FECKENHAM manager Aaron Blackwood praised his side after they bounced back from defeat to the same opposition to claim a 1-1 draw at Redditch Borough on Saturday.
The Millers were beaten 4-1 at the Entaco by Borough seven days earlier in the Les James Challenge Cup quarter-final, but a week on they produced a more resolute performance against their higher placed Midland League Division Two opposition.
Feckenham took the lead on 27 minutes at the Valley Stadium when 17-year-old forward Adam Garmson delivered a fine cross which was headed back across goal and into the net by Jack Brimmell – his fifth goal of the season.
However, Borough hit back and deservedly levelled midway through the second half when the ball was only partially cleared from a set piece and Courtney Sowe fired home.
Feckenham pushed for a late winner but Brimmell struck the post before Danny Murphy was inches away from getting a decisive touch in front of goal in the dying moments.
Blackwood, whose 11th placed side host Barnt Green Spartak on Saturday, said: “I believe it was a fair result.
“Unlike the previous weekend we were able to impose ourselves against a good Redditch Borough side, particularly in the first half when we were assertive and aggressive in our approach which allowed Dan Williams, Danny Murphy and Max Tibbins to have an important say on proceedings.
“I’m pleased with Max’s contribution in recent weeks. He’s only 18 and he’s starting to come of age and show his potential.
“As expected, Redditch built up some momentum in the second half and scored a deserved equaliser. My main frustration after the break was that we continued to find those spaces but a lack of quality and composure meant we couldn’t exploit them.
“It was a derby game played at full throttle with both teams having a right go in difficult conditions and we came close to nicking all three points through Danny’s (Murphy) and Jack’s (Brimmell) efforts late on.
“We now face a Barnt Green Spartak side who seem to be stuttering as of late following a very good start to the season, but we know they’ve got a lot of experience and quality within their squad and a good manager in GJ Singh, so we’ll expect nothing but another tough league fixture.”
Redditch Borough, who are sixth, visit Hampton in the Birmingham Vase on Saturday.
