An important league match but team weakened by our injuries and a late call off by one of our most important players.
Match started with mostly a midfield tussle and very few chances created by either team. Referee, who had not inspired confidence right from the start, by losing his whistle and having to search for it and return to his car to find a spare which didnt appear to have a pea in that worked properly. He mentioned that he could not keep up with play and at times was off the pitch behind players taking throw ins. Very strange behaviour.
Both team played the match in a hard but fair manner and the players and Managers' of both team are to be commended for their behaviour in such an important match.
Brackley pressed on 40 minutes and broke down their right, a decent cross was put over from the right and this was partly cleared but fell to a Brackley player who hit it first time through players and it went into the far corner of the net for 1-0 Brackley. Moulton players appeared shocked that they had conceded and tried to gain some composure, however right on the half time whistle Brackley's number 20 won the ball and hit it first time high over the defenders and keeper and into the far corner for 2-0 Brackley. Half Time 2-0 Brackley. Harriet in the Moulton goal had made some decent saves in the first half with good safe handling.
Moulton tried to press at the start of the 2nd half but Brackley's defence stood firm and their keeper was rarely tested. Steph, up front for Moulton, did lots of tireless running but the service to her and Shannon was lacking for some reason. Possibly due to the pressure being exerted by Brackley's midfield.
The match then seemed to pale into insignificance. The referee had already taken a tumble earlier in the match, blaming a player for getting in his way despite noone being anywhere near him. Then with 10 minutes remaining he failed to penalise a late challenge by a Brackley player and then rushed to book the fouled Moulton player for some reason. During this confusion he again fell over and looked very distressed. After the initial amusement the players and officials became concerned for the health and safety of the referee and all rallied round to help him up. It was deemed that he was in no fit state to continue and the match was abandoned at the instigation of the Moulton Manager. A sad conclusion to what should have been a cracking contest. Questions should be asked as to why the referee had been appointed for such a crucial league encounter. Fortunately all the players played the match in the correct spirit of hard and fair and should be commended.
The league will have to decide if the result stands but on the day Brackley were the better team.
Still a lot of games to be played this season and Moulton must now all come together and focus on winning as many games as possible and putting on a good display in the County Cup this coming Sunday.
Player of the match was Harriet and well deserved.
Special mention to Steph for her workrate and to Cat for having a good game at the centre of the defence. Also to Calista and Kim for workrate throughout.