Great weather and conditions for football. Moulton started brightly and exerted pressure on the Crick defence, however with their first attack on 7 minutes, Crick number 7 latched onto the ball and shot hard and high into the top corner for 1-0 Crick. Moulton didn't let their heads go down and continued to pressure the Crick defence. On 13 minutes a good run down the right by Millie saw her win a corner. Up stepped Leah with her super left foot to take an inswinger into the 6 yard box where Hayley was first to react and score the equaliser, 1-1. Crick attacked from the kick off and won a corner that Moulton did well to block and divert the ensuing shot over the crossbar. A good open game with both teams looking to attack, and on 23 minutes a smart attack involving most of Moulton's attackers, Cat and Stephanie saw Sophie T released down the left, she cut in and beat the keeper at the near post for 2-1 Moulton. Perhaps Moulton would now relax and put the game out of Crick's reach. On 32 minutes a super break saw Sophie again on the charge but this time her shot just missed the far post. Three minutes later another Moulton attack saw Sophie and Steph exchange passes and Stepanie tried a shot that just missed. Just when it appeared that Moulton were in control Crick broke and although Moulton defence seemed in charge of the situation, Crick's number 7 had other ideas and a smart shot went hard and low into the corner for 2-2. From the kick off Cat made a great run onto the ball and looped her shot over the keeper but also over the crossbar, would have been justice for the tireless running that Cat was doing up top. Just one minute later an interchange down the right saw Georgie, who was working hard for the team, find Reedy who had come on up top as our super sub. Reedy took a touch and blasted a hard high shot over Crick's keeper for 3-2 Moulton. Reedy has made a habit of scoring important goals this season as an outfield sub. Just before half time Crick's 22 broke clear on the left and cut in and her shot was stopped by Harriet's legs, it broke to an onrushing Crick player who shot and a goal looked certain until Harriet and Jade somehow got to the ball and blocked it for Hayley to boot clear. Phew! Half Time 3-2 Moulton.
The game was very much in the balance with the lightning quick Crick number 22 a constant threat. Moulton attacked on 50 minutes and Georgie had a shot blocked and on the follow up Sophie had a run cleared for a corner. Corner came over and was parried by Crick's keeper , who was having a decent game. Another Moulton attack saw Reedy make a good run down the right but her cross went out for a goal kick.
On 55 minutes another break saw Cat through and her shot cleared the keeper but also the crossbar. Just two minutes later a good move down the left saw Steph make a great pull back which found Georgie who had her goalbound effort blocked. Straight after Millie and Sophie broke down the left and Millie left the ball for Sophie who shot but missed the near post. Moulton were on top now and a move between Callie and Sophie down the left on 60 minutes saw Sophie shoot and the keeper parry away for a corner. 65 minutes had gone when Crick 22 made another run down the left and cut in but her shot was blocked. 68 minutes had gone when Moulton broke and Cat again beat the keeper and the crossbar. 5 minutes later a Moulton attack saw the ball find Stephanie who took a shot that appeared to be going in until the keeper spread herself to make the block. It took until the 80th minute for Moulton to make the game safe, a promising move saw the ball break just outside the area to Steph Gates who took aim and hit a super shot hard and high into the top corner for 4-2 Moulton. Two minutes later a good cross by Georgie found Steph on the stretch and the ball came off her toe and just cleared the crossbar. On 83 minutes the ball was on the right of midfield with Shannon who hit a marvellous first time pass to Sophie T on the left which landed at her foot. Sophie hit it first time into the net for a cracking goal making the game safe at 5-2 Moulton. Just before the end a Moulton corner came over and a superb Steph header hit the post and away to safety for another corner. Crick number 22, who had been on the halfway line when the corner was taken went down with noone near her. It was a warm humid day and she appeared to have suffered from the heat and perhaps lack of hydration. After a long break she was assisted off the pitch and most of the Moulton players applauded her off. A mark of respect for a very good player, well done Moulton Ladies. When play resumed another corner came over and Hayley just failed to make proper contact and the danger was cleared.
This was one of the Ladies' best displays of the season and they tried to keep the ball on the deck and play passing football rather than aimless balls forward. Cat gave a target and her hold up play was very good, together with Stephanie they were unfortunate not to have been on the scoresheet. In goal Harriet was caught off her line for the first goal but she also made numerous good saves and blocks to keep Crick at bay.
Georgie was played in several positions and played the full 90 minutes and was well deserving of her Player of the Match award. Hayley was a rock in defence ably supported by Callie who again impressed. Sophie G and Sophie T both had super games with Sophie G used in defence and midfield. Shannon's pass for Sophie T's goal was amazing and we need to see more of this vision and play. Millie's speed and direct running caused problems to Crik's defenders. Chelsee and Jade had little time to impress but are both important cogs in the team and squad. Leah's left foot for corners etc is magic and she got a bang in the face which impacted on her eye and she ended up in A & E with a firther visit on Monday morning, we wish her well for a good recovery with no serious long term damage. So, all in all a massive result and even more important a good passing display. Well done all.