Cup ( H)
Won 4-2 on penalties after 2-2 at fulltime
(H/T 1-2)

Moulton booked their place in the final of the David Joyce Cup after a dramatic evening that saw them edge past a well-organised Wellingborough Scholars side in a penalty shoot-out.

The visitors struck first, capitalising on some uncharacteristically loose defensive work from Moulton in midfield and at the back to take an early lead. Moulton struggled to find rhythm in the opening exchanges, although they gradually began to edge possession as the half wore on.

That pressure eventually told when Toby Sainsbury found the equaliser, settling Moulton and giving them a foothold in the game. However, the momentum was short-lived as Moulton conceded a penalty, allowing Wellingborough to regain the lead and head into the break 2–1 up.

Moulton emerged for the second half with far greater intensity and control. They dominated possession and pinned Wellingborough back for long spells but found it difficult to break down a disciplined defence that stuck rigidly to its game plan.

With time running out, inspiration arrived from an unlikely source. A huge 60-yard clearance from Ben Fulthorpe caught the Wellingborough goalkeeper off his line and dropped perfectly into the net to level the scores with just eight minutes remaining.

Despite Moulton’s control of the ball, Wellingborough continued to pose a threat on the counter and went agonisingly close to a late winner, only to be denied by a brilliant, match-saving stop from Will Bewley in the Moulton goal. Wellingborough also felt they had a strong claim for another penalty waved away in the closing moments.

With the sides inseparable, the tie was decided from the spot. Bewley once again proved decisive, producing two outstanding saves in the shoot-out. Moulton kept their nerve, converting all of their penalties, and fittingly it was Man of the Match George Steers (sponsored by Greenglades Landscaping) who stepped up to score the winning kick.

A hard-fought contest against a very well-drilled Wellingborough side, but Moulton’s composure and resilience ultimately sent them through.