Molesy 1-3 Woking

Molesey exited the Surrey Senior Cup at the Quarter Final stage following a battling defeat against National League neighbours Woking.

In a tight and often feisty encounter the difference between the sides ultimately proved to be a player widely tipped to be playing league football next season in John Goddard, plus an extremely debatable penalty decision.

Goddard’s two goals were sandwiched in between Charlie Samuels’s first goal for the Moles, before Shaun Jeffers eventually made the game safe with virtually the final kick of the game.

Although not full strength, Woking named a strong line up, and their desire to do well in this competition would have increased since the draw was made owing to their indifferent recent league form and FA Trophy exit on the weekend.

The Moles would have been haunted by their previous encounter against National League opposition, when a nightmare opening twelve minutes saw them concede three times against National League South leaders Ebbsfleet in the FA Trophy in November.

It was no doubt with that in mind that rather than go toe-to-toe against their opponents, 69 places above them in the league pyramid, they kept it tight during the opening period, limiting the Cards to just one clear-cut chance that Goddard thumped against the post from a tight angle. Jeffers was unable to turn in the rebound.

James McShane is to Molesey what Goddard is to Woking, and despite being on the periphery stuck out on the right wing, played in Reis Stanislaus for the Moles’ only sniff at goal in the opening 45 minutes, but Stanislaus was crowded out by Woking defenders.

A mix up at the back allowed Goddard to open the scoring five minutes after the re-start, as the otherwise impressive Robb Sheridan headed weakly away despite Liam Allen set to gather a through ball on the edge of the box. Goddard finished first time from 25 yards.

The lead was short-lived, as the Moles broke from a Woking corner, and Craig Lewington and Ross Chalke combined to set up Samuels to smash a terrific first time volley beyond Nick Hamann.

The wild celebrations were in stark contrast to Woking’s almost apologetic celebrations for the opening goal, and the momentum was now with the Moles, with Ollie Robinson firing just wide from a corner.

Jeffers had an opportunity to put the Cards back in front, but his poorly executed chip was easily kept out by Allen.

However, he was involved in the game’s most controversial moment, when he tangled with Robinson in the box and went to ground spectacularly easily. The ref pointed to the spot, and Goddard converted via the underside of the bar.

The game continued to ebb and flow, with Goddard firing wastefully wide when through on goal, whilst McShane and Stafforde Palmer had efforts at Hamann’s goal.

Substitute Ashby Charles’s pace caused concern for the visitors, and he very nearly took advantage of confusion between Hamann and Chris Arthur to nip in and convert Lewington’s through ball, but the chance was eventually snuffed out.

There was further controversy as the clock struck 90 minutes, as Dre Grobler’s shot appeared to be blocked by a stray Woking arm, but the ref waved away the vociferous appeals for the penalty.

It was to prove telling, as Joe Quigley charged down Allen’s attempted clearance deep into stoppage time and squared for Jeffers to tap home to finally make the game safe.

The Moles resume their quest for a top five spot on the weekend when they welcome Three Bridges to Walton Road.