A late Matt Watkin cracker earned Moulton Harrox a hard-fought victory at Stanground Sports on Saturday as they made it four wins from as many ChromaSport PDFL Premier Division games.
Putting in a performance described as “workmanlike” by assistant boss Paul Crowson, Harrox needed 70 minutes to break their hosts down at Yaxley’s In2itive Park.
The introduction of the pacy Marcus Parry made the difference, as he and Ian Bradbury combined to tee-up defender Watkin – who lashed the only goal of the game into the top corner.
Harrox keeper Wayne Wilding pulled off two key saves early in the second period, but other than that Crowson felt Harrox were rarely troubled.
“It wasn’t the best of games,” admitted the experienced number two. “It wasn’t helped by the referee, either.
“I got the impression that Stanground were happy to sit back and take a point, so it was a bit of a struggle in the first half.
“Wayne Wilding then made two really good saves early in the second period, which seemed to kick us up the backside a little bit.
“Things changed for the better when Marcus Parry came on, as he ran at them late in the game.
“It was from one of those attacks that we got the winner.
“I suppose it’s one of those games that we will look back on and think it was a very good three points, as we didn’t play all that well.
“It was workmanlike at best, but getting the win is all that really matters.”
The chief negative for Moulton was a hamstring injury picked up by key defender Ash Coddington.
He is expected to miss the next few weeks and joins an injury list that already includes the likes of Ainsley Johnson and Joe Townsend.
Harrox: Wilding, Groves, Relf, Patterson, Coddington, Watkin, L Steadman, Cawthorne, Mason, Woods, Bradbury. Subs used: McGuire, Parry.
- Moulton’s flawless start to the PDFL Premier Division season ended with a 2-2 home draw against Leverington Sports on Tuesday night.
Watkin and Jake Cawthorne grabbed the Harrox goals.
