FECKENHAM will return to Midland League Division Two action at Smithswood Firs on Saturday boosted by Saturday’s thrilling Worcestershire Junior Cup penalty shoot-out victory at Bewdley Town Reserves.
The Millers progressed into the last eight 5-3 on penalties as Jordan Adams, Umit Eminoglu, Ben Ellicott, Connor Perry-Holmes and Jake Donnelly all held their nerve from 12 yards following a 4-4 draw after 90 minutes.
The visitors did it the hard way as they fell 4-1 down before rallying to edge past their lower ranked hosts at Ribbesford Meadow.
Town took an early lead from the penalty spot and then, after Feckenham’s Danny Murphy had struck the post, doubled their advantage before the break with a neat finish following a fine counter-attack.
Eminoglu and Ben Welsh both went close for Feckenham before the visitors reduced their arrears when the ball was delivered to the far post and met by Connor Perry-Holmes who headed back across goal and his effort looped just under the bar.
However, it was very much a shortlived resurgence as, despite the Millers dominating possession, a fortuitous goal fell the way of the home side when a cross from 30 yards out drifted over Josh Goddard and into the net.
It was 4-1 a few minutes later when another swift move on the counter saw the ball worked right to left and the cross fell nicely for the Town forward who reacted quickest and somewhat spooned his effort in off the post.
Feckenham refused to accept defeat and Eminoglu’s deflected strike made it 4-2 before further pressure was rewarded when Ben Cox’s cross was met by Welsh who beat his marker and fired home from close range.
Bewdley missed a couple of chances to put the game to bed and they were punished with 84 minutes on the clock when Perry-Holmes was fouled and a free kick from 25 yards was struck sweetly around the wall and in from Eminoglu.
Feckenham could have sealed victory in regulation play but Welsh took too long in front of goal and substitute Ben Ellicott struck the post.
The visitors then did the business from the penalty spot, helped by Goddard who saved Bewdley’s fourth kick well down to his left.
Feckenham joint assistant manager Tony Round said: “Full credit to Bewdley on Saturday, they more than played their part in an entertaining fixture. They’re currently unbeaten in West Midlands Regional League Division Two and I can see why.
“We were disappointed with large parts of our first half performance, we were very much second best and the scoreline reflected that. However, the reaction after the interval was superb, we played with a real energy and intensity which wasn’t there during the first 45 and, once we’d scored our second, it always felt like we’d get ourselves back into the fixture.
“Saturday sees us back in league action against a good Smithswood Firs side who have hit a good bit of form. This fixture usually produces goals and we’ll go there looking to get back to winning ways in the league.”
