This Tuesday I decided to head back into the United Counties League for my midweek game. I was tempted to visit GNG Oadby for the first time, but eventually I decided to make the shorter trip over to Northamptonshire for a very tasty looking clash between Moulton and March Town United. Both teams began the day in the top five, Moulton in fifth and March in second. A win for The Hares would take them above Nuneaton Town, into top spot. A win for the home side would put them level on points with March, albeit having played three extra games. This would be the first of three consecutive games, against the current top three, for Moulton. Following this evening's game they travel to Histon on Saturday before welcoming Nuneaton to Brunting Road on the 9th December.
The game promised to be a tight affair. Moulton had only lost once at home this season, 2-0 to Lutterworth Town, whilst a 3-1 defeat to Nuneaton was March's only reversal on their travels. When the teams met in The Fens last month, two goals in there second half minutes, from Florian Tsaguim and Daniel Emmington, edged out Moulton, who replied through Joshua Melling before succumbing by 2-1.
BotP last visited Brunting Road in August 2022, which was probably a lot warmer than this evening's weather. On that day the home side beat local rivals Rugby Borough 5-3 in a thoroughly entertaining Spartan South Midlands Division One game (Moulton Rock).
The game promised to be a tight affair. Moulton had only lost once at home this season, 2-0 to Lutterworth Town, whilst a 3-1 defeat to Nuneaton was March's only reversal on their travels. When the teams met in The Fens last month, two goals in there second half minutes, from Florian Tsaguim and Daniel Emmington, edged out Moulton, who replied through Joshua Melling before succumbing by 2-1.
BotP last visited Brunting Road in August 2022, which was probably a lot warmer than this evening's weather. On that day the home side beat local rivals Rugby Borough 5-3 in a thoroughly entertaining Spartan South Midlands Division One game (Moulton Rock).
Net issues Kick-off was slightly delayed when the assistant found an issue with the net at one end of the pitch. However, this was soon fixed and we were under way. The Hares, who had won their last seven in the league were probably being shaded slightly by their hosts in the opening 10 minutes. Whilst certainly not one-sided in any way, shape or form, it was Moulton who looking the livelier of the two teams. However, as so often happens, slightly against the run of play, it was March who took the lead. The telling point was the defence-splitting pass between full-back and centre-half, that set Ben Tait free on the right. His low, driven ball across the face of goal, was perfect for Rio Henson who had the relatively simple task of applying the finish from close range. 0-1.
The goal changed the balance of the game. Suddenly it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous and, three minutes after going in front, they came close to doubling their lead. Henson was again on the end of a quick break but, this time, Magpies goalkeeper Adam North was able to make a good stop.
The game continued apace. Both sides fizzing the ball around on the artificial surface, which obviously suits a passing style of play. Having been rocked by going behind, it took Moulton a good ten minutes to regain a foothold. Just past the midway point of the half they managed their first really effort on target when Vincenzo Falcini volleyed a bouncing ball goalward. However, he didn't quite catch the shot and it was a relatively simple save for Jonah Gill. Nevertheless, the opportunity served to galvanise the home side as they began to force March deeper. Just past the half-hour mark. captain Dan White rose at the far post to power a header goalward, only for it to be cleared off the line.
Moulton were getting closer, and they came within an inch or so of equalising in the 38th minute. Falcini fired across the face of goal. The shot was going wide until Matty Long got the faintest of touches, only for the ball to come back off the inside of the far post.
With time running out before the break, Moulton had to thank North again when he blocked a Toby Allen effort but then, with the clock ticking into the last minute of normal time, Moulton got back on level terms. March thought they had cleared the initial danger with a headed clearance but, as the ball bounced outside the box, Ed Odley stepped onto it, brilliantly controlling his first-time volley to send the ball flashing past Gill. 1-1
HT Moulton 1 March Town United 1. A thoroughly entertaining first half between two very good sides. The upper-hand passed between he teams but, overall, it was an even half. Two very different, but very well taken goals.
The goal changed the balance of the game. Suddenly it was the visitors who looked the more dangerous and, three minutes after going in front, they came close to doubling their lead. Henson was again on the end of a quick break but, this time, Magpies goalkeeper Adam North was able to make a good stop.
