On Thursday we fielded a full squad however today we had unavailability and call offs leaving our bench quite thin.
The weather was bright and breezy and ideal for a game of football on a good 3G surface.
Moulton were not overawed by the difference in league positions and started the match on the front foot. After only 2 minutes a quality pass from Stephanie found Kitty who cut in and hit a super shot that smashed against the crossbar and away to safety. Soon after Kitty won the ball in midfied and found Stephanie who hit a tame shot which the keeper fielded comfortably. After 18 minutes back came Moulton and the midfielders tried a few times to release Kitty on the left. Eventually a great pass found her and she advanced before smashing a hard shot up and over the keeper and into the far corner of Bugbrooke's net for 1-0 Moulton. A well deserved lead after Moulton's bright opening. A matter of minutes later Kitty again made a run down her wing and this time she crossed to Stephanie who took a touch and calmly hit over the keeper for 2-0 Moulton. An incredible start and hopefully with more to come. On 22 minutes a Moulton corner on the left was put over by Sophie T and in the ensuing melee Moulton won another corner this time on the right. Bugbrooke broke from the corner and good interpassing between numbers 7 and 8 saw number 7 hit a snapshot just past the post. On 29 minutes another Bugbrooke attack saw number 8 hit well wide. Just 5 minutes later number 8 again broke for Bugbrooke down the left, she cut in and hit a shot that saw Harriet dive and push round the post. A superb team passing move from Moulton saw the ball reach Kitty on the left. She held, held and held before laying the ball across to Stephanie in the middle and she shot first time hard and high into the roof of the net. 3-0 Moulton and it seemed surreal after Thursday night!
After 39 minutes Moulton's defence failed to clear a Bugbrooke attack and a challenge saw a Bugbrooke player fall in the box. A penalty was given and number 7 hammered the penalty straight down the middle to make it 3-1 Moulton. This seemed to liven Bugbrooke up and they tried to force the pace. 3 minutes before the interval Moulton pressed and Stepanie and Kitty interpassed before Kitty hit her shot high over the bar. Just on half time Kim went down following a shocking challenge that the referee failed to take further action for. Half Time 3-1 Moulton. The warm conditions could test Moulton in the 2nd half with such a small bench.
4 minutes into the second half and Bugbrooke's number 7 beat Moulton's defence for pace only to then hit high and wild over the bar. 54 minutes had gone when the ball found its way to Millie who took a touch before sliding a pass across to Kitty who hit the ball first time past the rooted keeper for 4-1 Moulton. An incredible score line but Bugbrooke were not finished yet. There was a midfield tussle on 65 minutes which saw Stephanie pull back a breaking Bugbrooke player. The referee immediately pulled out a yellow card. Bugbrooke were now working a tiring Moulton midfield and their number 4 was looking very lively. On 72 minutes she went down the right side and put over a wonderful cross to the far post where a player charged in and headed the ball down and up over the crossbar. After 73 minutes Wiki made a welcome return to midfield as a substitute and she was joined by Jess. Moulton held out until the 77th minute when a corner from the left wasnt cleared and Bugbrooke 4 poked the ball in to make it 4-2 Moulton. Almost full time and a tussle on left midfield saw Kitty Bring down a Bugbrooke player and again the referee pulled out a yellow card, this time for Kitty. 3 minutes into stoppage time saw Bugbrooke win a corner on the right. A very good corner came over hard to the near post area and a Bugbrooke player scored at the near post with a bullet header. 4-3 Moulton which flattered Bugbrooke somewhat. There was just time for the restart before the referee blew for full time and a well earned and much needed 3 points for Moulton Ladies. Difficult to pick a Player of the Match as all the Moulton players worked tirelessly for this win which was well deserved. Kitty, Millie, Callie and Stephanie supported by Sophies' T and G and all the Moulton defenders showed amazing fortitude to make the win possible. Especially following a late night after Moulton's Presentation evening on the Saturday night.
Many congratulations to Moulton Men's Team who on Saturday afternoon had won the knockout Cup against League winners Neneaton who had beaten them 4-0 and 5-0 in the League matches. A well deserved win by all accounts.