respect and we were second best for much of the game and our boys know that.
“We don’t make excuses. It’s a young group of players, a talented group of players and I still have faith in them, but it’s important we improve mentally.
“We knew going into the game that we were without our recognised back line but Tom (assistant manager Tom Davies) and I still believed the team we fielded would be competitive.
“There will be changes this weekend. We’ve spoken to the squad collectively and everyone individually. We’ve trained in midweek, looking to get players back fit and hope to continue our good run of home form against Smithswood Firs.”
