Matt Baxter's masterclass in forward play helped Molesey to a thumping 5-2 victory over Mole Valley SCR.

Baxter was at his rampaging best on an evening when he scored four goals and gave the Mole Valley defence a torrid time with his power and work-rate.

Although Baxter will deservedly take the plaudits, the turning point of the game occurred five minutes after the re-start when Wester Young's breathtaking save from Danny Clayton prevented Mole Valley going 3-1 up. Within eight minutes of the save the Moles were in front and never looked back.

The visitors had the better of the opening period and deservedly went in at the break 2-1 in front after Phil Page's expertly taken brace had cancelled out Baxter's early wonder strike. After Young pulled off as good a save as you're likely to see by reacting to turn Clayton's point blank shot away, Baxter pounced on a mistake by Ben Hill to level the scores before Tom Windsor gave Molesey the lead.

Baxter completed his hat-trick through strength and perseverance, and his fierce volley into the top corner in the closing stages put the gloss on the win.

Adam Roberts made way for Baxter in the only change to the side that narrowly beat Horley on the weekend, and the Moles were given an early let off when the ref harshly gave handball against a MV player that prevented Page a clear run on goal.

Six minutes were on the clock when Baxter opened the scoring in Beckham-like style. MV keeper Leigh Bowden rushed out of his area to cut out a through ball but instead of clearing his lines played it short to Arnold Okrior. Chan Quan was able to get his foot in and dispossess the MV winger, and the ball fell to Baxter five yards in the MV half by the touchline and he lofted the ball over the back-peddling Bowden to give the Moles the lead.

The visitors hit back strongly and were level when Page got on the end of Liam Holden's flick on, and despite Aaron Stephens shepherding him away from goal Page hit a rasping first time shot beyond Young and in off the far post.

Molesey's narrow midfield meant that Stephens was often left two on one, with left back Hill regularly providing Okrior with attacking support. The two combined with Page to put Okrior through on goal, and he was unfortunate to see his effort clip the outside of the post after he'd rounded Young.

The visitors continued to cause problems, with Holden impressing in the hole behind Page and Okrior and Richie Smith providing width on either flank. They took the lead when a corner partially broke down and Stephens was once again left isolated as Hill whipped in another dangerous cross. The Moles defence were sleeping as Page hit a first time volley past Young into the bottom corner.

Molesey tried to respond but lacked a cutting edge in the final third. Baxter shot high and wide whilst Marvell hit an effort straight at Bowden when a pass to the overlapping Quan would have been a better option. Windsor's rampaging run from the touchline into the penalty area deserved better than to just clear the far post.

MV started the second half strongly and the move that led to Young's save again emanated down the Molesey right, as Page got in behind Stephens and cut the ball back for the onrushing Clayton, whose crisp first time effort seemed destined for the back of the net but Young reacted superbly to turn the ball away.

Within three minutes Marvell hounded Hill into an error, as the left back's backpass fell short and Baxter was in to take the ball round Bowden and expertly steer the ball goalwards on the run from an unfavourable angle.

The Moles had the bit between their teeth and regained the lead when Marvell's deep cross was retrieved by Quan on the opposite wing, who did superbly to turn two defenders and cross dangerously into the six yard box for Windsor to touch home.

Baxter had an opportunity for the hat-trick but miscued harmlessly wide having been played in by Quan.

Despite the withdrawal of the dangerous Okrior, MV continued to be a threat going forward, however, they were committing defensive suicide, and another poor backpass let in Baxter for his hat-trick. Again, Bowden came off his line but got nowhere near man or ball. Baxter rounded him, and although Hill got his body in front and looked favourite to clear the ball, Baxter slid in and the ball trickled into the net.

A terrific last ditch tackle by Luke Elliott prevented Holden a clear shot at goal, before Bowden produced a great save to tip Baxter's shot around the post.

More careless defending was punished by Baxter for his fourth of the evening when a pass across the penalty area by a MV defender was cut out by his first touch, and his second was a thunderous volley into the top corner for what would be a goal of the season contender but was probably third best goal of the evening.

Molesey move up to eighth. Baxter moves to eleven goals in eleven games, the Moles' win column now outnumbers the defeats for the first time this season and their goal difference is now in credit. They now take a break from league action for upcoming cup games at division one sides Worcester Park and Cobham.