DOUBLE: Joe Townsend scored twice for Moulton Harrox. Photo by KEN SMITH

Five-star Moulton Harrox up to second place as Townsend double inspires comeback

In-form Moulton Harrox shrugged off a disappointing first half to beat hosts Stilton United 5-1 in the ChromaSport PDFL Premier Division on Saturday.

A shock looked to be on the cards when Liam Rodden fired the home side ahead at In2itive Park, but Joe Townsend’s excellent header from Dan Woods’ cross made it 1-1 at the break.

The second half was a different story, though, with Townsend’s second for Harrox soon followed by a Marcus Parry effort.

With Stilton then forced to chase the game, Andy Law put Nigel Steadman’s charges 4-1 up, before Jake Cawthorne scored the goal of the game with a stunner into the top corner to round off the scoring.

The victory, a fourth on the trot in the league, moves Moulton up to second in the table.

Assistant boss Paul Crowson said: “There’s no two ways about it, we were awful in the first half. No disrespect intended, but Stilton just put 11 men behind the ball and it was a case of ‘break us down if you can’ really.

“They went 1-0 up from their only shot all game – but thankfully Joe Townsend got us level right before half time, which changed things. Once we got ahead they had to come out and attack, which made life much easier for us.

“Overall, it’s another pleasing win for us. All we can do is carry on winning, we still have an outside chance of winning the title if the top two slip up.”

Crowson, meanwhile, was very impressed with two Harrox debutants.

Keeper Mark King, signed as an emergency from Blackstones (Oundle Town also held his PDFL registration) and midfielder Jamie Francis, who has switched from South Holland rivals Pinchbeck

United, both received glowing references from the number two.

“I thought Jamie did fantastically well. He just wants to play football – and we can offer him that. I was very impressed with him. I’m also thankful to Mark for helping us out. He stepped in and was excellent when called upon.”

Moulton visit Sawtry this Saturday (2pm).

Harrox: King, Bailey-Smith, Groves, Coddington, Watkin, McGuire, King, Cawthorne, Townsend, Woods, Parry. Subs used: D Cairns, Francis, Law.

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