WEYMOUTH manager labelled his side’s 2-0 FA Cup second qualifying round win over Chippenham Town as a “fantastic result for the club”.
The Terras faced the final 30 minutes with 10 men when Calvin Brooks saw red after receiving a second yellow, but Molesley’s men held firm for a triumph that earns the club a further £4,500 in prize money.
Following the victory, Molesley told Echosport that the “blood and thunder” cup tie “had everything”.
He said: “It’s a fantastic result for the club to get through to the next round of the FA Cup.
“As a cup tie it had everything, it was blood and thunder with a sending off and chances. From our point of view it’s a win and a good day’s work.”
Despite going into half-time 1-0 up, Molesley was displeased with the Terras’ first-half showing.
“Overall we were disappointed with our first-half performance. I don’t think we moved the ball anywhere near like how we usually move it and we were a bit tentative.
“But we showed in flashes, when we do get back to what we do best, we managed to carve out some opportunities and it resulted in a very well-taken goal.
“It was a great counter-attack move, great slick free-flowing football to go 1-0 up,” he said.
“Second-half we came out and had a good reaction from the boys, the rain started to come down, the pitch slicked up and we started moving it.
“We got another good goal from our point of view, the way we switched the play and got the second goal. It was a great finish from Mark Cooper against his ex-club, always a sweet one for him.
“It put us into a great position where we were comfortable and all of a sudden the sending off changes it, they’ve got nothing to lose and it made a tense finale.
“The most pleasing thing for me is the clean sheet in the circumstances. We stood up to a good side who threw a lot at us and we were resolute. We were men,” he added.
With the Terras not hitting top form on the ball, Molesley praised his side’s “character and desire” off it.
He said: “Could we have been better on the ball? Absolutely. Could we have got better movement from our players on the ball? In the first-half definitely.
“But second-half when you’re against 10 men we worked our socks off and threw bodies in the way. I thought the character and desire the players showed was fantastic.”
Molesley also gave credit to striker Ben Thomson, who worked tirelessly throughout the game and received a standing ovation from the crowd when he was substituted late on.
“When you’ve got Thommo up front you’ve always got a counter-attacking threat. Sometimes he’s up there by himself and he’s taking on all of the defenders.
“He’s a strong lad, he’s quick and he’s been great for us this season. Everyone at the club really appreciates him, the players appreciate him and as long as he continues to work hard I’m sure he’ll get his rewards,” he said.
Asked whether he had any preferences for opponents in the next round, Molesley admitted a home tie would be his choice.
He said: “It’s nice to have a home tie. We appreciated having a quality side like Chippenham to come and pit our wits against and they certainly gave us a tough challenge and one we had to stand up to.
“So again, another home tie, and I think on our day we fancy our chances against anyone.”
