Colliers Wood 2-1 Molesey - Official Match Report

By Andrew Finch

Tom Dilloway's own goal 15 minutes from time turned out to be the winner after Kristian Webb had cancelled out Dre Grobler's first half opener for the home side. Molesey had claims for what looked like a stonewall penalty turned down in stoppage time, although in truth the Moles didn't do enough to warrant a share of the spoils.

It was harsh on Dilloway, who along with Webb were Molesey's best performers on an evening when the fierce wind and hard pitch produced precious little in the way of flowing football, although the home side adapted to the conditions better and were good value for the three points.

Nine of Molesey's starting eleven had been involved in the Southern Combination Cup semi-final victory against Westfield just 48 hours previously, so some weariness could be forgiven against a side desperate for points to avoid finishing in the bottom three.

Mario Embalo had an effort saved by ex Colliers Wood keeper Wester Young in the early stages, before Eli Ogunseye slotted the ball past Young but the retreating Dilloway was able to clear off the line.

Molesey's best chance of opening the scoring appeared to come from the set pieces of Dilloway; Manny Quarshie should have done better than volley tamely wide after a Dilloway set piece had held up in the wind.

Webb's fierce volley cleared the bar by a couple of feet following another Dilloway corner had caused panic in the home box, but the action was mainly at the Molesey end, and it was no surprise when Colliers Wood took the lead ten minutes before the interval.

A free kick by the touchline just inside the Molesey half travelled all the way to Grobler at the far post. Without a Molesey player in sight Grobler slotted past Young first time to put Wood one up.

Molesey improved slightly after the break and drew level when Dilloway's corner was headed firmly past Dan Coles by Webb.

The game looked like petering out to a draw as it entered the final 15 minutes, but Molesey conceded the winning goal in the softest way imaginable when a cross from out wide was sliced into his own net by Dilloway from 8 yards out without an attacking player in sight.

Molesey pushed for an equaliser but didn't trouble Coles again. Ross Chalke fired over from a tight angle, before Webb, pushed up front for the final five minutes, was clearly tripped in the box going away from goal by Jordan Willis, but the ref ignored the pleas for a spot kick.

Insult was nearly added to injury seconds later when Willis launched an attack that resulted in Young saving with his feet from Troy Abbey, in what turned out to be the last action of the evening.

The win was Wood's sixth league victory in a row against the Moles and lifts them out of the bottom 3 with six games left to play.

Molesey host Raynes Park Vale and Epsom & Ewell over the next 6 days as they look to cement a top 8 finish.