The first half flew by as if I never saw a thing. I actually spent more than an hour scouring every inch of Croughton as that was the postcode I downloaded ready for the match. Eventually checked Heya (no signal at all in Croughton) and made my way to the main Brackley Town pitch actually in Brackley.
Arrived early 2nd half to find that Moulton were 1-0 ahead courtesy of Steph with an assist from Amelia.
Update: Molly had chipped a bone in the warm up and went to hospital for x-rays. Georgia who had just returned from injury, got injured again in the first half so we were missing her guile and pace to support Steph.
Early in the 2nd half a free kick was given some 35 yards out from goal on the left side. Brackley player hit a hard and high shot direct at goal, Harriet appeared deceived by the dip but a late dive palmed the ball out from goal, only to find 3 Brackley players following up and one of the scored with ease, 1-1.
Just about 7 minutes later Brackley won a corner on their right, the ball was swung over and a melee ensued in the box. The ball broke about 10 yards from goal where a Brackley player lifted the ball over the defenders into the far corner 2-1 Brackley. A super fast turnaround from what had been a close encounter with Moulton shading it.
On 65 minutes a Moulton break was stopped and Brackley broke and the shot was palmed away by Harriet in the Moulton goal.
73 minutes had gone when Moulton broke with Steph surrounded by Brackley defenders, she beat 2 of them and with the keeper advancing, she hit the ball past her with the outside of her foot to equalise and make it 2-2.
Soon after this, Steph was wiped out by a Brackley player but the referee didn't even give a free kick. Amelia was furious and the referee booked her and then gave her a 2nd booking and sent her off. More Moulton misfortune. Big lesson, only the Captain can talk to the referee or with some refs you may suffer the consequences.
With time running out it looked like we were in for a penalty shoot out but Brackley had other ideas. Anothe corner was won and again there was confusion in Moulton's defence. Harriet seemed to be impeded and dropped the ball for a Brackley player to smash into the net, 3-2 Brackley. No time for Moulton to reply and the match finished 3-2 to Brackley. A brave fight by the Moulton players but a second cup exit to Brackley this season. We meet again in 2 weeks in a league game. Player of the match awarded to Steph narrowly ahead of Charlotte.
All the players deserve great credit for the way they fought despite injuries and non availability of players. This is beginning to become serious and is spoiling what promised to be a very good season.