Lydney Town 1-3 Mousehole

Isuzu FA Vase First Round ‘Proper’

Saturday 22^nd October 2022

At Swan Lane

SUMMARY

Mousehole’s qualities were the deciding factor in a thoroughly deserved Cup win in Gloucestershire, thanks to three superbly executed goals against their hard-working Hellenic League opponents. The draw for the second round sees The Seagulls face a tough home challenge in three weeks’ time against new high-quality opponents.

MATCH PREVIEW

The novelty and excitement of progressing in a national Cup competition means that Mousehole are in unfamiliar territory as they travel for a first-ever match against Hellenic League Premier Division side Lydney Town – their longest-ever journey, a round trip of nearly 450 miles.

The West Gloucestershire side currently lie 14^th in their League, which is at the same level as the Step 5 Western League Premier Division.  They have an overall 13 points from 14 games, with their home record showing one win, two draws and four defeats from seven games, with attendances falling to below 70 for their last two. 

The Severnsiders reached this round of the FA Vase with a 5-1 away win at Step 6 Hengrove Athletic, while Mousehole achieved an identical scoreline at fellow WLP side Shepton Mallet. 

The home side have entered the FA Vase 17 times, including in 14 of the last 15 seasons, whereas for Mousehole it’s just their third year.  In their first-ever appearance in the competition, The Seagulls lost in a penalty shoot-out after a 0-0 draw at higher-league Exmouth Town, and last season they beat Shepton Mallet away (1-0) and Wells City at home (4-0), before losing 1-0 away at Bridgwater United who went on to reach the 5^th Round.  If Mousehole win today’s tricky encounter, they will have extended their unbeaten run to ten games.

Under the rules of the FA Vase, the tie will be decided on the day, with a penalty shoot-out at the end of 90 minutes if needed.   Each side can name up to seven substitutes and use three.

Mousehole’s team news is that defenders Mark Richards and Josh Otto remain sidelined by injury, young goalkeeper Lewis Moyle makes his sixth consecutive appearance, midfielder Andy Elcock makes his 50^th appearance for the club, and just four substitutes are named.

The weather is damp, the pitch surface has plenty of lush grass, and there’s a bigger-than-usual crowd inside the ground, with a sizeable turn-out of Seagulls supporters.

THE KEY POINTS OF THE MATCH

Mousehole are wearing their new turquoise and yellow kit, which makes them much more visible on dark afternoons such as today.

5 minutes: GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  A well-timed pass inside the full back enables Hayden Turner to race to the byeline on the left and drive the ball low across goal where MARK GOLDSWORTHY has read the situation perfectly to arrive for a close-range finish.  Mousehole have a habit of scoring early FA Vase goals – that’s now three (from memory).

14 minutes:  Reece Thomson’s 25-yarder is deflected and goalkeeper Richard Thomas safely collects

15 minutes:  Mark Goldsworthy crosses low from the right and keeper Thomas gets ahead of Hayden Turner at the near post

16 minutes:  Lydney Town have a free kick near the corner of the Mousehole penalty area – but it’s wasted as Steve Clarke puts the ball into the side netting

24 minutes:  Mousehole concede possession in a dangerous area and Lewis Moyle makes a confident catch under the crossbar from Steve Clarke’s lofted 20-yard shot

28 minutes:  Lydney on the attack again, with Clarke shooting goal-wards from the edge of the box and Lewis Moyle going full-length to tip the ball around the post

30 minutes:  At the other end, Jack Calver puts through Hayden Turner to round the keeper, but the angle is too narrow and the defenders have got back to cover

31 minutes:  Jack Calver is prominent again, swerving a left-foot shot from 20 yards just wide

32 minutes:  Home centre-back Tristan Murphy slices Callam Mconie’s low cross in front of goal and is fortunate that no Mousehole player is near enough to the loose ball

36 minutes:  Lydney have another free kick in a promising position but again it’s wasted, as Steve Clarke shoots too high

39 minutes:  Callam Mconie makes a surging run down the right to pull the ball back from the byeline, but no-one is within reach

41 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – The injured Callam Mconie is replaced by Andy Watkins

43 minutes:  A brave bit of goalkeeping as Jack Calver’s floated free kick to the far post is headed back inside by Reece Thomson, and Richard Thomas holds on to the ball under the crossbar with severe pressure from Mark Goldsworthy

45+1 minutes:  Reece Thomson’s quick angled pass finds Hayden Turner in a good position inside the hosts’ penalty area but he can’t bring the ball under control

45+5 minutes:  At half-time Mousehole have only the one-goal lead despite their possession and chances, so the home side will no doubt feel they can get back into the match

The second half

47 minutes: Hayden Turner exploits space on the left side of the Lydney defence and his low cross is just behind Mark Goldsworthy as he closes in

50 minutes:  Sam Addis makes a great run into the Mousehole area and goes to ground in a challenge – despite loud protests for a penalty Referee James Lewis sees nothing in it

52 minutes:  The home side’s influential attacking midfielder Robbie Atkinson is close with a 20-yard free kick that’s inches too high, but with Lewis Moyle covering

56 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Reece Thomson and Jack Calver open up the Severnsiders’ defence leading to a foul on Mark Goldsworthy just outside the 18-yard line and left of centre.  HAYDEN TURNER taps the free kick sideways to Jack Calver who tees it up for the striker to drive an unstoppable shot into the top corner.  That’s a more comfortable-looking 2-0 lead for The Seagulls.

59 minutes:  Hayden Turner’s inside pass breaks for Reece Thomson whose goal-bound shot is deflected for a corner, and Adel Gafaiti nudges the flag kick narrowly over the bar from six yards.

64 minutes:  Reece Thomson turns and shoots past the near post after a defence-splitting solo run by Jack Calver

66 minutes:  Andy Watkins’ attempt on goal forces keeper Thomas into a sprawling save at the foot of his near post

67 minutes:  Mousehole substitute  – Jack Calver is replaced in midfield by Tallan Mitchell

Half-way through the second half – Mousehole seem more relaxed and in control, having lots of ball and space

68 minutes:  GOAL FOR LYDNEY TOWN.  Out of the blue, the hosts pull a goal back from a penalty by LEWIS THOMPSON after Sam Addis is bundled over by Max Hill before he can turn and shoot.   Lydney Town 1-2 Mousehole.  Can the hosts now raise the tempo in the last 20 minutes?

71 minutes:  The home defence is in disarray as Reece Thomson puts Hayden Turner into space for an inside pass, Mark Goldsworthy’s shot is blocked and Andy Watkins’ fist-time attempt on goal goes wide with the keeper out of position

74 minutes:  Hayden Turner again supplies a low cross which just evades Mark Goldsworthy in front of an open goal

75 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Mark Goldsworthy is replaced by Louis Price, who takes up a wide-right position with Andy Watkins more central.  It looks as though the visitors have decided that attack is the best form of defence.

80 minutes:  A mistimed tackle gives Lydney yet another free kick deep into the visitors’ territory, but once again the hosts fail to exploit the possibilities as it floats wide

85 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  HAYDEN TURNER makes it 3-1 with another unstoppable drive into the far top corner, this time from just inside the area – that puts his season’s goal tally into double figures, a really great goal at a really important time in the match

The last few minutes:  Lydney have now appeared to accept the inevitable outcome of the match.  Mousehole mount a series of quick raids spearheaded by Andy Watkins and Louis Price, with only a superb intervention in front goal by Tristan Murphy and three first-class saves by keeper Richard Thomas keeping the scoreline as it is.  

