Start of match delayed some 25 minutes as the referee and myself were delayed by an accident which closed the A43 to Kettering from Northampton.
Moulton had the strong wind behind them and also the sun. A bright breezy afternoon.
Moulton went on the offensive from the kickoff and the strikers wee again guilty of missing good chances. However a good run and pass by Millie saw Sophie T beat the keeper for 1-0 Moulton on about 8 minutes. A long goalkick by Reedy in Moulton's goal bounced once and almost beat the Kettering keeper. We had to wait until the 15th minute for another goal. Millie involved again and as the ball bounced the keeper came out and Sophie T calmly lobbed over her head for 2-0 Moulton. On the 18th minute Callie moved forward with the ball, then hit it hard and low and beat the keeper only for the ball to bounce back off the post. Moulton continued to put pressure on Kettering and on 24th minute were awarded a free kick out of the right about 30+ yards from goal. Up stepped Georgie, just like at Corby a few weeks ago, and she powered in the freekick which beat the keeper for 3-0 Moulton. Soon after Sophie was again released by Millie and she unfortunately put the bouncing ball wide of the keeper and the post. Again on 30 minutes Cat and Sophie contrived to miss another good chance, they were playing really well but finishing needs to improve. 35 minutes, Cat again charges through the defence and her effort narrowly missed the far post. Just one minute later Cat was again on the charge and the keeper got to the ball first but the spilled it and Cat pounced! round the keeper and into the empty net for 4-0. Reedy in Moulton's goal was rarely troubled but her handling was solid when she was called into action and her kicks were a good source of attack for Moulton. Just on half time Cat showed good control and played the ball sideways to Sophie but her shot was off target.
Half Time 4-0 Moulton, but with their superiority it could have been 8 or 9.

After just 5 minutes of the 2nd half Moulton put a super move together with Cat and Sophie again involved , the ball was played to Shannon and her solid shot hit the post and away from danger. Then Chloe got in on the action as a sub at HT. She took the ball on the left and beat her defender into the edge of the area and cooly smacked her shot hard and high over the keeper against the wind for 5-0. On 52 minutes Cat again surged through past the defenders, this time she shot early and saw her shot rebound off one post along the line and hit the other post before being cleared. Almost immediately after, Cat had another good run but on this occasion the keeper held on to the shot. Chloe and Sophie were linking up really well on the left side , leaving Cat to fill the middle. This she did really well, charging through again and beating the keeper with a firm shot to make it 6-0. It was surprising that more hadn't been seen of some decent Kettering players. Antonella eventually got her chance replacing Sophie Gates who had another sound game in midfield. After 65 minutes Sophie T made a great run down the left, cut in and had a good shot that Kettering's keeper did well to palm round the post. Just 3 minutes later Moulton attacked down the right, the ball was played over and Cat caught it first time to make it 7-0. A really good finish. Moulton's midfield became a bit complacent and started to push higher upfield, leaving spaces for Kettering to exploit. Just 2 minutes later a lovely move involving Sophie, Cat and Millie saw the ball laid across the goal and Millie came steaming in to power her shot into the net for a long awaited goal to reward all her determined running. 8-0.
Chloe and Sophie continued to cause havoc for Kettering's defence but this time Chloe's finish was way off target. Kettering were beginning to look a bit menacing and from one innocuous looking attack, their number 8 hit the ball with power into the far corner of Moulton's net for
8-1. Leah was back on as a sub and the ball found her in the area, she turned and ripped it but unlike last week, this time over the bar. Almost immediately Kettering's number 8 received the ball some 30 yards from Moulton's goal, she took a touch and ripped it over Harriet and into the top corner for 8-2. Moulton's midfield had again pushed forward leaving space for Kettering to exploit. A bit end to end stuff now. A Moulton attack with the keeper saving Cat's shot, the ball broke up the other end where Harriet was forced into a diving save and she the pounced on the rebound. A Kettering attack and they were awarded a freekick some 30 yards out, up stepped number 8 again but Hayley, who had been a pillar at the heart of Moulton's defence, headed away the hard goalbound shot. With just 4 minutes left, Moulton attacked again and Sophie T and Cat combined well. Sophie T eventually powered a shot past the keeper for 9-2. End of the action and a well deserved league win at last for Moulton. That is now 19 goals in 2 games!
Next up is a return league game against Kettering at Moulton on Sunday. We must not be complacent, must close down Kettering's midfielders and win the game before pushing all out forward.
Both Moulton's keepers played well and kicked well. In defence Hayley excelled well supported from Georgie and Callie.
Midfield ran the show until they lost their shape late on, with Kim and Shannon in control with Sophie Gates and Leah starting and both having solid games. Up top Millie impressed with her strong running and a few good passes and pull backs which have in the past sometimes been lacking. Keep it up Millie. Cat and Sophie T were excellent but again could have filled their boots with a bit better decision making when shooting or running through on goal. Both scored hat tricks so it is a bit churlish but they must work on decision making and finishing.
Chloe came on in the 2nd half and again terrorised defenders with her strength and speed. Again, just a bit more composure and she will score loads. Jade made a welcome return off the bench and showed composure at right side defence with Antonella also looking solid in midfield.
Chelsee got a knock soon after coming on and hopefully she will be fit for the return.
All in all two very good weeks for the Moulton Ladies , but just confirming what we knew was a decent team just lacking the conviction to kill teams off. Let's have a good end to the season with lots of games left to play.