Molesey 5 Croydon 1

Although there was a celebration planned for after the match the Moles still had a match against tough opponents, Croydon, to contend with before any presentations were given out.

Molesey made two changes from their epic two hours of football the previous Friday with Ian Lishmund and Doug Ford coming into the starting line-up.

Molesey looked to impose themselves on the match from the very start and carved out their first opportunity in the seventh minute when James McShane picked out Lewis Ackerman with a long diagonal ball and Ackermans touch into the middle created a goal mouth scramble in which Ashley Fashanu was unable to get enough on the ball to turn it past the goalkeeper.

Just a minute later though Croydon tried to spoil the celebrations and Wester Young did superbly well to tip the ball on to the bar and keep the Moles level in the game.

Molesey though were the first side to strike the score sheet. After 18 minutes Molesey won a free kick 30 yards from goal which seemed to be innocuous enough but that was without reckoning on Jordan McCartney smashing the ball straight into the bottom corner past the despairing Jamie Williams in Croydons goal.

McCartneys first goal for the club gave Molesey a lead in a game that up until then had been very evenly fought.

Four minutes later Ashley Fashanu, who is still looking for his first goal for the club, found himself with space in the box from a corner but he didn't get enough on its header and it sailed just wide of the far post.

This was followed by the players who shares Fashanu's first name, Ashley Lodge finding himself through on goal and he opted for power and nearly snapped the post in half but saw his shot fly back straight at him.

However, in the 32nd minute Ashley Fashanu showed good strength to reach the byline before being hauled down in the box and after a moment of deliberation the linesman signalled for a penalty.

After missing his last two penalties James McShane left the ball on the penalty spot for Luke Elliott.

Luke Elliott came forward and although the 'keeper got a hand to the strike it wasn't enough to keep it out and Luke Elliott became the second player of the night to score his first goal for Molesey.

Molesey finished the half with a two goal advantage and had to be extremely pleased about how the Moles were playing.

Molesey almost started the second half the same way they were playing in the first half when a good Ashley Fashanu flick found Lewis Ackerman who lobbed the 'keeper expertly but the celebrations were cut short by the linesmans flag which signalled offside against the potential scorer.

However, Molesey were hit by a sucker punch when Jordan McCartney gave a free kick right on the edge of the box and just like McCartney's free kick the strike by Martin Smith went under the wall and deceived Wester Young enough to half the deficit for Croydon.

Just when the fans migh have been getting a little nervous Ashley Fashanu again found Lewis Ackerman who was onside this time and he fired the ball into the net to recover the Moles two goal lead.

Just after this goal Jordan McCartney was forced from the pitch after picking up a bit of a knock and Rob Lewis came on to replace him..

Then in the 68th minute came the moment that all the Moles fans were waiting and hoping for when after some fine passing the ball fell to Ian Lishmund whose chipped ball into the box found Sam Lampard unmarked and the man celebrating his 300th game celebrated it with a fine header to give Molesey the 4-1 lead.

This was Lishmunds last act of the game and he was replaced soon after the cross with Farid Ibrahim-Zadeh who is fast becoming known among the fans as a super sub.

He lived up to his reputation just two minutes later when after good Lewis Ackerman work the ball fell to Ashley Lodge who picked out Ibrahim-Zaheh whose header looped over the 'keeper into the top corner of the net.

Then after Luke Elliott danced past two defenders and curled his shot just wide, Sam Lampard was brought off to a heroes reaction and a standing ovation when he was replaced by Darius Heravi.

Molesey fans and players then all gathered around to celebrate Sam Lampards milestone with a bottle of champagne and a memento. It is an unlikely milestone considering the mercurial nature of most modern footballers, especially in the non-league.

Molesey fans will be hoping for another 300 games that are just as effective as the 300 he just completed.

Molesey now travel away to Ash United on Saturday as they contine their Combined Counties League campaign.