Redditch Borough 1-1 Feckenham

The Millers management team were without the experienced Robbie Ager, Umit Eminoglu, Scott Penlington, Ben Welsh, Corey Lloyd, Andy Liddle, Declan Print and injured vice-captain Jordan Adams for this Midland League Division Two fixture but were able to welcome back captain Daniel Williams, Brad Frain and youngster Adam Garmson writes Phil Tattersall.

Feckenham had the better of the opening period and almost went in front on four minutes when Danny Murphy's strike from outside the box went just past the post.

Borough quickly grew into the game and had their first real chance on ten minutes when a long throw was met by the forward whose header went across goal and narrowly wide.

But Feckenham continued to move the ball well on a very slick surface at the Valley Stadium with Max Tibbins and Danny Murphy both helping The Millers impose their style on the game, and had it not been for a good save by the home sides goalkeeper from Williams' effort Feckenham may well have gone ahead on 17 minutes.

Moments later Feckenham finally found that break-through, as the ball was worked well into 17-year-old forward Adam Garmson who delivered a delightful cross which saw Brimmell head home, back across goal - for his fifth goal of the season.

Redditch Borough finished the half stronger, as their direct approach was beginning to have a big say. A long punt up field found the Reds' wide midfielder who beat Frain but blazed over the crossbar.

The home side were huffing and puffing but couldn’t break the Feckenham defence down who were marshalled well by Goddard, Firkin and Edwards as the half drew to a close.

Borough continued where they had left off after half time as they caused a threat from corners and throw-ins deep in The Millers half.

Feckenham responded quarter of an hour later, though, when they looked to regain momentum in the game a swift counter attack released Cox who's effort was well held by the Borough goalkeeper.

Soon after Borough scored a deserved equaliser following a set piece, the first delivery was headed away by Edwards but Feckenham reacted slowest to the second ball and the Reds' midfielder found a forward in space who slotted home low past Goddard.

An entertaining local derby in attritional conditions began to get stretched as the full time whistle approached with both sides creating opportunities and a succession of corners saw Borough come close to taking all three points.

The last few moments encapsulated the spirit within this Millers side however, as they too went in search for the three points against their in-form rivals.

George Tolley saw a curling effort tipped away by the goalkeeper and out for a corner, whilst Jack Brimmell danced past two defenders before seeing his effort cannon off the post and into the grateful hands of the Redditch goalkeeper.

Arguably the best chance of the last few moments came through Danny Murphy, good play down the right channel by Ben Cox saw the wide midfielder zip a ball across the face of goal which saw Murphy unfortunately get his bearings wrong - when he seemed destined to get the all important winner.

Feckenham boss, Aaron Blackwood, said: "In the end I believe it was a fair result, unlike last week we were able to impose ourselves against a good Redditch Borough side, particularly in the first half where we were assertive and aggressive in our approach which allowed Dan Williams, Danny Murphy and Max Tibbins (18-years old) to have an important say on proceedings and I'm pleased with Max's contribution in recent weeks as 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.

"Moving onto next week and we are at home against Barnt Green Spartak, 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."

Feckenham: Goddard, Frain (Nokes 45), Firkin, Edwards, Faulkner (Tolley 66); Murphy, Tibbins, Williams (c); Cox, Garmson, Brimmell. Unused Subs: Blackwood, Wilson, Langston.

Goalscorer: Jack Brimmell MOTM: Adam Garmson (Feckenham)