90+6 minutes:  At full time it finishes Lydney Town 1-3 Mousehole, a good contest enjoyed by supporters of both sides.  Now on to the draw for the second round.

*****

The draw announced on Monday lunchtime set up a ‘plum’ home tie against Hellenic League Division One side Hartpury University.  Two years ago, the Gloucester-based organisation formed its first-ever non-league side – from students studying full-time for sports-related degrees and receiving a dedicated fully-professional football coaching programme.  Last season they gained promotion to Step 6 and are currently 7^th in their Division with 20 points from 11 fixtures, and games in hand on the teams above.

MOUSEHOLE (with used substitutes)

Lewis Moyle (GK), Steve Burt, Adel Gafaiti, Max Hill, Paulo Sousa, Andy Elcock, Jack Calver (Tallan Mitchell 67’), Reece Thomson, Callam Mconie (Andy Watkins 41’), Mark Goldsworthy (Louis Price 75’), Hayden Turner.  Other substitute:  Kyle Fraser.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee James Lewis (Newent), with Bobby Tutton (Bristol) and Garry Collier (Gloucester)

ATTENDANCE:  147

NEXT FOR MOUSEHOLE

This Saturday, 29^th October, 3pm

Away v Barnstaple Town (EX31 1JQ), WLP

Tuesday 1^st November, 7.45pm

HOME v Torpoint Athletic, WLP

Saturday 5^th November, 3pm

Away v Cadbury Heath (BS30 8BX), WLP

Tuesday 8^th November, 7.45pm

Away v Saltash United (PL12 6DX)

Cornwall Senior Cup 2^nd Round

Saturday 12^th November, 3pm

HOME v Hartpury University

FA Vase 2^nd Round

SUMMARY

Mousehole edged the three points in an exciting and high-intensity game to consolidate their position in the top six and close the gap on the teams above

MATCH PREVIEW

Sixth-place Seagulls this afternoon host fourth-place Bucks hoping to do better than in their last two drawn home games against Barnstaple and Ilfracombe.

Mousehole won both home and away League fixtures against Buckland last season and are undefeated in their last eight games, but the visitors are also currently in good form, as evidenced by their resounding 4-0 win over Helston Athletic last week.

Today’s game has all the makings of a tight affair, with the Devon side’s away record showing just six goals scored and eight conceded.

Mousehole are four points behind Buckland, with two games in hand, so today’s outcome will be important if Jake Ash’s side are to stay within touching distance of the teams at the top.

The weather is warm, sunny and breezy, the pitch is in great condition, and Mousehole are kicking towards the Cricket Club End.

KEY POINTS OF THE MATCH

1 minute:  Reece Thomson takes the ball along the visitors’ 18-yard line and tees up Jack Calver whose shot zips wide

4 minutes:  Buckland break quickly on the right and young keeper Lewis Moyle gets down well to save George Dandridge’s angled shot at the near post

6 minutes:  Reece Thomson is on the end of a brisk passing move but shoots too high from 20 yards

10 minutes:  The visitors have two free kicks in a row in a central position 35 yards out, both well defended

12 minutes:  Mark Goldsworthy does some great work near the left byeline to create space for a cross towards the far post – Callam Mconie collects and fires into the side netting

14 minutes:  A slick move from the half-way line sees Callam Mconie find Reece Thomson on the left and his goal-bound drive is deflected for a corner

17 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Callam Mconie’s reverse pass gives Reece Thomson the chance to trick his way between two defenders and square the ball inside for MARK GOLDSWORTHY to take a touch and stroke the ball home for a composed finish from eight yards.  Mousehole 1-0 Buckland Athletic.

Half-way through the first half:  Mousehole are playing with more fluency and intensity than in previous weeks

25 minutes:  The ball rears up and strikes Steve Burt’s hand at the end of a visitors’ raid into the penalty area – Referee Alan Bassett waves away the Bucks’ appeals

28 minutes:  Steve Burt again – he’s perfectly positioned in front of goal to head away a threatening Bucks cross from the right

31 minutes:  Just on the half-hour mark there are signs of Buckland coming back into the game.  Max Hill makes a vital block from a shot on goal inside the area

38 minutes:  Callam Mconie puts over a cross from the right towards the far post where Harry Hodges snuffs out the chance with a timely clearance

40 minutes:  Hayden Turner comes in from the left and swerves a right-footed shot from near the corner of the penalty area just wide of the far post

43 minutes:  Hayden Turner again makes inroads on the left and crosses into the six yard box wit Mark Goldsworthy not able to make the right connection and Callam Mconie firing the loose ball wide

45+2:  At the other end, Josh Webber creates danger running in from the left, but it’s well dealt with by the home defence

45+4 minutes:  At half-time Mousehole have the lead after one of their best 45 minutes of the season, but it’s only a one goal advantage and Buckland Athletic may have something to say about that after the break

The second half:

51 minutes:  Jack Calver and Reece Thomson carve out a chance on the left for Hayden Turner, and Rob Farkins clears the low cross-cum-shot off the line with keeper Andrew Collings beaten

53 minutes:  Josh Webber exploits indecision in Mousehole’s back line to create a great chance for an equaliser – his fierce shot towards the corner of Lewis Moyle’s net is magnificently kept out by the youngster

56 minutes:  Webber again threatens on the break but his final attempt is blocked by good covering

Approaching the hour mark:  Buckland are pressing hard inside Mousehole’s half and gradually seizing the initiative

59 minutes:  The game goes through a stop-start period, with both sets of players looking confused by a series of refereeing decision

61 minutes:  Josh Webber has the clearest of his recent three chances, but shoots wide from 18 yards

61 minutes:  An exciting moment as keeper Collings comes out of his area to clear a through ball, but it only reaches Mark Goldsworthy, whose 30-yard attempt on the open goal is scuffed away by the alert Reece Hendrickson

62 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Reece Thomson is replaced by Tallan Mitchell

64 minutes:  A trio of Buckland shots from outside the box are blocked before they can trouble the keeper

67 minutes:  A dipping and swerving 30-yard shot by centre back Owen Stockton is superbly tipped over by Lewis Moyle

Half-way through the second half:  The visitors are getting on top and looking good value for an equaliser

69 minutes:  Mousehole substitutes – Callam Mconie is replaced by Louis Price, and Jack Calver by Andy Watkins

71 minutes:  Keeper Lewis Moyle shows great anticipation, sprinting out to clear a likely-looking through ball and preserve the Seagulls’ lead

77 minutes:  A rare Mousehole attempt at the other end – Louis Price’s glancing header from Hayden Turner’s near-post corner sails past the far upright

78 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Mark Goldsworthy is replaced by Jack Symons

79 minutes:  Mousehole unexpectedly close to a second goal – Andy Elcock sends a spectacular 25-yard volley marginally past the angle of post and bar with keeper Collings nowhere near it

80 minutes:  Back come Buckland – and it’s a familiar pattern as Josh Webber leads a quick break, with the shot missing the far post

81 minutes:  Lewis Moyle safely grasps a left-sided cross by his near post as the visitors again fashion an opening

