Lge (H)
Won 2-1
(H/T 1-1)
Moulton entertained Oadby Town in their first ever game in the United Counties Premier South Division but were missing defenders Dante Grey and Ben Boateng through injury and had Lewis Isom un-available, but included Joel Machakaire making his first start for over 18 months. The Magpies started on top and new signing Will Russell had the first chance but Adam Binks parried his shot and Nat Ansu just failed to reach the loose ball before the keeper recovered. Ansu did have a really good opening soon after when he charged down a clearance and bore down on goal but sadly dragged his shot wide of the target with only the keeper to beat. The home side continued to dominate and Andy Hall and Ansu combined to set Russell away but once again Binks saved. Oadby had their first real chance after 28 minutes but Adam North in the home goal saved with ease but 6 minutes later he was beaten with a piece of individual skill . Mario Mendez cut in from the left and curled a shot into the top corner from 18 yards to give the visitors the lead against the run of play. Moulton continued to create chances Matty Long set up Ansu but again Binks saved and then Francis Boateng headed wide from a Russell corner and just when it looked likely the Magpies would go in behind they grabbed a deserved equaliser a minute into first half injury time. Machakaire set Ansu away on the left and he outstripped a defender before crossing to the far post where LONG converted.
HALF TIME MOUTON 1 OADBY TOWN 1
The visitors changed tactics in the second half preferring to knock the ball around at the back rather than being more direct and that saw them on top with Stanley Mugisha in particular coming short and being very influential in most of their build up play but despite this they had little cutting edge up front. With 15 minutes of the half gone and not for the first time in the game Russell found himself away on the left but he overran the ball with Ansu free in the middle, however not long after the two players combined to put the home side ahead. Once again Russell got free and bore down on goal but stumbled as he was about to shoot, somehow he recovered his feet and crossed to ANSU who was completely free in the 6 yard box and he converted with ease, this seemed to knock the stuffing out of the visitors and Long could have added a third with 7 minutes to go but blazed over. A hard fought win in the end and a score that didn’t reflect the chances created but for the watching faithful a good start to life in step 5
FINAL SCORE MOULTON 2 OADBY TOWN 1
TEAM…North, Dye, (Dicks 67), Machakaire, F Boateng ,Osiomoejiokhian, Hall, (Jarrold 64) Mensah, White, Long, Ansu (Amaning 82) Russell
SUBS UNUSED N,Golo Okoye
ATTENDANCE 102 PRESSBOX MAN OF THE MATCH Joel Machakaire

Editor - Steve Allibone