Banstead Athletic 2 Molesey 3

On a reasonable afternoon at Merland Rise, Banstead got off to a slow start against a Molesey side going well in the Combined Counties League, writes Bob Lockyer.

Within the first few minutes, Molesey had the ball in the net, but the ref ajudged there was a foul on Banstead's keeper, who was going to be kept busy throughout.

Molesey were finding room to cause a few problems for Paul Norris's side.

Prendergast, starting for the first time for a while, found Sol Patterson-Bohner with a well-timed pass, which went for a corner.

Banstead were coming into the game a little more, another chance for Patterson-Bohner from a pass from Johns was well saved by the Molesey keeper.

Then, on 16 minutes, Molesey struck from a corner, with Rob Lewis heading powerfully into the net.

Another effort just went wide of the post. Molesey were putting on the pressure.

Banstead were pushing forward more, a lovely swerve round a defender in the Molesey area and Prendergast found Patterson-Bohner, who drew the hosts level on 22 minutes.

It was a lively match on a reasonable surface. On 39 minutes, Molesey were ahead again after some determination from Tawonezvi, who got off the floor took the ball on and unleashed a curling shot through a crowd of players into the net.

Banstead made a substitution in the second half, with Danny Lawrence coming on for Dean Sammut.

Patterson-Bohner had another effort saved by the Molesey keeper.

Just as Banstead were thinking they were coming to grips with the game, Molesey scored their third, through Lewis Ackerman.

During the half, Molesey made substitutions as well. On 80 minutes, Banstead made another substitution, with Ross White on in place of Prendergast.

Within minutes, White had made his mark and Banstead were back to 2-3 but with only a few minutes left.

A good effort from Ross Chalke was pushed over the bar by the Molesey keeper, after that the ref blew his whistle for full-time.

On their overall play, Molesey just deserved their victory.

Banstead have a chance to put things right on Tuesday (February 9), when they entertain Hanworth Villa, a 'six-pointer' if ever there was one. No pressure then.

Banstead: Brady, Sammut, Sinclair, Chalke, Patterson, Davidson, Graham, Quinton, Patterson-Bohner, John. subs used: Wallace, Lawrence, White. not used: Hawkins, Barnes.