Molesey 0 Egham Town 3

COMBINED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2012
MOLESEY 0 (0) EGHAM TOWN 3 (2)
EGHAM TOWN SCORERS: REIS STANISLAUS (27), TOMMY HEDGES (37), BRADLEY FRASER (81)
Wanting to finish in the top two or three means having to record victories like this, away not just to a useful side who were sitting in sixth place but also at a ground at which league points had not been gathered in the Combined Counties League – and on a muddy, cut up pitch criticised by home boss Steve Webb before a ball had been kicked. There was an historical element in this match; at Walton Road all Molesey home wins in the CCL versus one Egham success in the FA Cup.
The management team of Lee Passmore, Jack McKinlay and Neerav Patel had done their homework, giving the players, sore after their 4-0 win over Ash United a night off training on Tuesday and using their spare time to see the Moles’ 2-0 home win over Farnham Town. They clearly identified that going at the home side from the off was the way forward, and that is what the visitors did. After 20 minutes the pressure told; referee Damith Bandara had no option but to award a penalty when Jordan McCartney floored Reis Stanislaus just inside the area. Jamie Read, with ten goals this season including a penalty in the win against Ash, leant back too much and his kick hit Wester Young’s bar. It didn’t stop the momentum. Luke Craig fired a cross shot in, seeing it deflected for a corner kick, and in the 27th minute Jamie Houghton threaded a pass for Stanislaus. Molesey had just had to rebuild their back line, skipper Andy Graves retiring hurt with a back strain, and Stanislaus had no problem sliding past replacement Tim Pitt in preparation for a thumping shot low into the bottom left corner. Ten minutes later Houghton opened up the Molesey defence again, Tommy Hedges took the ball in his stride and after a quick check on his bearings he swept an imperious,25 yard shot with the outside of his right boot beyond the reach of the flatfooted keeper.
A two goal lead at half time was more than we Sarnies could have dared to expect. The trick was to hold on to it, but that was easier than expected . Molesey had more of the ball in the first 20 minutes of the second period but I cannot recall Paul Borg being more than momentarily discomforted from a couple of corners. Houghton was replaced by Steve Coultas in midfield and in a move that meant Hedges swapping from the right to the left wing Bradley Fraser took over from Luke Craig. Read had a great chance to make it 3-0 after Stanislaus took advantage of a defensive slip, but as Read advanced on goal Kristian Webb did just enough to force him to shoot wide. Suddenly, out of nowhere, came a 35 yard howitzer of a shot that Borg had to turn over. Manny Quarshie’s robust challenge on Jake Galbraith raised hackles on both sides, Molesey assistant manager (as usual) becoming particularly agitated. Quarshie took his yellow card with better grace. Read went off, Jacob Lambe came on. Unrelated, a minute later Egham got their third. Galbraith spotted an opening for Hedges to run onto, he crossed for Stanislaus, and the striker, who could have had a go himself, had the composure and unselfishness to move the ball on to Fraser, who ran the ball in from close range. With only eight minutes left of regulation time Molesey were now a beaten team and Egham saw the rest of the match out comfortably.
On Tuesday Egham Town entertain Windsor, whom they thrashed 8-2 at Stag Meadow. That game had so much attached it. Windsor had lost several players after a budget cut, but were in the match with two excellent goals from Ben Harris until he was sent off for deliberate handball. Then Egham cut loose and were 5-2 up at half time. Chief orchestrator James McShane scored four, Charlie McCarthy three and Josh Andrew the last and all seemed right with the world at Egham Town. Then Messrs. Hamsher and Noad dropped their bombshell before the home game with South Park. Two of our scorers that Monday night went with them and McCarthy seems to be unavailable, I understand. Both clubs have since taken stock. Under our new management Egham Town have been able to maintain the good work, and Windsor, even though their record has shown some further heavy losses, are in 13th place. Just above them are Saturday’s opponents, Wembley, who will present their customary difficult challenge at their Vale Farm ground. Egham scored through McCarthy for a 1-0 win in the first game.
On the injury front things are looking up. Aaron Taylor-Ives is on the mend after a groin injury. James Brown told me he has got over the dislocated shoulder injury that looked so dreadfully painful in the League Cup win at Warlingham, but he has a groin strain to contend with now. Matt Smith told me he is now injury free but short of match fitness, and with Junior Walters also available there is plenty of strength in depth in the Egham Town squad. In the meantime the Under 18s are second in their section of the Southern Youth League, level on points with and with a game in hand on leaders Woking U18s. Colin Bartholomew is continuing the magnificent work of last season, with last season’s keeper, Josh Henry, assisting him most admirably.
EGHAM TOWN: Paul Borg, Louis Chandler-Joseph, Jake Galbraith, Jim Ward, Alex Rodrigues, Luke Muldowney, Tommy Hedges, Jamie Houghton, Reis Stanislaus, Jamie Read, Luke Craig. Subs: Steve Coultas (Houghton, 58), Brendan Matthew, Jacob Lambe (Read, 80), Enrico Rossoni, Bradley Fraser (Craig, 63).