A hint of rain in the air but a nice temperature for football. The pitch left a lot to be desired, bumpy and with a long but inconsistent grass growth. A difficult Summer.
After about 1 1/2 minutes a series of long throws by Mursley's full back saw pressure on Moulton. The ball broke to their number 9 who let fly with a rocket shot and we were 1 down almost before we got off the bus!
Straight after Moulton broke with Wiki and Cat prominent only for the ball to bounce just over the bar. Then after 5 minutes Cat flicked on to strike partner Shannon who mishit her shot round the post with just the keeper to beat. Moulton were not out of the game and were playing some neat passing football. After 10 minutes Moulton won a freekick on their right and Jess hit a great cross to the far post where Shannon met the ball with a header that looked destined for a goal, only for Mursley's keeper to dive late and claw the ball round the post.
After 37 minutes Moulton equalised when the ball looped off Bella and over the keeper for 1-1. Barely 2 minutes later Mursley's number 9 broke but with Moulton players around her there didnt seem any danger, but with Reedy having advanced off her line the number 9 managed to get a shot off that slid in for 2-1 Mursley. An excellent move with Kim and Millie plus a few others closely involved saw Cat race clear and power a shot into the corner for 2-2. Surely that was HT. No, the ref carried on playing and the ball broke down the right, A Mursley player ran on to it and advanced then hit a powerful shot across the keeper for 3-2 to Mursley at HT.
Lots of midfield play with Moulton more than holding their own. Then on 74 minutes Mursley 9 raced onto a through ball and lifted it over Moulton's keeper for 4-2 Mursley. Moulton continued to attack but time after time they were caught offside. On 68 minutes Wiki broke through on the left for Moulton and was one on one with the keeper, the ball broke slightly too far forward allowing Mursley's keeper to go down and make a save. Moulton continued attacking and Wiki and Bella got the ball to Jess who shot just past the far post. Sums up Moulton's afternoon. Chances created but not finished off. Again, after 76 minutes Wiki on the left slides the ball across the area , Bella was unable to reach it but it fell to Shannon who smashed the shot over the bar. 83 minutes Cat and Shannon created a chance for Jess who shot and the keeper made a late save down by her post.
On 85 minutes Jade played the ball in the area and it appeared to bounce up off her leg onto her hand. Ref signalled penalty and Mursley 9 smashed it into the roof of the net for her 4th and her teams 5th.
A 5-2 defeat sounds like a heavy defeat but a different story if Moulton had taken the many chances they created.
Onwards and upwards with Corby away next Sunday in the League.
Daisy is showing good signs in her first few games and Callie is solid at the back with Jade. Kim is working hard for the team and Bella showed some good touches when she came on. Wiki did well but will be playing at Wellingborough Town this season but may try for dual signing.
Shannon was prominent but must be more clinical with her finishing. Antonella just needs to sharpen her first touch to allow her time on the ball. Overall promising and with players coming back from injuries and holidays we must be ready for the first game.