Moulton Football Club

On Sunday 25th February 2024 we entertained Crick Athletic Ladies in the semi final of the NTFA Cup. The afternoon started sunny but soon clouded over with a moderate breeze.
Jade and Steph returned from injuries and Chloe was available. Calista joined our injury list along with Beth and Stacey. This was Tilly's last game before she sets out to travel the Far East and Australia.
Moulton started quickly playing some lovely football and keeping Crick under pressure. Two chances fell to Steph in the 9th and 10th minutes but these were kept out by the under pressure Crick defence and keeper. Then Fi played an exquisite through ball with the outside of her foot but Chloe had just strayed offside. After 20 minutes some delightful Moulton passing saw Georgia released down the Moulton right, she cut in to the box and hit a great shot that canoned back into play off the post. 36 minutes and another flowing move found Georgia on the right. She advanced and put over a wicked cross/shot that just cleared the bar and far post. On 38 minutes a good pass from Fi put Wiki away, she cleverly beat her fullback and went on and hit an early shot that missed the near post, still 0-0. Chloe then gained possession on 41 minutes, she picked out Steph with a simple pass and Steph advanced on the keeper and slid the ball into the corner for 1-0 Moulton. Scant reward for all their good play in the first half. Just on half time some Crick pressure was broken up, but a hesitant defence saw the ball break to Crick's number 10, who hit a hard, high shot from almost 30 yards high into the roof of Moulton's net. 1-1. This was Crick's only shot of note in a first half dominated by Moulton. But half time 1-1 with all to play for in the 2nd half.
Crick started brightly in the 2nd half, buoyed by their goal at the end of the 1st half. Then after 55 minutes Beth and Steph did some one twos and sent Steph away to the edge of Crick's area but her shot was comfortably held by Crick's keeper. After 59 minutes more Moulton pressure saw Steph involved again and the ball rolled along the Crick goal line and was channeled away for a corner. 60 minutes had gone when Chloe was fouled some 30 yards from goal. Up stepped Sophie who hit a hard, high shot that bounced off the crossbar and was cleared for a corner. Just 3 minutes later Chloe used some fancy footwork before putting Wiki away down the middle, she was bumped off the ball by a defender but managed to find Steph who advanced and smashed her shot past the keeper for 2-1 Moulton. Moulton's quality was really showing through as they were playing excellent football and causing Crick lots of problems. Another foul on 67 minutes some 25 yards from goal saw Kim take the kick and shoot high and hard and again the crossbar was hit with Wiki just unable to reach the rebound.
More good Moulton play saw Georgia put away, she found Wiki with a ball through the middle, Wiki was on to it and as the keeper advanced she calmly lobbed the ball over her only to see it agonisingly just clear the post. Molly then played a great ball over the top from the right that found Wiki with a one on one with the keeper, she just stretched to reach the ball which richoched off the keeper to safety. With 3 minutes stoppage time to play, more good Moulton play saw Sarah play the ball to Wiki who headed up in the air and chased the ball and nodded it down for Molly to strike a great volley from 25 yards out to make it 3-1 to Moulton and finish the game as a contest.
Moulton continued to play the good passing football in the first half that is in their DNA ,all that was missing was the end product of goals. Crick have a decent side that appear to have grown together and a move up to the Premier will help their further development as a squad.
Final Result Moulton Ladies 3 Crick Athletic Ladies 1.

Harriet showed some good handling skills but was rarely troubled. In front of her Cat, Jade and Fi were always in control apart from the one mistake at the end of the first half. Jade was strong and fast when needed and Fi is a fearsome tackler and has recently played some great forward passes to start up attacks.
Midfield was solid with Antonella back to her best with simple passing to set away her own players. Kim gives the experience and strong tackling needed in midfield and Wiki on the left is always a willing runner and the breaks will come for her very soon. On the right Georgia with speed , strength and skill terrorises defences and she also gets back to help out her defence if needed.
Up top, Chloe and Steph are almost back to their very best and Steph's composure in front of goal is a lesson to all. Chloe, with her fan club in the stands, showed some incredible ball skills as well as being fearless in the tackle.
Subs, Tilly came on and made an impact allowing Wiki to go uptop with Steph being rested. We all wish her well in her travels. Beth slotted into holding midfield again to protect the defence and to start attacks moving. Molly is getting her fitness back after injury and her strike for the third goal was superb and resembled one she scored earlier in the season. Sarah came on and as always gave 100% and chased and harried the defenders. Recent signing Ellie came on and showed promise but needs a few games to get on the wavelength with the Moulton way.
All in all another quality Moulton Ladies performance and with our injury list the benefit of a large squad is evident. We look forward to the final against Bugbrooke St Michael Ladies whenever a date and venue are announced.