87 minutes:  The teenager is again in action, diving full length to hold on to a goal-bound Rob Farkins header with attackers waiting to pounce on the loose ball

89 minutes:  A long free kick gives the Bucks a half-chance on the edge of the box, but Owen Stockton shoots hurriedly over the bar

90+1 minutes:  Into added-on time and experienced centre-back Rob Farkins is now playing as a centre-forward, but Mousehole’s defenders are equal to the challenge

90+3 minutes:  Jack Symons runs at the visitors’ defence and rounds the keeper but the angle is too tight and defenders clear the attempted cross

90+6 minutes:  At full time it ends Mousehole 1-0 Buckland Athletic – a game in which the home side dominated proceedings in the first half, with the visitors putting in a very strong second 45 minutes and testing the home defence to the full

MOUSEHOLE (with used substitutes)

Lewis Moyle (GK), Steve Burt, Max Hill, Adel Gafaiti, Paulo Sousa, Andy Elcock, Jack Calver (Andy Watkins), Reece Thomson (Tallan Mitchell), Callam Mconie (Louis Price), Mark Goldsworthy (Jack Symons), Hayden Turner (Kyle Fraser)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Alan Bassett (Referee) with Adam Price and Darren Dayus (Assistant Referees)

ATTENDANCE:  138

NEXT FOR MOUSEHOLE

This Saturday, 22^nd October, 3pm: 

Away v Lydney Town (Step 5, Hellenic League Premier Division)

Isuzu FA Vase First Round ‘Proper’

Swan Road, GL15 5RU

Saturday 29^th October, 3pm:

Away v Barnstaple Town

Western League Premier Division

Tuesday 1^st November, 7.45pm

HOME v Torpoint Athletic (WLP)

Mousehole 2-2 Ilfracombe Town

Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Saturday 8^th October 2022

At Trungle Parc

SUMMARY

Mousehole grabbed an injury-time equaliser against resilient opponents to extend their recent run of form to five wins and three draws in the last eight games, the point keeping them in sixth place in the League table

MATCH PREVIEW

It’s almost exactly 100 years since Mousehole played their first ever football match and their history is superbly illustrated at today’s Centenary Exhibition at the Solomon Browne Hall organised by the Mousehole Archive. 

This afternoon’s match – Seagulls versus Bluebirds – would be a great opportunity to celebrate the occasion on the pitch, but visitors Ilfracombe Town will undoubtedly be out to prove they are not there just to make up the numbers.

Mousehole’s two League matches against the North Devon side last season proved to be tough affairs, with a 2-0 loss at Marlborough Park at the end of August redeemed by a hard-fought 3-0 home win later.

Ilfracombe, who have yet to record an away win in the League this season, are currently in 14^th place, whereas The Seagulls are in sixth, thanks to an unbeaten run of seven games including five wins.

From the starting X1 on Mousehole’s team sheet it looks like a new formation, with a back line of three defenders and no wing-backs, but with an otherwise attacking line-up

KEY POINTS OF THE MATCH

There’s bright warm sunshine at the start and Mousehole are kicking towards the Cricket Club End

19 minutes:  GOAL FOR ILFRACOMBE TOWN.  Nothing significant has happened so far, but Mousehole lose the ball deep into visitors’ territory, winger John Downing carries the ball at speed into a huge space on the left and finds HARRY STEVENS, who’s done well to keep up with the swift break and he twists and turns to create a shooting chance low into the corner from the edge of the six yard box.  1-0 to the visitors.

22 minutes:  Downing again poses a threat with a run and shot from 20 yards which Lewis Moyle anticipates well to save

Half-way through the first half:  Mousehole have so far lacked cohesion and any penetration, and the visitors have successfully stifled a lot of forward movement

31 minutes:  The hosts threaten at last – Louis Price’s low cross from the right is well cut out at the last moment by Sam Wright in front of goal

34 minutes;  Louis Price and Callam Mconie break through to create a shooting chance on the 18-yard line but stumble over the ball and it’s cleared

37 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  A quick passing pattern by Louis Price, Tallan Mitchell and Steve Burt draws the defence out of position and HAYDEN TURNER has the space to fire past the advancing Adam Seedhouse-Evans into the far corner of his net from 15 yards.  The home side’s first attempt on goal makes it 1-1.

45+1 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Mark Richards has a painful injury and is replaced by Paulo Sousa

45+4 minutes:  At half time the score is 1-1.  The match has been quite low key – which the visitors will be pleased about.

The second half – Mousehole have reverted to a more familiar formation, with Steve Burt and Paulo Sousa occupying the two full back positions

53 minutes:  Hayden Turner’s run on the left is followed by a searching cross to the far post that Louis Price can’t quite turn over the line

56 minutes:  Mousehole penalty!  Mark Goldsworthy collects the ball on the 18 yard line, goes past two defenders and goes to ground after a challenge by a third.  Hayden Turner drives the spot kick hard and low, but keeper Seedhouse-Evans gets to it and holds on

57 minutes:  GOAL FOR ILFRACOMBE TOWN.  The keeper immediately dispatches a long ball down the middle where a moment of indecision allows HARRY STEVENS to get in a shot on goal from just inside the box that ricochets off Lewis Moyle into the net.  A costly 60 seconds for The Seagulls!

58 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Louis Price is replaced by Jack Symons

59 minutes:  The young substitute makes an instant impact with a turn and pass putting Hayden Turner through on goal, but the keeper is out quickly to smother the chance

60 minutes:  A replica move results in the same outcome!

63 minutes:  Hayden Turner is inches away from an equaliser with a whipped shot from 25 yards that swerves past the angle with the keeper beaten

Half-way through the second half:  Ilfracombe signal their intentions – keeper Seedhouse-Evans takes ages over a goal kick and is show a yellow card for timewasting

72 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Callam Mconie is replaced by Jack Calver, returning after an injury lay-off

15 minutes left:  The visitors are holding on to their lead with some deep and determined defending, and stealing the ball often when Mousehole’s passing is too intricate

78 minutes:  Mousehole substitutes – Tallan Mitchell and Steve Burt are replaced by Reece Thomson and Andy Watkins

85 minutes:  The Seagulls have upped the tempo – Max Hill has a goal-bound shot blocked by a defender

86 minutes:  Jack Calver’s free kick from 20 yards is palmed over by the keeper

87 minutes:  Mousehole get three corners in a row, all well defended

90+1 minutes:  Going into added time, Jack Symons has a shot blocked for yet another corner, again cleared

90+2 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Hayden Turner curls a knee-high cross towards the far post where MAX HILL races in to side-foot home the equaliser – the centre-back’s second important goal of the season after his opener at Falmouth Town a couple of weeks ago

90+5 minutes:  At the full-time whistle,  Ilfracombe are denied their first away win of the season, while Mousehole stretch their run to eight games undefeated, thanks to a period of higher intensity in the later stages of the match

MOUSEHOLE (with used substitutes):

Lewis Moyle (GK), Adel Gafaiti, Mark Richards (Paulo Sousa), Max Hill, Steve Burt (Reece Thomson), Tallan Mitchell (Andy Watkins), Andy Elcock, Callam Mconie (Jack Calver), Louis Price (Jack Symons), Mark Goldsworthy, Hayden Turner

MATCH OFFICIALS

Neil Lane (Referee) with Ken Swift and Stuart Bowden (Assistant Referees)

ATTENDANCE:  141

NEXT FOR MOUSEHOLE

This Saturday, 15^th October, 3pm

HOME v Buckland Athletic, WLP

Saturday 22^nd October, 3pm

Away v Lydney Town, FAV-1R

Saturday 29^th October, 3pm

Away v Barnstaple Town, WLP

Tuesday 1^st November, 7.45pm

HOME v Torpoint Athletic, WLP

Mousehole 1-1 Barnstaple Town

Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Saturday 1^st October 2022

At Trungle Parc

SUMMARY

The hosts in fifth place and the visitors in fourth produced the expected tight contest, with the draw extending Mousehole’s unbeaten run to seven games

MATCH PREVIEW

This is the third meeting between the two teams this campaign after two earlier FA Cup games – and the return League fixture at the end of October will make it four head-to-heads in the first three months of the season

Mousehole drew the FA Cup tie 1-1 at Barnstaple in early August and won the Replay 3-2 after extra time.

