LIKELY LADS: Moulton Harrox FC are pictured (back, from left) – boss Nigel Steadman, Dan Woods, Phil Groves, captain Billy King, Jake Cawthorne, Matt Watkin, Lee Kenealy, Ashley Coddington, assistant boss Paul Crowson; front – Laurence Price, Joe Townsend, Josh McGuire, Marcus Parry, Ben Allen, Ian Bradbury and Daniel Lambe-Hyner. Photo by KEN SMITH

Coddington opener key as Moulton Harrox hit five to climb back up to second place

Number two Paul Crowson admitted that Moulton Harrox’s 5-0 victory at ChromaSport PDFL Premier Division strugglers Uppingham Town wasn’t as straightforward as the scoreline suggests.

It took an hour for Harrox to break down their hosts at Tod’s Piece, before Ashley Coddington’s header opened the floodgates.

Marcus Parry (2), Ben Allen and Dan Woods all notched after that to ensure Moulton took all three points for the 12th time from 17 games this season.

The victory elevates defending champions Harrox above rivals Pinchbeck United into second place in the table – and assistant boss Crowson was happy enough in the end.

He said: “No disrespect intended to Uppingham, but their pitch is a real leveller – you do expect better at PDFL Premier Division standard.

“Add that to them having 11 men behind the ball for the entirety and it was never going to be easy.

“You can see why they are struggling in the table. I didn’t really see any desire from them to try and win the game.

“At 0-0 with an hour gone, we did start to worry that it may just be one of those days.

BIG WIN: Harrox assistant boss Paul Crowson (left). Photo by KEN SMITH

“But, once Ash headed the opener, it was 3-0 within a matter of minutes.

“In truth, we probably could have scored a few more than five goals in the end. Seven or eight, maybe.

“Winning 5-0 is a good way to start 2017 and we remain focused on finishing as high as we can in the league this season.”

Moulton now turn their attention to the President Premier Shield, a competition they were runners-up in last season.

They visit Wisbech Town Reserves on Saturday (1.30pm) as they bid to go one better this time around, but will have to do without the suspended Joe Townsend.

“Wisbech away will be very difficult,” added Crowson. “They gave us a good game earlier in the season and we had to work hard to win 2-0.

“I’m expecting it to be just as difficult this time around. They’re much stronger at home and have made a few new signings – it’ll be tough.”

Harrox: Kenealy, Groves, Johnson, Coddington, McGuire, L Steadman, King, Cawthorne, Allen, Woods, Parry. Subs used: Bailey-Smith, Steadman. Not used: Bradbury.

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