A SURPRISED Mark Molesley admits his time in charge of Weymouth has flown by, as he prepares to lead the Terras at Hendon, his 100th competitive game in charge.
The tally includes his spell as caretaker boss, following the departure of Jason Matthews late in the 2015/16 season, before he was announced as boss that summer.
“Wow 100 games, is it really? That has flown by, 100 games in management isn’t too bad in these days.”
Molesley light-heartedly added: “I think I am past the life expectancy of a lot of managers now.”
At the end of that caretaker spell, Molesley saw the team finish seventh, while last year’s run to the play-offs ended in a semi-final defeat and a fifth-placed finish.
This year however, Molesley finds his side embroiled in a big battle for the title, and as such he admits he has not had time to look back.
Molesley said: “At this stage of the season you do not get a chance to sit back and reflect. It is just the next game, the next challenge.
“I am sure in the summer there will be plenty of chance to look back over the season but at the moment it is full steam ahead to the next challenge.”
Impressively, Molesley has done this while working as AFC Bournemouth’s under-21 assistant, and he feels that both experiences have helped him to grow, but ultimately says he is privileged to do something he loves.
When asked if it felt additionally satisfying reaching this tally alongside his work at Bournemouth, Molesley said: “I think both experiences have helped me as a person, to grow and every day I am always trying to improve to become a better coach and a better manager.
“I am very privileged to be able to do both jobs and it is hard work but it is work that I enjoy and I am lucky to do something I love.”
Prior to Hendon, Molesley’s record as Weymouth boss which doesn’t include the Needham Market walkover, reads as: won 57, lost 23 and drawn 19.
The Terras face Hendon for the clash, and come up against a side that are mired in a bad run of form.
Hendon are ahead of only Staines Town in the form table over the last 10 games, with just one win in that time and currently sit 15th in the table.
However, that one win came against Merthyr on the 16th of this month, but the Greens were then thumped 4-0 by Gosport Borough at the weekend.
Discussing Hendon, Molesley said: “Another tough away trip to Hendon. Hendon beat Merthyr who I thought were one of the best sides that we have seen.
“So it shows what a tough league this is, and we have go again.”
The match was originally due to take place in January, but the game had to be postponed 45 minutes before it began due to snowy conditions up in London.