Standing 5^th in the table, Mousehole are on a good run of form, having not lost since the FA Cup tie at Torpoint on 20^th August, the latest success coming on  Wednesday with a 2-0  away win at Falmouth Town

Fourth-place Barnstaple have also made a strong start to the season since relegation from the Southern League, with just two defeats, at table-topping Bridgwater Town and at high-flying Shepton Mallet.

In Mousehole’s team news, 18-year old Lewis Moyle is selected in goal for the third match in a row, and the recently-returned Adel Gafaiti is named among the substitutes.

KEY POINTS OF THE MATCH

In the pre-match warm-up, captain Mark Richards has felt the effects of the injury that caused him to be withdrawn at half-time on Wednesday, and he’s replaced in central defence by Adel Gafaiti

Mousehole are kicking towards the Cricket Club in the first half

1 minute:  Mousehole instantly on the offensive – a long throw into the visitors’ penalty area is headed on by Reece Thomson and it skims past every one and the far post

2 minutes:  The Seagulls very close to an early goal – Hayden Turner speeds into space on the left for a cross into the six yard box, keeper Liam Kingston spills it, the ball spins towards the open goal and centre back Brodie Montague makes a last-second clearance off the line

4 minutes:  Mousehole again – Louis Price puts Mark Goldsworthy in with a chance in the area and David Slade blocks the shot

6 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell drives in a swerving shot from 25 yards and keeper Kingston does well to get across to parry it away to safety

7 minutes:  Reece Thomson turns and shoots but it’s too close to the keeper, who pushes it out and the loose ball is cleared

8 minutes:  After a flurry of pressure, it’s Mousehole’s turn to defend – Adel Gafaiti makes a vital headed clearance inside the six yard box to clear a dangerous right-sided cross

11 minutes:  A big chance for Barnstaple – Stuart Bowker advances unchallenged on goal, there’s no offside flag, but the former Helston man drives wide of the far post from 15 yards

20 minutes:  A Barnstaple corner bounces around and Bowker steers an overhead kick wide

Half-way through the first half – Barnstaple have weathered the earlier Mousehole storm and are now right back in the game

28 minutes:  Stuart Bowker sends an inviting cross towards the far post where Paulo Sousa guides his header carefully out for a corner

30 minutes:  The visitors gain a disputed free kick 25 yards out which Billy Tucker fires at goal, but home keeper Lewis Moyle makes the save look comfortable

32 minutes:  Another chance for Barnstaple as Brodie Montague is up in attack but miscues from six yards and Lewis Moyle pounces on the ball

33 minutes:  Mousehole at last venture forward with menace – Hayden Turner brings the ball in from the left but shoots into the side netting with Reece Thomson and Mark Goldsworthy well placed in the middle

35 minutes:  At the other end, Adel Gafaiti gets his body in the way to make a crucial block on the edge of the six yard box after Max Hill’s clearance is charged down to gift the visitors a clear opening

42 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  HAYDEN TURNER speeds inside from the left past two defenders and rifles a 20-yard drive into the top right-hand corner past Liam Kingston’s full-length dive.  Mousehole 1-0 Barnstaple a couple of minutes before half-time.

45+1 minutes:  Callum Laird has a presentable chance for the visitors but Lewis Moyle is equal to the shot with an assured save

45+3 minutes:  In the last action of the half, Billy Tucker is inches away from an equaliser with a floated free kick over the crossbar

At half time, Mousehole have a slender lead after earlier dominance, but Barnstaple have had a lot of control and looked dangerous

The second half

51 minutes:  GOAL FOR BARNSTAPLE.  Mousehole are caught in possession 30 yards out, Matt Andrew takes the ball deep into home territory on the right and squares to Stuart Bowker who tees up CALLUM LAIRD for an unstoppable shot into the far corner via the underside of the bar.  Mousehole 1-1 Barnstaple Town – two great finishes and maybe more to come

60 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Louis Price is replaced by Callam Mconie on the right side of the attack

63 minutes:  A timely interception by the visitors’ David Slade prevents a Reece Thomson pass reaching Mark Goldsworthy in front of goal

66 minutes:  Hayden Turner races from halfway and his low cross across goal looks certain to be touched in by Reece Thomson or Callam Mconie but it eludes both

67 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Mark Goldsworthy is replaced by Andy Watkins

Halfway through the second half – this game looks finely balanced and could go either way

69 minutes:  Lewis Moyle is at full stretch to push out a low goal-bound drive by Myles Perkins for a corner

70 minutes:  Barnstaple threaten again as Billy Tucker’s corner is swung in and David Slade heads over under pressure

73 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Reece Thomson is replaced by Jared sims

75 minutes:  Callam Mconie shoots for goal with a trademark left-footer but it’s straight at keeper Kingston

77 minutes:  Barnstaple millimetres away from a goal – substitute William Morrish has been on the pitch for just a few minutes and his volley from 15 yards hits the inside of the post and cannons across goal where it’s cleared

80 minutes:  A huge chance for Mousehole – Hayden Turner sprints clear from the halfway line with just the keeper in front of him, but he shoots wide of the post from just inside the area

90+2 minutes:  So close to a Seagulls’ late winner – Adel Gafaiti is up for Hayden Turner’s corner and his downward header from six yards is somehow kept out by keeper Kingston on the line, with Jared Sims driving the loose ball too high from an angle

90+5 minutes:  The visitors’ David Slade makes yet another vital interception from Callam Mconie’s pass through to Jared Sims

90+7 minutes:  The full-time whistle goes with a 1-1 scoreline in a match of high quality which either side could have won on the balance of play and chances created. The draw drops each team down a place in the table, but with several games in hand on all those above, except Shepton Mallet.

MOUSEHOLE (with used substitutes)

Lewis Moyle (GK), Steve Burt, Adel Gafaiti, Max Hill, Paulo Sousa, Tallan Mitchell, Reece Thomson (Jared Sims), Andy Elcock, Louis Price (Callam Mconie), Mark Goldsworthy (c) (Andy Watkins), Hayden Turner.  Other substitutes: Kyle Fraser, Mark Richards (injured)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Rowan Clarke (Referee), with Alan Hoon and Alan Smith (Assistant Referees)

ATTENDANCE: 124

NEXT FOR MOUSEHOLE

This Wednesday 5^th October, 7.45pm

HOME v Callington Town

Cornwall Senior Cup First Round

Saturday 8^th October, 3pm

HOME v Ilfracombe Town

Western League Premier Division

Tuesday 11^th October:

Away v Millbrook postponed because of floodlight problems

Saturday 15^th October, 3pm

HOME v Buckland Athletic

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 22^nd October, 3pm

Away v Lydney Town

Isuzu FA Vase First Round ‘Proper’

Saturday 29^th October, 3pm

Away v Barnstaple Town

Western League Premier

Mousehole have received a boost with the re-signing of stylish and experienced defender Adel Gafaiti.

