Molesey 2-1 Whyteleafe

Substitute Connor French’s first goal for the club fifteen minutes from time turned out to be the winner, after Leafe’s John Scarborough had cancelled out Joe Nwokos opener.

There were home debuts for new centre half pairing Antonio Simeone and Adriano Moreas, and the ex Carshalton and Tooting & Mitcham pair added some experience, steel and knowhow to the Moles back four.

Leafe shaded the opening stages without creating anything, but it was the home side that opened the scoring, when Joe Nwoko’s cross inside quarter of an hour went straight in.

Marcel Dennis nearly doubled that lead after sliding past Ben Bridle-Card but seeing Scarborough clear, whilst at the other end Scott Day fired across goal.

Shawn Clement-Peter’s challenge on Craig Lewington 30 yards from goal resulted in the ball just missing the top corner by a matter of inches, before Nwoko fired high and wide when well placed.

The second half was an onslaught of Whyteleafe pressure. Allen hadn’t been overly troubled, but it came as no real surprise when Scarborough bundled home Sam Clayton’s deep free kick to put Leafe back on level terms.

It was a game of fine margins, and Allen made a crucial stop shortly after Scarborough’s goal, spectacularly tipping Clayton’s fierce drive over the bar.
His quick feet meant that he was easily able to gather Eddie D’Sane’s attempted chip two minutes later.

French entered the fray and made an immediate impact, touching home another Nwoko cross to restore the Moles’ lead. He lead the line extremely well and played in his part in running down the clock in the closing stages.

Whyteleafe piled on the pressure as the minutes ticked by, and nearly got what they would have considered a deserved equaliser from Day’s header, but Sam Charles was in the right place at the right time to head off the line.

The victory continues the Moles’ fine run of form at Walton Road, with just a solitary league defeat on home soil all season.

A few more points on the road wouldn’t go amiss in order to continue putting distance between themselves and the bottom 3, and there is a very presentable opportunity to do just that with a trip to fellow strugglers East Grinstead next Saturday