BILLY GARVEY was the two-goal hero for Redditch Borough as they booked their place in the semi-finals of the Les James Challenge Cup thanks to a 4-1 victory at local rivals Feckenham on Saturday.
However, the scoreline does not tell the whole story as the Millers missed several good chances which proved costly for Aaron Blackwood’s side at the Entaco.
Indeed, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top – if anyone – when the sides meet again on Saturday (3pm) at the Valley Stadium in a Midland League Division Two fixture.
Midway through the first half Feckenham’s George Tolley headed over when it seemed easier to score and the hosts were punished as Borough took a 2-0 lead into half time.
In the second half Jack Brimmell fired inches wide for Feckenham and Ben Cox had an effort well saved, but it was the visitors who continued to be the more clinical and Craig Malins and Liam Fullerton also got themselves on the scoresheet as Redditch moved into a 4-0 lead.
Danny Murphy bagged a consolation goal – his fifth strike in 12 games – for the home side with a firm finish to cap an impressive counter-attack but by then the outcome was beyond doubt.
Feckenham assistant manager Tom Davies said: “We are obviously bitterly disappointed in the end result and the overall performance.
“We know as a group that we can perform much better than that and everyone came into the changing rooms gutted knowing the result was there for us but unfortunately we didn’t go out and take it.
“Moving on to this weekend, I’m looking forward to another good derby game but this time with us coming out with the spoils.”
Borough head into this weekend’s fixture in fifth place, four places and six points better off than the Millers with two games in hand.