Of French/Algerian heritage, the now-28 year old first joined Mousehole in 2018, having previously received his early footballing education at Glasgow Rangers and Norwich City.  He had also played at Under-20 international level for Algeria.

Impressive performances by the popular defender for Mousehole in the South West Peninsula League brought him to the attention of League Two side Yeovil Town, for whom he made 22 appearances, before joining Truro City (also 22 games), and later Step 2 club Hayes & Yeading.  More recently Adel has been playing in Croatia’s second tier.

Mousehole have been promoted from Step 7 to Step 5 since Adel was last on the books, so his range of experience at higher levels of football will be an asset to The Seagulls as they look to continue a good recent run of form.

Manager Jake Ash is delighted to have Adel on board:  “We have been working on this one since the back end of last season. Although I wasn’t at the club when Adel was here previously, I have heard nothing but good things both from those who saw him at Mousehole, but also from Truro City as well.  He is a commanding presence and at 28 he is a great age, but most importantly he will hopefully be able to help us build on the defensive solidity we have been focusing on of late.

Assistant manager Adam Fletcher does have first-hand knowledge of what Adel can offer to The Seagulls:  “We have stayed in contact since Adel left us for bigger things in 2018.  He’s someone I trust, and he’ll be a great example for others.  The timing of this move comes at a good moment for us and him, and we look forward to working with him until at least the new year.” 

After the club’s prompt receipt of international clearance, Adel is ready to be considered for selection for tomorrow’s home match against Barnstaple Town (Trungle Parc, Saturday 1^st October, 3pm), which features 5th-place hosting 4th with just a single point between them.

Falmouth Town 0-2 Mousehole

Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Wednesday 28^th September 2022

At Bickland Park

SUMMARY

On a very wet evening, Mousehole made it five wins and a draw in the last six matches, with this latest success moving them up to fifth place in the table, after a physical and argumentative encounter producing a total of nine cards including two sendings-off for the home side.

MATCH PREVIEW

Tonight, it’s the West Cornwall local derby as Falmouth Town host Mousehole, hoping to avenge their narrow 3-2 defeat at Trungle Parc at the beginning of the month.

On that occasion, the Town came close to a win by hitting the woodwork with the score at 2-2 with just a couple of minutes left, only for The Seagulls to grab all three points with a 90^th minute goal.

Falmouth have not lost at home in the League this season after their magnificent treble-winning 2021/22 promotion campaign.  They currently lie below half-way in the table with nine points from nine games and will surely be fired up tonight to prove they can compete strongly at Western League level.

Mousehole have not lost since their FA Cup exit at lowly Torpoint Athletic on 20^th August and start tonight on the back of last Saturday’s excellent 5-1 FA Vase triumph at Shepton Mallet.

Mousehole will field an unchanged starting eleven, with youngster Lewis Moyle keeping his place in goal after Saturday’s confident performance in Ollie Chenoweth’s absence, but captain Jack Calver, Josh Otto and Andy Watkins are all missing.

The drizzle has continued for most of the day, with proper rain forecast for later, but that doesn’t seem to have deterred what looks like a big crowd.

Mousehole are kicking towards the Packet End, where most of the Falmouth supporters are situated.

KEY POINTS OF THE MATCH

2 minutes:  Louis Price attacks the home defence and drives in a 25-yard left-footer which keeper Ryan Barnes flings himself across to keep out

9 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  It’s been a positive start for the visitors and MAX HILL makes the advantage count as he instantly volleys into the roof of the net from a knock-down following Hayden Turner’s corner on the right.   The tall central defender has a habit of scoring rare but important goals.

12 minutes:  Mousehole make a mistake outside their own penalty area, but Lewis Moyle makes a great diving save from Jack Bray-Evans’ low shot

19 minutes:  Falmouth make a quick break, but the end shot is high and wide as the defence closes in

21 minutes:  Former Seagulls’ player Tim Nixon curls in a long cross from the left but it doesn’t bend enough as it sails past the far post with Lewis Moyle covering the trajectory

32 minutes:  Mousehole have had plenty of possession, but Falmouth are quick to advance when they get the ball.  Tim Nixon’s cross into space in the penalty area is just too far ahead of Jack Webber

37 minutes:  Sending-off for Falmouth Town. Max Hill makes an alert interception ahead of Luke Brabyn on the edge of the six-yard box, and as Tallan Mitchell completes the clearance the Falmouth captain clatters into him with a very late studs-raised tackle that fells the Mousehole midfielder.  Referee James Long is close enough to see the exact nature of the foul and instantly issues a red card, with no protest from the home side.  The prostrate Mousehole player receives five minutes of on-field treatment, and the home side will play for nearly an hour with ten men.

42 minutes:  As play resumes, the Falmouth players and management are suddenly voicing loud criticism of the Referee’s decisions, and an unpleasant atmosphere has descended on the match.

45+7 minutes:  At half-time the visitors hold a 1-0 lead.  There’s an unseemly scuffle between the Falmouth management and the Mousehole players as they leave the field.

The second half

46 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Mark Richards is replaced by Jared Sims.  The re-shuffle sees Reece Thomson drop back into central defence.

48 minutes:  Huge chance for the ten men to equalise – Tim Nixon supplies a low cross towards the far post, but the onrushing Jack Bray-Evans can’t control the shot and it goes over the bar

54 minutes:  Tom Annear arrives on the edge of Mousehole’s penalty area and puts a first-time volley narrowly over the bar.  A warning – the home side have been playing with renewed vigour and purpose, no doubt spurred on by the half-time team talk

56 minutes:  A Mousehole corner drops to Reece Thomson who turns and shoots past the angle from 12 yards

57 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Louis Price is replaced by Callam Mconie

62 minutes:  The substitute puts a corner into the crowded Falmouth penalty area, there’s a scramble and a shot on goal is blocked.  Tom Annear is unhappy with something and continues to argue with the Referee – and is promptly sent to the Sin Bin for ten minutes

65 minutes:  Hayden Turner races down the wing and is halted by a tackle from behind.  Tim Nixon is so outraged by the Referee’s decision to give a foul that he too is Sin Binned.  Falmouth now down to eight on the field.  Will their indiscipline prove to be costly, and can Mousehole exploit the advantage?

68 minutes:  Keeper Ryan Barnes keeps his beleaguered team in the match, blocking Callam Mconie’s close-range shot with his legs

70 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell shoots low from inside the area, the ball hits the post and flies into Ryan Barnes’ grasp

71 minutes:  Ryan Barnes makes a tremendous save from Mark Goldsworthy’s glancing header

72 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  The visitors have been stroking the ball around to exploit the extra space, and a carefully worked build-up gives ANDY ELCOCK room to drive in a low shot from 18 yards that slithers on the wet surface under Ryan Barnes’ outstretched dive.  2-0 to the visitors.  What can the hosts do when the two sin-binned players are back on?

