FECKENHAM 3-0 LEAMINGTON HIBS: THE MOWDOG'S INDEPENDENT, LIGHTHEARTED REPORT + SCREENSHOTS OF THE GOALS...

 Defiant Hibs Downed By Proficient Millers…

Feckenham 3-0 Leamington Hibs

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

So it hadn’t rained all day. It had been windy though. An umbrella would have been of little use at this match due to the gusts, so I left mine in the car which I had been fortunate enough to park right outside the Rose & Crown pub on Feckenham’s main street.

Annoyingly, the wind dropped as the game began and for the final half-hour of play in grim light, persistent rain fell on Mill Lane. It was a problem to keep the camera dry but hopefully I managed to to capture the best of the action on video…

Hibs were well beaten really but typically they made life difficult for their hosts, especially after half-time when they kept the Millers at bay, although  three first period goals were enough to earn the Fecks a well deserved victory.

The opener came in the opening minute but strangely the other two were scored on counter attacks although it has to be recorded that Leamington didn’t really get in a meaningful shot on target through 90 minutes or so.

The officials took just about the full 15 minutes for the interval break, which did seem a little optimistic in the rather poor light and of course when the rain began, the final 10 minutes were played in very dull and damp conditions indeed.

The Millers’ fast start and dominant display…

Within the opening moments, Miller Will Skelton ran along the left flank and shoved a low cross into the 6 yard box, where Hibs’ Ash Dutton was unable to clear as he stretched and the ball sliced on towards colleague Rickylee Moore. He couldn’t reach the deflected delivery, so Miller Jack Neal was able to allow the ball to bounce off his chest and over the goal-line. 

MOORE CAN'T REACH SKELTON'S DEFLECTED CENTRE...

...& NEAL GUIDES THE BALL INTO THE NET...

Another Neal effort from downtown was saved comfortably by Hibs’ gloveman Roddy Attwood, before a long pass out of defence by Neal sent Skelton rushing through at inside-right, getting past Moore. As Attwood advanced, Skelton shot low and just inside the left upright for 2-0.

SKELTON SHOOTS...

...ATTWOOD IS BEATEN...

...& IT'S 2-0...

Subsequently, three times Skelton took shots, as a single-minded central striker often does but he sliced the first past the near right post, the next he volleyed well over the target and the third was parried smartly at his near stick for a right-flank corner by Attwood.

Soon a long kick forward by Hibs sent set-pieceman Ben Cox chasing through the middle and as the ball bounced at the edge of the penalty-box, his leap beat that of Attwood and the Miller ran on to nudge the ball over the goal-line for 3-0.

DETERMINATION FROM COX...

...WHO WINS THE BALL AND GUIDES IT INTO THE NET...

...FOR 3-0...

Neal drove a decent shot just wide of the right angle of crossbar and upright and Attwood survived a melee, when he lost the ball but neither home skipper David Phelan, nor Neal could benefit.

Hibs’ second period stubbornness and the Millers’ lack of penetration…

As the weather deteriorated and darkness hung over Mill Lane like a horror movie was about to begin, Hibs regained a lot of self-pride by battling really well, despite failing to make any real advances into the Fecks’ 18 yard area. The burly 99 Dan Ademola was a handful at times for home defenders Ash Bunn and Kian Davies but really, the striker managed only one shot in anger which was blocked.

Skelton’s nuisance running saw him shoot off target again and Cox drove a decent shot past the left angle but otherwise, the second 45 was a difficult watch as the light and weather worsened, many substitutions took place and in truth, at 3-0 in arrears Leamington were clearly not going to find a consolation goal.

Fair play to both teams at 90 minutes though, for there had been no let up in energy or effort.

The final words… 

Neal was industrious for the Millers but both Brad Hands and Lucas Cooke were very noticeable and effective in the midfield areas. Hands looked very creative and clever on occasions and he worked ably in tandem with Cooke. Both wide defenders Dan Williams and Billy Duggins looked comfortable all evening, with Duggins making several incisive forward rushes.

Skipper Phelan propped up midfield, Cox supported Skelton tirelessly and the tall centre-forward’s single-mindedness was very evident. He did cause visiting defenders Dutton and Ruben Bastos, the skipper, some hairy moments with his direct running. Skipper Bastos was forced off injured later in the match however…

Attwood did well enough between the uprights for Hibs, making two or three diving interventions from set-pieces, but poor home goalie Sherlock, sorry, Adam Watson must have wished for a busier evening in such unpleasant conditions.

Apart from the midfield and defensive industry by Hibs, Demilade Adeisrael worked tremendously hard to support Ademola, whilst Jordan Barry, Gabriel Maloney and Ed Brogden all fought strongly until the end.

So, Feckenham play promotion rivals Northfield on May 2nd, which will be third against second, although with a game in hand, the Millers are currently five points adrift of their competitors… 

Hibs lie 15th of 17 teams in the Midland League Division 3…

I left the ground wet and pondered that in the Millers’ squad there were two Bunns and a Cooke… 

You couldn’t make that up, really…