Feckenham v Coton Green

Feckenham recorded a much needed home victory against a good Midland League Division Two rival in Coton Green on Saturday writes Phil Tattersall.

The Millers' management team were without defenders Ryan Edwards and Jamie Firkin alongside an ever growing injury list but were able to hand a full debut to 16-years-old central midfielder Sid Hicks.

A first half free kick from Ben Cox and a second half strike from Welsh were enough to seal the three points.

The Millers started brightly with Tuffin breaking down the left ending with a back post cross – but Green's goalkeeper did well to deny Ben Cox from close range.

Coton were kept relatively at bay by a well drilled Millers rear guard in a first half very much dominated by Feckenham with the visitors forced into efforts from distance.

Jack Brimmell was next to have an opportunity – volleying straight at the keeper following a cross from Williams.

Feckenham really should have taken the lead in the 23rd minute when Brimmell's blocked shot floored the Coton keeper – and squirmed just past the post with Murphy inches away from tapping home.

The break-through came following a foul on Welsh and from 26 yards Ben Cox's free kick went up and over the wall and in off the post.

Coton Green had chances as the half headed towards its close; A strike from distance resulted in a pin-ball effect, which eventually made its way to a Green forward whose effort was saved low down to his right by Goddard to make the half time score Feckenham 1 - 0 Coton Green.

Coton Green started the second half the livelier and saw a free kick well stopped by Goddard.

Just a matter of minutes later, Aaron Blackwood and Tom Davies's men could have doubled their lead as Tibbins picked up a loose pass and initiated a counter-attack, he found Rory Tuffin who in turn released Cox who blazed high and wide.

Coton Green saw arguably there best effort of the game headed off the line by Nokes, when the Green forward found space and looped an effort beyond the reach of Goddard.

But soon after it was two – as Welsh smashed home for The Millers following a delightful cut back from Brimmell.  

The visitors could have halved the deficit when a cross found the Green forward in space, but the big frontman flashed his shot wide of the far post.

The rest of the game petered out as Goddard, Welsh, Adams, Nokes, Williams and Tibbins marshalled a very competent and mature Feckenham defensive unit.

FULL TIME: Feckenham 2 - 0 Coton Green

FECKENHAM: Goddard, Welsh, Adams, Nokes, Williams (c), Hicks, Murphy, Tibbins, Cox, Tuffin, Brimmell (Faulkner 76') SUBS NOT USED: Blackwood, Cole, Ward, Garmson.

SCORERS: Cox, Welsh.

MOTM: Sid Hicks