Report by Jools Thomas

The home team were in control for large periods of the game however, a lack of concentration meant that the game was never truly safe and it was somewhat of a relief when the referee blew the final whistle after an extended period of injury time.

Efforts by both Ty Deacon and then Shayne Almond within the first couple of minutes hinted at the entertainment to come. FC will argue they should have had a penalty on 6 minutes as Almond was tugged back when clean through on goal. The visitors’ Ashley Lodge had their first opportunity of the game soon afterwards but a combination of Ben Stevens and Jordan Jenkins blocked the effort.

It had been a very bright start from the Aylesbury Moles and it was no surprise when the team took the lead in the 14th minute. Good pressure resulted in a diagonal low cross through the penalty area and lurking at the far post was Ty Deacon who bundled the ball home from a matter of yards.

The following few minutes were nip and tuck as each side tested each other. Craig Carby threw himself at a goalbound effort from the visitors and Almond went close with a flashing shot across the penalty area. This was the prelude to the outstanding goal of the game. Deacon pushed the ball past his marker and ran round the other side before crashing an exquisite shot into the top corner of the net to double his side’s lead.

A two-goal advantage at the break with FC kicking towards their favoured end and with a light breeze behind them should have made the second half a formality for the home side but it didn’t quite work out that way.

On 59 minutes, Molesey were awarded a penalty for a kick out in the box. Ashley Jenkins steadied himself but Antonio Simeone kept his cool and slotted the ball just right of centre to halve the home team’s lead. That deficit was wiped out completely in the next move of the match. A slip by Davis Haule allowed an attack to develop and from the right hand side Olu Akinsanya swept the ball high into the corner past a despairing Jenkins’ hand.

This fightback jolted FC into life. The teams had been level for just six minutes before Jordan Jenkins rifled his shot home after the ball had pinged around the Molesey penalty area. Even better was to come as Aylesbury extended their lead still further. Just four minutes had elapsed since JJ’s goal when Shayne Almond added yet another. The ball was played into the path of the excellent Jeanmal Prosper and although he was unable to find a clear sight of goal, he did lay it off to Almond who had no mistake with a neat sidefoot.

Really, that should have been that but once again, the Aylesbury Moles allowed their visitors back into the game. With a minute or normal time to go, the home defence went walkabouts and Molesey substitute Ashby Charles was able to loop the ball over Jenkins for a somewhat soft goal. The referee announced a squeaky bum inducing five minutes of injury time and the visitors pressed for the equaliser. The fact that they didn’t score was more good fortune than any good FC play however the Moles survived the onslaught with players and supporters mightily relieved to hear the ref bring the game to a close.