74 minutes:  Hayden Turner’s long cross beyond the far post is expertly turned back in by Jared Sims to an unattended Mark Goldsworthy, who puts his header over

78 minutes:    Tallan Mitchell collides with Jack Webber and the Falmouth players crowd round the Referee in protest.  But it’s only a free kick.

79 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Mark Goldsworthy is replaced by Moussa Diallo, as torrential rain arrives

81 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Tallan Mitchell is replaced by Paulo Sousa

89 minutes:  Tom Annear hammers in a trademark left foot shot from distance but it’s some way over the bar

90+4 minutes:  Callam Mconie has a one-on-one chance, but Ryan Barnes comes out on top

90+5 minutes:  At full-time the scoreline reads:  Falmouth Town 0-2 Mousehole.  Falmouth’s indiscipline has spoiled what might have otherwise been a closer affair.  Nevertheless, Mousehole have stood up well and showed ample character, on top of their style and organisation, to get the three points.

After the whistle, there’s a fracas among the players in front of the Packet End involving Moussa Diallo and a group of Falmouth players, with the Mousehole player being shown a yellow card and the hosts’ Scott Kellow a red.

MOUSEHOLE (with used substitutes)

Lewis Moyle (GK), Steve Burt, Mark Richards (Jared Sims), Max Hill, Kyle Fraser, Reece Thomson, Tallan Mitchell (Paulo Sousa), Andy Elcock, Louis Price (Callam Mconie), Mark Goldsworthy (Moussa Diallo), Hayden Turner.  Other substitute:  Jack Symons

MATCH OFFICIALS

James Long (Referee), with Dave Rowe and Max Davies (Assistant Referees)

ATTENDANCE:  511

NEXT FOR MOUSEHOLE

This Saturday, 1^st October, 3pm

HOME v Barnstaple Town

Western League Premier

Mousehole 5^th with 18 points versus Barnstaple 4^th with 19 points

Next Wednesday, 5^th October, 7.45pm

HOME v Callington Town

Cornwall Senior Cup First Round

The Step 6 visitors from SWPL, currently with 7 points from 9 games

Saturday 8^th October, 3pm

HOME v Ilfracombe Town

Western League PremierCurrently, the visitors with 9 points from 8 games

Shepton Mallet 1-5 Mousehole

Isuzu FA Vase Second Qualifying Round

Saturday 24^th September 2022

At West Shepton Playing Fields

SUMMARY

The strength in depth of this season’s Mousehole squad was in full evidence as they reserved their best overall performance so far to record an impressive away victory in a repeat of the result achieved this time last year

PREVIEW

By a remarkable co-incidence, Mousehole return to north Somerset today almost exactly a year to the day since a memorable occasion at the same venue at the same stage of the same cup competition.

On 25^th September 2021, The Seagulls travelled to The Mallet, who were then enjoying an unbeaten season without conceding a goal at home, and achieved an against-the-odds win through an Andy Elcock strike within five minutes, followed by a tremendous defensive display including playing the last half-hour with ten men and a defiant performance by stand-in keeper Jimmy Weeks.

Today, history repeats itself in more ways than one, with the hosts currently having a 100% League record to stand in third place after winning all seven games, and Mousehole in sixth place with 15 points from eight games, with three wins and a draw from the last four.

Last season, the two League games between the teams also proved to be very interesting.  A 2-2 draw at Shepton thanks to a masterclass in goalkeeping by Ollie Chenoweth, was followed later by a sombre memorial occasion at Trungle Parc marking the 40^th anniversary of the Penlee Lifeboat Tragedy, at which the Solomon Browne Stand was officially opened by RNLI.  That match will also be remembered for an 80^th minute Mousehole goal from a disputed free kick, and an even later red card (rescinded afterwards on appeal) for Ollie Chenoweth, with outfield substitute Jonny Ludlam taking over the gloves and producing arguably the save of the season to preserve a 1-0 win.

Today’s Mousehole team news is that captain Jack Calver and Josh Otto remain sidelined through injury, Callam Mconie and Paulo Sousa are unwell, and Ollie Chenoweth is unavailable.  Youngster Lewis Moyle is in goal – the fourth different goalkeeper to face Shepton in four games!  Kyle Fraser makes his third appearance of the season on the left side of defence.  The substitutes include 16-year old defender Ned Symons, another youngster from the successful Development team given a taste of First team matchday experience.

Today’s tie will be decided by a penalty shoot-out if the scores are level at the end of normal time. 

The winners will be through to FA Vase First Round Proper on Saturday 22^nd October, with the draw taking place at lunchtime on Monday 26^th September.

The weather is fine, the pitch is in good condition, and Mousehole are kicking up the slope in the first half.

KEY POINTS OF THE MATCH

2 minutes:  Hayden Turner makes a great break down the left into the home penalty area, and his inside pass gives Reece Thomson a shooting chance but the effort is blocked

3 minutes:  The hosts have a half-chance which is sliced wide

4 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Hayden Turner’s pass inside to Reece Thomson is moved quickly on to the right, where LOUIS PRICE goes outside his marker and drives the ball fiercely into the roof of the net.  1-0 to the visitors early on, just like last season!  A deadly finish from a great move.

10 minutes:  Louis Price makes a forceful run and feeds Hayden Turner, whose shot on goal is blocked

12 minutes:  The Mallet are awarded a highly debatable free kick just 19 yards out – The Seagulls defence does its job at the expense of a corner

15 minutes:  Lewis Moyle shows great reflexes to keep out Ieuan Crowe’s one-on-one chance

26 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  A scintillating passing move inside from the right opens up space for KYLE FRASER 25 yards out and his left-foot shot fizzes past keeper Tom Easterbrook high into the net.  A stunning goal from an unexpected source.

28 minutes:  Reece Thomson sends in a low shot from 25 yards and Easterbrook goes full-length to beat it out just inside the post

43 minutes:  Shepton Mallet get a sight of goal, Aaron Seviour volleying too high as the ball drops invitingly on the edge of the box

45 minutes:  Lewis Moyle has seen a lot of the ball in this half, mainly from crosses and corners, and his handling and distribution have been impeccable.

45+2 minutes:  It’s half-time and Mousehole’s dominant first-half performance is rewarded with a 2-0 lead.

The second half:

49 minutes:  As expected, the hosts have started after the interval on the front foot.  Lewis Moyle does well to tip a goalbound shot from distance on to the crossbar for a corner

51 minutes:  Mousehole’s young keeper is again in action, diving at full stretch to push out a low 30-yard free kick

56 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Shepton’s keeper Tom Easterbrook is noted for playing as an extra defensive ‘sweeper’ when his side are upfield on the attack – but this time he’s caught out.  Mousehole regain possession and play the ball forward quickly to HAYDEN TURNER with his back to goal on the left half-way line.  The striker turns and floats a perfect right-foot shot over the keeper and into the net for a 3-0 lead – three goals of superb quality.

