Moleseys miserable start to the season continued on Saturday as they were convincingly beaten 5-0 by fellow strugglers Chipstead at High Road, a result which leaves the Moles three points adrift at the bottom of the table with a goal difference of minus 22.
Boss Steve Webb had set his side a target of 7 points from 3 games before the Cray Wanderers match seven days previously, and although, once again, they showed signs of promise in the first half, must have been disappointed with his teams second half performance as the home side recorded their second win in four days to lift themselves out of the relegation zone.
It is an alarming statistic that in the opening 8 games of the season the Moles have scored four first half goals and conceded seven, whilst after the break they have hit the net just once and conceded TWENTY times. Whether this is down to concentration, fitness, tactics or other issues, it will no doubt be something Webb and assistant Pete Lelliott will be working hard to address in the coming weeks.
The opening stages were scrappy, and after long range efforts from Chipsteads Aaron Cole-Bolt and Moleseys Chris Wales were comfortably saved, the Moles enjoyed plenty of possession, and had chances to take the lead before two goals in the space of 90 seconds shortly before half time ultimately cost them any chance of taking anything from the game.
Matt Ottley had a header plucked out of the air by Parkinson in the home goal, before Wales shot narrowly over from close range following good build up play on the left between Edgehill and Julian Phillips.
An even better chance fell the way of the away side three minutes later when Phillips again got behind the home defence and cut the ball back for Beswick 8 yards out. The young midfielder would have no doubt preferred the ball rolled along the ground, however, he received the pull back at knee height and his side foot volley went sailing over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
The home side then had chances of their own, with Jon Ashwood saving well from Lee Granville, before the same player shot over with team mates better placed.
Youssef Metwali then had to be alert to clear an effort from Oakins off the line, before the first goal arrived in the 39th minute.
A Molesey free kick 30 yards out was saved by Parkinson, who launched a quick counter attack, Granville adding the finishing touch to a slick passing move for his first goal for Chipstead.
Shortly afterwards it was two, a completely unmarked Fred Fleming heading home a free kick at the far post. Coleman had a chance to make it three moments before half time, but his effort was saved at the near post by Ashwood.
As was the case against Corinthian Casuals in midweek, the Moles didn't perform in the second half, and within two minutes of the restart it was three. Danny Oakins picking up a speculative punt up field on the half way line without a defender within twenty yards of him, and he ran through to slot comfortably beyond Ashwood.
More poor defending made it 4-0 ten minutes later when Craig Pitterson got the wrong side of Phil Caughter too easily and slotted home.
The closest Molesey came to getting on the score sheet was Phillips heading well wide from a corner after an hour, and the same player, who got little change out of Fleming and Andrew Wareing all afternoon, blazing over from the edge of the box ten minutes later.
Chris Head rounded off the scoring five minutes from time, the left back popping up in the right wing position to slot home from close range, whilst Cole-Bolt nearly got the goal his performance deserved, hitting the post from a tight angle in the last minute.
The body language of the Molesey players after the final whistle told it's own story, with the players clearly needing a lift before the welcome distraction of an away trip to Leighton Town in the FA Trophy next Saturday, which will be followed seven days later with Clive Walkers big spending but inconsistent Ashford Town coming to Walton Road.
1) Jon Ashwood
2) Steven Lang
3) Phil Caughter (C)
4) Jon Boswell
5) Matt Ottley >53 minutes
6) Youssef Metwali
7) Sam Lampard
8) Ben Beswick
9) Julian Phillips
10) Chris Wales
11) Luke Edgehill
Subs
12) Mark Longley <53 minutes
14) Keiran Crichlow
15) Freddie Myers
16) Richard Brightwell
17) Chico Kadzombe