The game continued apace. Both sides fizzing the ball around on the artificial surface, which obviously suits a passing style of play. Having been rocked by going behind, it took Moulton a good ten minutes to regain a foothold. Just past the midway point of the half they managed their first really effort on target when Vincenzo Falcini volleyed a bouncing ball goalward. However, he didn't quite catch the shot and it was a relatively simple save for Jonah Gill. Nevertheless, the opportunity served to galvanise the home side as they began to force March deeper. Just past the half-hour mark. captain Dan White rose at the far post to power a header goalward, only for it to be cleared off the line.
Moulton were getting closer, and they came within an inch or so of equalising in the 38th minute. Falcini fired across the face of goal. The shot was going wide until Matty Long got the faintest of touches, only for the ball to come back off the inside of the far post.
With time running out before the break, Moulton had to thank North again when he blocked a Toby Allen effort but then, with the clock ticking into the last minute of normal time, Moulton got back on level terms. March thought they had cleared the initial danger with a headed clearance but, as the ball bounced outside the box, Ed Odley stepped onto it, brilliantly controlling his first-time volley to send the ball flashing past Gill. 1-1
HT Moulton 1 March Town United 1. A thoroughly entertaining first half between two very good sides. The upper-hand passed between he teams but, overall, it was an even half. Two very different, but very well taken goals.
March go close The second half was a different affair in many ways. Credit to both sets of coaching staff who had clearly identified where the danger was coming from and taken steps to nullify it. The end result was that, whilst both teams continued to play some great football, they cancelled each other out for much of the second period. The game was nonetheless interesting to watch, but there was much less in terms of goalmouth action.
Having said that, if not for Jonah Gill's athleticism, getting across his goal save Odley's 49th minute free-kick, at full-stretch, it may well have been a different game. As it was, both teams looked like their main objective was not to lose the game.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium and even half-chances were fairly rare. When they did come around, such as Lewis Isom's sight of goal in the 78th minute, they weren't taken. Both goalkeeper's made routine saves, but neither had to unduly stretch themselves.
FT Moulton 1 March Town United 1. Honours even and, over the 90 minutes, that's a fair result. Both teams had periods of dominance in the first half, but in the second they cancelled each other out, restricting opportunities at both ends. Two very good sides who will undoubtedly be there or thereabouts come May.
The result sees March miss out on top spot, but they are now in second, a point shy of Nuneaton Town. Moulton remain in fifth. They travel to third-placed Histon on Saturday. March, meanwhile, welcome seventh-placed Hinckley to Robingoodfellows Lane.
Check out the excellent match photos from Richard Eason Photography. There's even a few with yours truly in the background.
Moulton: North, Dicks, Osoimoejiokhian, Stevens, Melling, Odley, Falcini, Mensah, Long, White(c), Isom. Subs: Reza, Amaning, Kelly, Goodacre, Lagdon
March Town United: Gill, Francisco, Brumby, Hook, Emmington(c), King, Tsaguim, Foy, Allen, Tait, Henson. Subs: Hill-Seekings, Saunders, Cotton, Knowles
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 63
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £2.00
Having said that, if not for Jonah Gill's athleticism, getting across his goal save Odley's 49th minute free-kick, at full-stretch, it may well have been a different game. As it was, both teams looked like their main objective was not to lose the game.
Clear-cut chances were at a premium and even half-chances were fairly rare. When they did come around, such as Lewis Isom's sight of goal in the 78th minute, they weren't taken. Both goalkeeper's made routine saves, but neither had to unduly stretch themselves.
FT Moulton 1 March Town United 1. Honours even and, over the 90 minutes, that's a fair result. Both teams had periods of dominance in the first half, but in the second they cancelled each other out, restricting opportunities at both ends. Two very good sides who will undoubtedly be there or thereabouts come May.
The result sees March miss out on top spot, but they are now in second, a point shy of Nuneaton Town. Moulton remain in fifth. They travel to third-placed Histon on Saturday. March, meanwhile, welcome seventh-placed Hinckley to Robingoodfellows Lane.
Check out the excellent match photos from Richard Eason Photography. There's even a few with yours truly in the background.
Moulton: North, Dicks, Osoimoejiokhian, Stevens, Melling, Odley, Falcini, Mensah, Long, White(c), Isom. Subs: Reza, Amaning, Kelly, Goodacre, Lagdon
March Town United: Gill, Francisco, Brumby, Hook, Emmington(c), King, Tsaguim, Foy, Allen, Tait, Henson. Subs: Hill-Seekings, Saunders, Cotton, Knowles
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 63
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: £2.00
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