59 minutes:  Easterbrook is again in trouble as the tireless Mark Goldsworthy robs him of the ball in a one-on-one chase and rolls the ball from a difficult angle across the gaping goal with the home defence relieved to clear the ball away

60 minutes:  A Mallet volley goes wide from 25 yards

62 minutes:  At the other end Reece Thomson is unlucky when a great header from Hayden Turner’s corner comes back off the crossbar

63 minutes:  The alert Lewis Moyle keeps out Ieuan Crowe’s snapshot for a corner

64 minutes:  It’s end-to-end at the moment, with Mark Goldsworthy breaking forward and Hayden Turner’s shot deflected for a corner.  From the corner Tallan Mitchell drives over from an angle.

71 minutes:  GOAL FOR SHEPTON MALLET – a close-range shot into the roof of the net as Mousehole clear an angles shot off the line.  Scoreline is now 1-3 and the home side will no doubt try to step up the pressure.

72 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Mark Goldsworthy is replaced by Andy Watkins

Fifteen minutes left:  The hosts are now having more possession, with Mousehole looking to play on the break

76 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Reece Thomson is replaced by Jared Sims

80 minutes:  The visitors’ defence is under siege.  Mark Richards is the hero as he puts himself in the way of a close-range shot that looked like a certain goal

82 minutes:  Mousehole’s final substitute – Louis Price is replaced by Moussa Diallo

85 minutes:  Mousehole seem to have weathered the storm, are coping comfortably and keeping the ball better.  Jared Sims is in space on the left of the home box and fires in a low shot towards the far corner, forcing a sprawling save from Easterbrook

86 minutes:  Mousaa Diallo outpaces the home defence and prods the ball past the advancing keeper – and just wide

88 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Tallan Mitchell races to the byeline on the left and sends across a perfect ball towards the far post where ANDY WATKINS arrives with precise timing to score with a diving header.  Shepton Mallet 1-4 Mousehole.  Another excellent goal – and at just the right time to dampen any prospect of a late Mallet comeback

90 minutes:  A Shepton free kick is lofted into a crowded penalty area where the ball ricochets around for a goal kick, with Tallan Mitchell injured in the fray

90+5 minutes:  The home side try again from 30 yards – it’s deflected for a corner

90+6 minutes:  The corner is cleared off the line for another corner, which is safely dealt with

90+ 7 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  ANDY ELCOCK saunters in from the right, suddenly accelerates past two defenders and into space inside the area, where he unleashes an unstoppable angled shot past Easterbrook.  Five great goals, five different scorers!

90+8 minutes:  The full-time whistle goes with the final score Shepton Mallet 1-5 Mousehole, to end a magnificent performance which showed Mousehole at their very best in every department.  It’s a big win at the start of a big week for The Seagulls as they look to take this form into the next two important league games.  

🥅 | ALL FIVE GOALS from yesterday's @IsuzuFAVase win over @Mallet_AFC@favasefactfile @Cornishfootball @swsportsnews @NonLeagueCrowd #nonleague #mafc #seagulls

— 𝗠𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗙𝗖 (@MouseholeAFC) September 25, 2022

MOUSEHOLE (with used substitutes)

Lewis Moyle (GK), Steve Burt, Mark Richards (C), Max Hill, Kyle Fraser, Reece Thomson (Jared Sims), Tallan Mitchell, Andy Elcock, Louis Price (Moussa Diallo), Mark Goldsworthy (Andy Watkins), Hayden Turner

Other substitutes: Charlie Willis, Ned Symons

MATCH OFFICIALS

James Knowles (Referee) with Benjamin Taylor and Nicholas Hull (Assistant Referees)

ATTENDANCE:  227

NEXT FOR MOUSEHOLE

This Wednesday, 28^th September, 7.45pm

Away v Falmouth Town

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 1^st October, 3pm

HOME v Barnstaple Town

Western League Premier Division

Wednesday 5^th October, 7.30pm

HOME v CALLINGTON TOWN

Cornwall Senior Cup First Round

Saturday 8^th October, 3pm

HOME v Ilfracombe Town

Western League Premier Division

Tuesday 11^th October, 7.45pm

Away v Millbrook

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 15^th October, 3pm

HOME v Buckland Athletic

Western League Premier Division

Mousehole 2-0 Sherborne Town

Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Saturday 17^th September 2022

At Trungle Parc

SUMMARY

Two goals in the last 15 minutes saw Mousehole eventually earn a hard-fought three points against recently promoted Sherborne Town, who proved to be one of the most organised and determined teams seen this season

MATCH PREVIEW

Today, it’s Seagulls versus Zebras as Dorset side Sherborne Town make their first ever visit to Trungle Parc.

Mousehole are in 7^th place in the WLP table, with 12 points from seven games, made up of three wins, three draws and one defeat.  Their last match was a 3-3 draw on Tuesday at second-place Saltash United, thanks to a 92^nd-minute equaliser by centre-back Mark Richards.

Sherborne Town were promoted as champions of WL Division One at the end of last season, with a superb record of just three defeats in 40 games, 99 points and 124 goals scored. 

This campaign they’re doing well at the higher level, with ten points from eight games to stand in 9th position, having three wins and one draw, but four defeats have included two in a row at home against bottom club Keynsham Town and, on Wednesday, unbeaten Shepton Mallet.  Before that, however, they gained a commendable 1-1 draw away at Helston Athletic.

Mousehole’s main team news is that captain Jack Calver is out with an injury sustained at Saltash, and Steve Burt reverts from midfield to right-back with Josh Otto still injured

The weather is sunny and warm with a slight breeze, and the afternoon’s forecast is fine

Before kick off a minute’s silence is held in memory of the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II

KEY POINTS OF THE MATCH

Mousehole are kicking towards the Cricket End.

3 minutes:  Sherborne have made a bright start and come close with a far-post header from a right wing corner

14 minutes:  The visitors’ Ashley Guppy shows great speed on the right but his run comes to nothing

18 minutes:  There are raised expectation among Seagulls’ supporters as Moussa Diallo prepares to take a free kick in a central position about 35 yards out, but he can’t repeat his recent set-piece goals against Street and Falmouth as the shot swerves just wide of the angle of post and crossbar with keeper Josh Attwood able only to watch and hope

Half-way through the first half – the game is being played at a frantic pace, with lots of misplaced passes, and it’s been relatively uneventful in front of goal

29 minutes:  Keeper Attwood comes out quickly to win the race after Hayden Turner puts Andy Watkins in on goal

31 minutes:  Home keeper Ollie Chenoweth does the same at the other end to deny Oliver Risp

34 minutes:  Reece Thomson sets up Tallan Mitchell for a one-on-one chance, with Attwood palming away the lobbed shot and the Mousehole midfielder a few millimetres too high from 35 yards with the keeper back-pedalling

38 minutes:  Guppy again races forward on the right for The Zebras and his danger-laden low cross is cleared away from in front of goal by Steve Burt

44 minutes:  Moussa Diallo drives in a fierce low 35-yarder which Attwood just about gathers

45+5 minutes:  It’s nil-nil at half-time, with Mousehole starting to exert a bit more control in the later stages, but not able to find their usual rhythm against well organised opponents who could pose a threat up front

The second half

56 minutes:  Nothing much has happened since the interval, but suddenly Mouusa Diallo lets fly from 25 yards and forces Attwood into a well-judged save

64 minutes:  Mousehole are fortunate to gain a free kick just outside the Sherborne 18-yard line after what looked like a 50/50 tackle.  After Referee McCulloch has finished dealing with the visitors’ complaints, Moussa Diallo strikes a fierce shot just under the crossbar, where keeper Attwood pushes the ball up and then palms it out for a corner – good goalkeeping, and perhaps justice done

65 minutes:  Mousehole substitutes – Moussa Diallo is replaced by Callam Mconie, and Andy Watkins by Mark Goldsworthy

70 minutes:  Mousehole are getting on top and making inroads in the visitors’ half.  Hayden Turner crosses hard and low, Attwood spills it at the near post, and Reece Thomson just can’t manage to turn it over the line as defenders converge to save the day for their team

75 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE – Callam Mconie makes a great run past several opponents from the right into midfield and slots an inch-perfect pass inside the full back for HAYDEN TURNER to sweep the ball low into the far corner from ten yards.  Mousehole have had to work very hard to get this lead.

