The Millers started with great intent and pinned their opponents back with a host of half-chances but faced a stubborn United defensive line who defended resolutely for large periods of the game.

Several minutes later after some nice interplay from the home side the VKL midfielder picked out Williams down the left-hand side in space, he fizzed in a low cross, but the United forward was only able to put his powered shot agonisingly wide of the post. This was to be the best chance for the home side in the opening 45 minutes.

A fine battle was begging to ensue between Williams and Clee. Williams on this occasion causing problems for the young defender, speeding past his man to win a free-kick on the edge of the box on the left. The delivery was delightful, a lofted ball which was headed over as VKL began to apply real pressure.

With 30 minutes on the clock The Millers grew back into the game and neat build up play by Barber, Lilly & Hay released (Jamie) Walsh but the difficult playing surface got the better of Walsh as the forwards effort took an unlikely bobble and the effort went wide.

Williams continued to cause havoc down the left, as he attempted to torment The Millers rear-guard, but Clee, Walker, Crombie and (Josh) Walsh with the support of (Jordan) Walsh defended well for much of proceedings and thwarted the United forward on this occasion as he cut inside.

A tight and cagey encounter during the first period saw the scores all square as Matt Homer blew for half-time.

HALF TIME: VKL United 0 – 0 Feckenham Athletic

Whatever was said by Mark at half time seemed to have the desired affect as Feckenham raced out the traps for the second half. The revitalised Millers were first to everything, and a fine counterattack released the ever-present (Jamie) Walsh down the right, the forwards cross was handled by the United defender and Homer pointed to the spot for a penalty.
Fisher composed himself and dispatched calmly low to the keepers right to give The Millers the lead.

Moments later, the influential Lilly could only watch on as his effort from just outside the box was well blocked by the United defender.

On the 57th minute we witnessed a moment of magic! A goal of the season contender no doubt. Feckenham had seemed to find their mojo as they began to play with a newfound confidence and vigour.

A phase of neat passing saw Caulwick deliver a fine cross for Hay who volleyed home, leaving the home custodian motionless - I tip my hat off to you Deano.

VKL were kept relatively at bay during the second period as neat build-up play seemed to break down when approaching the final third, whether it be a misplaced pass or wrong decision making.

The Millers all but sealed their passage to the semi-final when a Hay indirect freekick flew into the top corner – Was it meant? That’s potentially still up for debate but we’ll give him his dues because of that volley earlier!

The final periods of the game embed and flowed as the game came to it’s climax and United subsequently threw extra bodies forward, they were awarded a penalty late on following a clumsy challenge by Crombie. The VKL forward dispatched the penalty low past Averis despite the Feckenham custodians best effort and that was how it finished…

FULL TIME: VKL United 1 – 3 Feckenham Athletic

Feckenham XI: Averis, Clee, Walker, Crombie, (Josh) Walsh, (Jordan) Walsh, Barber, Fisher, Lilly, (Jamie) Walsh, Hay. Substitutes: (Josh) Walsh, Price, Murray, Caulwick.

REFS MOTM: Dean Hay

Report by Phil Tattersall