Leatherhead 1-0 Molesey - Official Match report

Leroy Griffiths' goal midway through the first half was all that separated the sides in a game that the Moles dominated for long periods, but as has regularly been the case over the past month or so they lacked either luck or composure in front of goal.

The result means that the Moles have now drawn a blank in four of their last nine games in all competitions. However, the fact that they have scored 18 in the other five demonstrates that there's goals in the team and illustrates the need to take their chances, particularly early in the game in order to settle any nerves.

Molesey went in to the game missing THREE keepers, meaning a debut for youth team prospect Jay Jerrard. He was blameless for the goal and pulled off a decent save in each half, but was largely untroubled by an ordinary looking Leatherhead side who topped the Ryman League Division One South as recently as last week.

By Andrew Finch

On a terrific if slightly bobbly pitch that was a credit to the Leatherhead groundstaff the opening exchanges were fairly quiet, with Jerrard tipping an effort from Mohamed Eisa over the bar, and James McShane sending a free kick on to the top of the net.

As was the case against Epsom & Ewell ten days ago, an effort from Ross Chalke that kissed the bar on the way over was to prove costly, as within thirty second the opposition went up the other end and scored.

Tom Windsor and Craig Lewington both fought for a loose ball in midfield that was played through to ex QPR forward Griffiths, who dinked an effort over Jerrard into the net.

Ashby Charles only made his first team debut in the Southern Combination Cup at Ash last Tuesday but his pace and direct running caused the host problems all night, and his dangerous cross was turned over the bar by a home defender, who did well to avoid putting through his own net.

Molesey started the second half strongly but the flow of the game was disrupted by a delay that bordered on the farcical ten minutes in for the officials to do the necessary formalities on the Leatherhead half-time substitution. However, other than booking Chalke for his first offence and letting other players off with countless misdemeanours the ref had a decent enough game.

Another dangerous cross from Charles was inches away from the onrushing Chalke at the far post, who then drew a great save from Deren Ibrahim with a free header from McShane’s corner.

Charles again got in behind the home defence from McShane's clever pass and picked out Marvell ten yards from goal, but with the ball screaming to be hit first time he took too many chances and allowed defenders to block his effort.

Leatherhead substitute Elie Kayembe's first contribution was to play a defence splitting pass between his goalkeeper and centre halves, Michael Essien style, which ended up falling very kindly for Marvell. But with Ibrahim in no-man's land Marvell's attempted lob from the edge of the box lacked the required height and landed weakly in Ibrahim's grateful arms.

Jarrard made a good save at his near post during a rare foray into Molesey territory by the hosts, but as the clock ticked down the Moles piled on the pressure, forcing a number of corner and free-kicks in promising positions.

McShane had a couple of efforts that cleared the bar but the hosts held on to set up a trip to Camberley Town in the next round.