Patterson pleased as Moulton Harrox pass a stern test to start with a victory

Louis Steadman’s late screamer earned Moulton Harrox a hard-fought 2-1 win at Uppingham Town in their first ChromaSport PDFL Premier Division game of the season on Saturday.

In a game assistant boss Bobby Patterson described as “the hardest start possible”, Moulton found themselves behind early on – only for Billy King to level with a penalty on the stroke of half time.

That’s how it stayed until the latter stages, when a home player saw red for pushing King.

Harrox made their numerical advantage count and duly grabbed a winner when Steadman lashed home from outside the box with ten minutes to play.

Next up for the title hopefuls is another away game at promoted side Cardea on Saturday (2pm).

Patterson said: “You could really tell they had played a few competitive games.

“In the first half we were second best and I thought they looked very, very good.

“But the penalty gave us reason to be positive at half time and we looked much better after the break. Their red card was silly and we punished them, Louis’ goal was smashed in.

“Overall it’s a great win for us given how good they looked.

“We now move on to Cardea. We know they have a dangerman up front and must approach the game in the right way if we want to win again.”

Harrox: Dickinson, Clay, Morgan, Johnson, Casey, Kisla, Steadman, King, Bradbury, Parry, Townsend. Subs used: Law, Lyon.