Report By Andrew Finch

The fixture brought about the two most recent champions of the Combined Counties Premier Division, but it was the class of 2014 that triumphed.

Had the game kicked off at 3:22pm and the two goals apiece the sides shared from then on earnt them both a draw, then it probably would have been a fair result.

However, following an absolute train wreck of an opening 21 minutes the Moles were kicking off at 3:22pm for the fifth time of the afternoon having conceded an unassailable four goals in that time.

The Moles undeniably fell way below the high standards they’ve set themselves over the past couple of seasons, but the hosts played a part in their destruction.

South Park were excellent during those opening exchanges. They attacked in numbers with pace and purpose, moved the ball swiftly and were far hungrier all over the pitch than the lacklustre Moles.

The unavailability of Ollie Robinson and Stafforde Palmer certainly didn’t help. A full debut was given to Connor French, whose hold up and link play were both impressive, although he appeared a little short of match practice.

South Park had fired a very early warning shot across the Molesey bows in the opening moments when Dean Lovegrove sent a rasping volley just over the bar.

It was a warning that was not heeded, as only a couple of minutes later a long throw from Jack Stafford saw Asa Rixon-Nicholls beat Liam Allen in the air to nod the hosts in front.

James McShane dragged an effort wide of the South Park far post, but it got worse before ten minutes were on the clock when another Stafford throw caused panic, several opportunities were missed to clear the ball, and Kofi Quarty volleyed an effort past Allen with the aid of a deflection.

James McElligott was next on the scoresheet. After Allen had saved well from Kieran Lavery, the Moles again missed chances to clear and the ball was worked to McElligott 25 yards from goal to fire a terrific volley into the top corner.

The Sparks looked like they were going to score every time they went forward. And invariably they did. Goal number four was quite possibly the softest of the lot as Allen failed to claim a routine cross and Lavery stabbed home the loose ball.

The Moles finally woke from their slumber, and a neatly worked free-kick involving McShane and Craig Lewington resulted in Ross Chalke stabbing home, but the celebrations were cut short by a linesman’s flag.

However, they were given a tiny glimmer of hope soon after when the ref harshly adjudged Lovegrove had impeded French inside the box. McShane smashed home the penalty via the underside of the bar.

French was bundled over again the box – this one looked far more clear cut – but the ref waved away the appeals for a second penalty as the Moles finished the half on top.

It was a theme that continued into the start of the second period, and had they added a second during the opening exchanges it would have made the remaining half hour plus a tantalising prospect.

And they had their chances. McShane had an effort headed off the line before drawing a routine save from ex Mole James Wastell.

Charlie Samuels hit a volley just over the bar, but the understandable need to commit men forward inevitably left gaps at the back, and this was exposed when the ball fell fortuitously to Kwarty to bear down on Allen and steer an effort beyond him for his second of the afternoon.

Substitute Reis Stanislaus’ 25 yard free kick took a wicked deflection, and time seemed to stand still as it trickled goalwards and eventually came back off the post. The alert Dre Grobler was on hand to stab in the rebound and reduce the deficit once more.

Molesey contined to huff and puff. Tom Windsor and Ato Okai both failed to hit the target when in promising positions, but the final word went to Kwarty, who completed his hat-trick from close range following more good work down the right by Lavery.

With play-off chasing opponents coming Molesey’s way thick and fast as the season rumbles to a close, they’ll have to get over this disappointment pretty quickly. They have the perfect opportunity to do so when Hastings visit Walton Road on Tuesday evening.
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