Uninspired Moles leave it too late

Chatham Town 3-2 Molesey

                                      Scored: Smith '14, '27 Finn '47    Moles: Findlay '87 Mepham '89

                                      The wettest and windiest day of the season so far greeted the Moles after the trip to Chatham this Saturday. But the weather wasn't to be the thing that upset supporters the most after a disappointing display that leaves Molesey rooted to the bottom and quickly falling away from the pack of other relegation battlers.

Molesey started the games action with a long distance effort from left-back Matt Jordan but John Whitehouse in Chathams goal was equal to the effort and was able to tip it round the post.

But after this Chatham dominated the game. In the 14th minute a loss of concentration by Moleseys Shane Franklin meant he sliced a seemingly easy clearance into his own box, Darren Smith was then on hand to thunder a shot past 'keeper Jon Ashwood before he had a chance to move.

Things were only set to get worse for the away side when just 13 minutes later another cross flew into the Molesey penalty box and again Darren Smith was on hand to fire the ball past Jon Ashwood and into the corner of the the goal.

Chatham then dominated the rest of the half, missing several good chances and really should have converted even more goals. But as it is, they didn't and Molesey were given a great chance to rectify the earlier problems. First Grant Keywood forced another good save after a long distance effort, then Luke Edghill had a shot brilliantly saved by Chathams 'keeper and no one was there for Molesey to convert the chance.

After half-time the same pattern of play continued and much to the frustration of the Molesey fans, Chathams Ross Finn was on hand to take advantage of an uncharacteristic Ashwood error and pushed the ball over the line to put Chatham 3-0 up.

Molesey made changes in formation and personnel but they proved too little, too late. Chatham succeeded in completely dominating the next 40 minutes of football.

Until the 87th minute. Molesey got over the half way line for only one of few forays into the opposition half, second half substitute Chico Kadzombe provided a low cross which was fired in by Jamie Findlay.

The travelling fans must have thought this was just a consolation goal, but 2 minutes later James Mepham hit a speculative 25 yard effort which managed to squirm underneath Whitehouse and made it a tense finale for the supporters who braved the weather.

But it wasn't to be for the Moles who just couldn't get any sort of hold on the game until it was too late

TEAM:            RATINGS:

1.Jon Ashwood     5

2. Shane Franklin  3

3. Matt Jordan      4

4. Jon Boswell      6

5. Doug Ford        6

6. Ben Beswick     6        > '45

7. Jamie Findlay    6

8. Anthony Gale    5        > '45

9. Julian Phillips    5       > '74

10. Luke Edghill    5

11. Grant Keywood 6

SUBS:

12. Andy Davidson             < '45

14. James Mepham         < '45

15. Paul Cross

16. Jason Haniff

17. Chico Kadzombe        < '74