FORMER Redditch United ace Stuart Hendrie netted a clinical hat-trick to condemn Feckenham to a 4-1 home defeat to much-fancied Montpellier, but Millers joint assistant manager Tom Davies insisted there were positives for his side to take.
Feckenham, with three wins and three defeats to their name after six Midland League Division Two matches, will now aim to bounce back in Saturday’s Worcestershire Junior Cup tie at Bewdley Town Reserves.
The Millers’ goal came from their man of the match Jake Donnelly, who headed home a Umit Eminoglu corner on 71 minutes to make the score 3-1.
Davies said of Saturday’s encounter: “I didn’t feel the result reflected either the game or the performance that we displayed. It was a fair game and it came to their attackers taking their chances and that bit of luck at either end which just didn’t fall our way.
“That’s taking nothing away from Montpellier who are a very strong side and look full value for their league position.
“Our focus now changes to the Worcestershire Junior Cup and we’re under no illusion that it’ll be an easy fixture against Bewdley Town Reserves of West Midlands Regional League Division Two.
“We’ve had a poor run in this competition in recent years, getting knocked out against Wellend and Inkberrow in the first round respectively and we’re hoping to show a good account of ourselves this year.”
Meanwhile, Feckenham’s 19-year-old attacker George Tolley, who scored seven goals in 16 appearances last season, is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he has had to undergo surgery on a broken metatarsal sustained last season.
In reaction to the news, the Millers have put in a seven-day approach for a forward who is currently at a Midland League Division One club.
Davies said on Wednesday: “The club have kindly waived the seven days’ notice and (Millers boss) Aaron Blackwood had a positive chat with him on Tuesday, so we’re hoping to get that over the line within the next couple of days.”
STUDLEY eased into the FA Vase second qualifying round thanks to a 3-0 home win over United Counties League Division One side Long Buckby on Saturday.
Striker Andy Nicol scored twice and fellow front-man Gaz Evans also netted for Keith Draper’s side, who progress to host higher ranked North West Counties League Premier Division outfit Hanley Town on September 23.
The table-topping Bees visit Chelmsley Town in Midland League Division One on Saturday before heading to Racing Club Warwick for a Polymac Packaging League Cup tie on Tuesday.
