Barring the flight to Guernsey, the Moles trip to Aylesbury (Also the Moles!!) in the opening round of this year's FA Trophy was one of our longest trips. Aylesbury sat 17th in the Southern League Division One Central, and after a run of six defeats, had picked up two wins in their last three games. Molesey went into the game on the back of a 4-2 home win over East Grinstead Town and were looking to continue winning ways. Ross Chalke was named as the danger man on Aylesbury's website, and would be looking to add to his four goals this season already.
After a hectic bus journey, to and fro on the M25, the boys arrived at Aylesbury's Haywood Way, an hour late but in good spirits nonetheless. With a lack of fulll preparation time it probably came as no surprise, that their was a sluggish start. A makeshift back three comprising of Dre Grobler, Antonio Simeone and the young Taylor Roles initially struggled with the pace of the Aylesbury front three of Ty Deacon, Jeanmal Prosper and Shayne Almond. In particular Almond, who was causing problems on the left wing, with his pace and trickery. The link up play between him and Deacon created early half chances that were dragged just wide of the the Molesey goal. Another further effort from Prosper, and the inevitable pressure told. On seventeen minutes, a cross from the right from Prosper found the unmarked Deacon who slotted the ball past Molesey keeper Liam Allen, to give Aylesbury a deserved lead. This opening goal only served to continue the pressure being served upon the Moles by the home side, and following further good work by Prosper on the left, he found Almond in the box, who under pressure from Craig Lewington played the ball onto Deacon who only had Allen to beat. Allen made himself big and pulled off a great save to prevent Aylesbury's Moles from doubling their lead. Molesey were struggling to use Chalke and Tom Windsor in the midfield to relieve the pressure and it wasn't long before Aylesbury did deservedly double the advantage, in perhaps somewhat fortunate circumstances. Deacon picked the ball up on the right hand side of the box and knocked it beyond Grobler, before floating a cross comes hot that looped over Allen and into the far top corner of the net. 2-0, and it was no more than Aylesbury deserved. Following the second goal, Molesey did improve slightly, using the strength of front two Manny Quarshie and Olu Akinsanya to hold the ball up and give the defence a much needed rest. Just before half time and the match was almost beyond the Moles. A free kick from the left was whipped in by Almond, Simeone missed the header and Allen fumbled, before Simeone recovered well, hacking the ball upfield. The referee brought the game to a close for the break.
Molesey had to improve, and improve they did in the second half. Chalke, who was carrying a slight muscle pull, was replaced by Ashby Charles, and his pace down the right flank, along with Ashley Lodge's down the left really started to give the Moles an outlet for some creativity. On fifty minutes Lodge cut in from the left, playing the ball inside to Simeone, and he hit a solid thirty yard drive that just cleared the crossbar. Josh Andrew was also looking lively, driving from the wings, into central positions, creating further space for Lodge and Charles to create opportunities for crosses. It was one from of these openings that the Moles got back into the game. Charles beat Criag Carby on the right wing before playing a ball into the box to the feet of Akinsanya. He used used get strength to turn Anthony Ball, who in turn clipped down, giving away the penalty. Simeone stepped up, smashing the ball in with his left foot into the bottom right corner and sending Ashley Jenkins the wrong way. Barely ten minutes later and the Moles were level. Akinsanya who had been mightily impressive with his hold up and linking play was the scorer. Again it was Charles who found him in the box, playing a neat pass inside Davis Haule. Akinsanya turned Ben Stevens well before lashing the ball into the roof of the net for the equaliser. The turn around seemed to reinvigorate the Moles, and this was reflected in an overzealous challenge by Windsor that resulted in the first yellow card of the game. However, juust as it looked as the tide was turning, poor defending cost us again as a corner from the left for Aylesbury, bounced around in th box, before finding Prosper, who slammed the ball past Allen to give Aylesbury's Moles the lead once again. The two goal advantage was restored a couple of minutes later. Prosper was again involved, taking the ball round Allen, before cutting it back to Almond who smashed the ball into the roof of the net to make it 4-2. With fifteen minutes remaining, and it was beginning to look bleak for the away side. However there was a spirited response from the Moles. Grobler was replaced by James King, before Simeone received a yellow card for a block on Deacon. Aylesbury made their first change with Aston Goss replacing Brian Haule. Andrew then a hit a long bouncing effort from twenty yards taht was well collected by Jenkins in the Aylesbury goal. The Moles made their final change with Tayo Oyebola replacing the hard working Quarshie with just a couple of minutes remaining, and it was the substitute who scored the Mole's third goal. Andrew played the ball over the top and confusion between Jenkins and Stevens allowed Oyebola time and space to hook the ball over the keeper and give Molesey a lifeline with a couple of minutes remaining. In the closing stages, Molesey pushed hard for the equaliser. To break up the play Aylesbury made their final two changes with Kerran Lataille replacing the impressive Prosper and Garry jones replacing Almond respectively. Lots of crosses were being pumped into the box, but unfortunately no one could find that magic touch tograb the equaliser. After four minutes of injury time, the referee brought the match to a close, with a final score of 4-3 to Aylesbury.
Overall the Moles can be pleased with their efforts in the second half today. The match was ultimately lost in the first half, as the team struggled to get going. A much improved second half, in particular from Simeone, who lead the defence, Lodge in midfield and Akinsanya up front meant the game became a lot more competitive. Manager Pete Lelliott will be looking to shore things up in defence and will be mightily impressed with the pace and trickery on show in teh second half. I belive Molesey are a team who look better on the front foot, and if this can be shown for the full ninety minutes I don't think the Mole's faithful will have to wait long for an upturn in results.
Full Time
Aylesbury 4
Deacon 17,33
Prosper 69
Almond 71
Molesey 3
Simeone 61 (p)
Akinsanya 69
Oyebola 88
HT - 2 - 0 Attendance - 77
Molesey's Best Player - Olu Akinsanya
Next Match - 14/10/2017 Phoenix Sports (h) (Ryman League South)
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