Match Report for League match away against Desborough Ladies, 10th November 2024

Weather was superb for a winter game of football and Moulton Ladies started out trying to play good football against a Desborough team that played with a high defensive line, often catching the eager Moulton forwards offside and frustrating them going forward.
Seven minutes played and all Moulton but a mixture of weak finishing and a decent keeper kept the score 0-0. After 14 minutes, more Moulton pressure and Steph and Kim both had shots either saved or narrowly missing the post. Just 3 minutes later Sarah, who was having a decent game, got over a cross, Molly's first touch skyed the ball and as it came down she blasted over the bar.
On 23 minutes Sarah stuck out a leg and deflected the ball goalwards where it hit one post and rolled along the line before being cleared. The Desborough goal appeared to have a charmed life but seconds later, Georgia made a run down the right and her first time cross was turned in calmly by Steph for 1-0 Moulton. Three minutes later, Fi made a simple pass to Kim who lifted the ball over the Desborough defence and Molly ran through and closed in on goal before burying her shot in at the near post for 2-0 Moulton.
The next 10 minutes saw some scrappy midfield play with Desborough coming more into the game with Moulton all playing deep with no outlet. 41 minutes and a Desborough corner saw the ball break and a forward hit the ball towards the far corner of Moulton's goal, only for Jade to hammer the ball to safety almost off the line. Half time 2-0 Moulton with Desborough trying to play some decent football.
48 minutes and Harley was involved in some neat interplay on the left, the ball broke to Georgia who took 2 steps forward and smashed the ball in at the near post for 3-0 Moulton. 5 minutes later saw Cat and Georgie with some neat interplay, the ball eventually finding Georgia who smashed it at goal only to see the keeper get fingertips to the ball and divert it for a corner. On 59 minutes Sarah pushed the ball to Steph who went through the middle and the keeper was out quickly to save the first effort only for Steph to regain control and score into the empty goal, 4-0. On 70 minutes Steph and Georgia did some neat passing and Georgia smashed a shot that came back off the underside of the bar and to safety. 10 minutes later Cat and Amelia played up the right and they found Georgia who was in rampant mood now. She moved forward and beat the keeper with ease for 5-0 Moulton. With just a few minutes remaining Georgia was in good position for a shot but unselfishly played the ball across the box to Molly who took a touch and fired a good shot into the corner for 6-0.
Final result was 6-0 to Moulton who remain unbeaten in the league.
Sarah worked tirelessly for the cause and deservedly was awarded player of the match, well done Sarah.
Once the forwards worked out how to beat the defensive high line the result was never in doubt.
Harriet was rarely troubled in goal and her handling looked sound. The back 3 were their usual solid selves with Cat getting more confident in the 2nd half and she created some good passing moves with Georgie and Amelia down the right. In midfield Kim found her mojo and looked in full command of the midfield area along with the other midfielders, with Charlotte looking very solid in the first half and Antonella getting back to her best in the 2nd half. Beth had a very solid first half shielding the defence.
Steph leads the line brilliantly and was well supported by Molly and they had two goals apiece. Georgia is now beginning to realise that she is capable of taking defences apart and although she scored twice it could easily have been 4 or 5 on any other day.
All in all an encouraging performance with a few fringe players taking their chance and showing how good they are. Well done Ladies and on to another cup game next Sunday.
against Long Buckby Reserves.