After last week's poor display, I am pleased to say that Moulton Ladies gave a much improved display this week. Against a strong and well organised Corby Ladies Moulton gave as good as they got in the first 20 minutes of even, end to end football. 21 minutes and a fast Corby attack saw Callie make 2 interceptions and clear the danger. Just a minute later, again Callie made an interception and played a lovely out ball over the head of the Corby attacker. On the half hour a super interception from Leah and she set Moulton away with a good pass forward. 36 minutes had gone when Moulton were awarded a free kick for a push in the back. Georgie stepped up and her shot on goal narrowly cleared the crossbar. Moulton had a strong foothold in the game at this stage until a break from Corby found number 23 who hit the ball hard and high and with the keeper well off her line, the ball sailed into the net for 1-0 Corby. Immediately after this, a fast break from Moulton saw Stephanie find Kitty with a good pass. Kitty calmly hit the ball into the net. However Corby's linesman flagged for offside which was dubious at best. Moulton were not to be denied and Kitty was again found on the left, a lovely left footed cross found Stephanie running in. She just got a foot to the ball and wrong footed the keeper and the ball rolled slowly into the net for 1-1. A well deserved equaliser. Just before halftime, a swift Corby break saw number 26 reach the ball just before the Moulton onrushing keeper. This was enough to put off the player and the ball cleared the crossbar. Half time 1-1.
Second half started and after 49 minutes Corby won a corner on the left. The ball came over and should have been cleared but wasn't with the inevitable result that Corby number 29 hit the ball at the 2nd attempt into the near post corner of Moulton's goal. 2-1 Corby. Following a Moulton attack, Corby broke and had a 2 on 2 and number 32 was too quick for the Moulton defenders and she shot past the keeper and in off the post for 3-1 Corby. After 60 minutes Moulton attacked and Sophie did well down the left, the ball then found Stephanie who cut across the area, got the ball onto her right foot and hit a shot across the goal and into the near corner, 3-2 Corby. After 69 minutes, Millie had come back on to the pich and she set off on one of her mazy dribbles at pace, Corby's defence were all at sea and the ball found Sophie Taylor who smashed it into the net to make it 3-3.
Unfortunately a long through ball for Corby was not dealt with by the Moulton defence, Corby number 32 then hit the ball first time into the net for 4-3 Corby, a disappointing goal when Moulton had clawed their way back into the game from a 2 goal deficit. Moulton then attacked and were awarded a free kick some 32 yards out, Stephanie tried a shot at goal but it lacked pace into the wind and the keeper saved at the 2nd attempt. After 78 minutes the Moulton defence hesitated on the edge of their box, Corby 32 didnt need a second invitation and hit a hard shot which Moulton's keeper got her hands to but couldnt keep out of her net, 5-3 Corby. Corby attacked again and a strong shot appeared to be heading for the corner before Hattie dived full length to make a good save. Moulton were not finished yet. A long ball forward found Sophie T who got a good flick on to Stephanie who lifted the ball over the keeper to make it 5-4 to Corby. Hardly any stoppage time was played and Corby were booting the ball anywhere at the death to try to hang on to their slender lead. Final result a win for Corby 5-4.
I am pleased to say that this was an altogether much better display than of late. Most players worked very hard and there was some pleasing passing football played. Players of the match was shared by Stephanie who scored three goals and Antonella who worked tirelessly in midfield. Kitty also played well but wasn't used enough in the 2nd half by those around her. No match on Easter Sunday and we again play Corby on the 12th April at Moulton again.