Match 12. Molesey v Harlow Town

Saturday 14^th November 2015 @3pm

FA Trophy 2^nd Qualifying Round

MOLESEY 4-3 HARLOW TOWN

412 Walton Road, West Molesey, KT8 2JG

Admission: £8

Programme: £2 (36pp)

Attendance: 94

Refreshments: Bacon Roll, £2. Cheese Roll, £1.20. Chicken Cup-a-soup, £1.  Curly Wurly, 70p. Mini Cheddars, 60p, Golden Wonder crisps, 60p

Decided not to travel for a new tick and plumped for a first revisit to Molesey since 1993, with Sutton Common Rovers at Gangrene Lane as the 3G back up, in case the wet weather won in Molesey. Luckily the match was on thanks to the common sense from the match referee.  The touchline had visible small puddles but although the playing surface was very wet and it rained for the first hour of the match, the ball still offered a decent bounce and the referee officiated with common sense.

The only detail I recalled from the first visit was an elevated seating area as part of the main stand. Thankfully it’s still there although I think the clubhouse building and dressing rooms located behind are a new addition since my last visit?  The dugouts are in front of this seated stand and the snack bar is also at the ground level.  A small covered standing area is available behind each goal and along a part of the far touchline.

I was treated to the best match I’ve seen so far this season.  Harlow came out at the start determined to control the match and went in front after just 4 minutes.  The first corner of the match was crossed into the danger area and Small headed in strongly from 6 yards.  The half continued with Harlow on top. The keeper received a yellow card for charging out of his area and bringing down the attacker.   There was a couple of last ditch tackles by the Molesey defence before Harlow doubled their lead. A free kick was awarded 30 yards out and was swung into the area where a slight flick on was enough to fool the defender Elliot, who simply volleyed it into the net for an own goal.  Molesey got straight back into the match when Palmer received the ball on half way, recovered from 2 heavy tackles, laid off the ball and received it back on the edge of the box where he drove it passed the diving keeper.

Harlow regained a 2 goal advantage before the hour mark when Eadie crossed in from the left side and the bearded Fisher tapped in from close range. With 30 minutes still to play, Molesey began to step up the pressure on their visitors and gained hope for a draw with 13 minutes left when McShane reduced the score to 2-3. Then, with just 5 minutes left a great through ball found Palmer who slotted in the equaliser to the cheers of the home crowd.  Then, amazingly, Molesey carried on their offensive spell and snatched the winner on 90^th minute when a cross from McShane found Stanislaus in space where he slammed home to gain a slot in the next round of the FA Trophy.