This victory coming at Mole Valley. They have performed well in their first season in the premier division, and having beaten us at Chalky Lane just a few weeks ago we found ourselves below them in the league and expecting a tough match.

On probably the best day of the year so far weather wise, the bright sun played a part throughout with the home sides defenders and keeper having to contend with this in the first half. They did that reasonably well to be fair, and probably created the better openings early on. However on each occasion Mark Daniels was called upon he saved competently.

With our new found resilience, improved attitude, and better work rate we have a little more about us now, and although not at our best we were more than a match for our enthusiastic hosts.

As the game progressed it is fair to say that we were certainly the slightly better team, and a series of free kicks and corners tested the home keeper and proved to be the catalyst for a concerted run of pressure.

The best effort from open play came from Zak Graham, who’s thirty yard volley was caught just under the cross bar.
Ten minutes before the break and the lead was ours.

A free kick swung in by Matt Ellis was mis judged by the Mole Valley goalkeeper, and in the process his poor handling gifted us the most fortunate of goals. Matt Ellis credited with it based on the fact that his cross was on target, although that debate could run and run.

With us facing the conditions in the second half we had to maintain the defensive standards we had set in the previous period, and that we did. In fact the first real chance of the half fell to us and Cole-Bolt, whose first time drive went just over the bar. Although Mole Valley rallied, they were guilty of missing the target too often and in the second period Mark Daniels wasn’t particularly troubled but for the occasional set play and comfortable save.

As we entered the final twenty minutes the outcome was still in the balance though, although we looked more composed in keeping the one goal margin than at virtually any other point in the season.

In fact the major defensive headache for us during the closing stages was a goalmouth scramble, which despite being of some concern never really looked likely to result in a goal.

After this we cleverly slowed the game down, another sure sign that we are beginning to learn how to close a game out. Our clearances frustrating Mole Valley who spent several minutes retrieving the ball, as did the three late substitutions and several stoppages for our players to receive treatment for injuries.

With the target of back-to-back wins achieved, we can look forward with some optimism to three home games in a row including the much-anticipated game against Chertsey Town.