80 minutes:  Mousehole come close to a second goal, the ball rebounding off the post in a crowded box and then hacked off the line.

81 minutes:  A big chance to double the lead is wasted, with Hayden Turner well placed in the box but shooting over from Tallan Mitchell’s lay back

83 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Hayden Turner is replaced by Louis Price

87 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Reece Thomson is replaced by Jared Sims

88 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE – a driven corner from the left skims off heads to the far post where CALLAM MCONIE nods the ball into the roof of the net.  Score now 2-0.  Another in the recent series of late Mousehole goals.

90 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Tallan Mitchell is replaced by Kyle Fraser

90+4 minutes: Callam Mconie turns and shoots right-footed wide of the post from 18 yards

90+5 minutes:  The Seagulls’ wingman repeats the process with more accuracy and Attwood goes full length to keep the ball out at his near post

90+6 minutes:  Mousehole keeper Ollie Chenoweth has not had much to do for a while, but in his first serious save of the whole match he has to be both alert and agile to beat out Ashley Guppy’s 35-yard drive that’s about to go into the top corner.  A ‘clean sheet’ achieved, just the second of the season!

90+7 minutes:  At full time it’s Mousehole 2-0 Sherborne Town – hard work and patience have eventually paid dividends for the hosts, who go up two places in the League table, while the visitors can feel justifiably satisfied with their performance.

MOUSEHOLE (with used substitutes)

Ollie Cenoweth (GK), Steve Burt, Mark Richards (C), Max Hill, Paulo Sousa, Tallan Mitchell (Kyle Fraser), Reece Thomson (Jared Sims), Andy Elcock, Hayden Turner (Louis Price), Andy Watkins (Mark Goldsworthy), Moussa Diallo (Callam Mconie)

MATCH OFFICIALS

Stephen McCulloch (referee) with Adam Price and Eric Sleeman (Assistant Referees)

ATTENDANCE: 137

NEXT FOR MOUSEHOLE

Saturday 24^th September, 3pm

Away v Shepton Mallet

FA Vase Second Qualifying Round

(Coach seats available for supporters)

Wednesday 28^th September, 7.45pm

Away v Falmouth Town

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 1^st October, 3pm

HOME v Barnstaple Town

Western League Premier Division

Wednesday 5^th October, 7.30pm

HOME v Callington Town

Cornwall Senior Cup First Round

Saturday 8^th October, 3pm

HOME v Ilfracombe Town

Western League Premier Division

Saltash United 3-3 Mousehole

Western League Premier Division

Tuesday 13^th September 2022

At Waterways Stadium

SUMMARY

In a match full of talking points and controversial moments, Mousehole continued their movement up the League table with an injury-time equaliser, after conceding the advantage of a half-time lead against their unbeaten Cornish rivals.

MATCH PREVIEW

It’s the second-place Ashes hosting the ninth-placed Seagulls as East meets West in what’s now classed as a ‘Cornwall Derby’.

The two sides met earlier at Trungle Parc in the second fixture of the season, the game finishing in a 1-1 draw in front of 212 spectators.

Saltash’s League record is six wins and two draws from their eight matches, while Mousehole have played six, won three drawn two and lost one.

Mousehole have won their last two games, 5-1 against Street and 3-2 against Falmouth Town, the latter achieved with a 90^th minute goal.

Saltash’s last match saw a 4-3 away win at local rivals Torpoint Athletic this time last week.

Mousehole’s team news is that Wadebridge Town’s Sam Gerken is in for the injured Josh Otto on the right side of defence.

It’s continued to rain for most of the day and the pitch surface is likely to be a bit slippery.

KEY POINTS OF THE MATCH

1 minute:  Hayden Turner’s low cross from the right is cleared away in front of the home goal

4 minutes:  Hayden Turner is in action again, this time coming in from the left and driving right-footed too high from 20 yards

7 minutes:  Mousehole’s positive start continues with Moussa Diallo’s left-wing cross to the near post headed across goal and out by Hayden Turner

10 minutes:  Referee Mike Lazarus issues a yellow card to Andy Elcock after a mistimed tackle on the halfway line, with several Saltash players angrily demanding a more severe punishment

15 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  A scintillating move the length of the pitch involving five players enables Andy Watkins to put Hayden Turner into space to the right of goal and his low cross gives MOUSSA DIALLO a tap-in at the far post – the youngster’s fourth goal in four matches since arriving at the end of August.

18 minutes:  Mousehole look to extend their lead, Saltash keeper Jordan Duffey just beating Tallan Mitchell to Jack Calver’s long ball forward

21 minutes:  Nearly halfway through the first period and the hosts get their first sight of goal, Jake Miller getting himself into a good position but firing high and wide

25 minutes:  GOAL FOR SALTASH UNITED.  The visitors lose possession on their right, the ball is passed inside across the six-yard box, where Mark Richards is well placed to clear but loses his footing, leaving SAM FARRANT to convert an easy chance for the equaliser

29 minutes:  Saltash players again surround Referee Lazarus after Andy Elcock concedes a free kick in the centre circle

33 minutes:  Keeper Duffey once more comes racing out to get to Jack Calver’s through ball ahead of Hayden Turner

36 minutes:  Andy Elcock steals the ball in midfield and is promptly felled by an ugly off-the-ground two-footed tackle.  Fortunately the Mousehole play-maker is not seriously injured.  The Saltash players persuade the Referee it’s only a yellow card.   

40 minutes:  Ashes centre back Callum O’Brien volleys wide inside the area as the ball drops down from a free kick

41 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  ANDY WATKINS starts and finishes a great move – threading a defence-splitting pass through to Hayden Turner speeding into the area on the left with a right foot shot against the far post, and the veteran striker anticipating the flight of the rebound to sweep the ball into the net

44 minutes:  Jack Calver makes a long run down the left and drives an angled shot which Duffey grabs by his near post at the second attempt

45 minutes:  Referee Lazarus sees nothing wrong after loud appeals for hand-ball as Saltash’s last-man Dave Barker uses some part of his upper body to block a forward pass that would have put Moussa Diallo clean through on goal – that would surely have been a red card offence for the Saltash captain if awarded

45+1 minutes:  The game has become tense and scrappy, with frequent stoppages.

45+2 minutes:  There’s a mere two minutes of added-on time, leaving Mousehole 2-1 in the lead after a positive opening period in which they probably deserved more.

OUR GOALS FROM LAST NIGHT 🎞️#nonleague #mafc #seagulls @Cornishfootball @swsportsnews @saltashunited @tswlfans

— 𝗠𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗘 𝗔𝗙𝗖 (@MouseholeAFC) September 14, 2022

The second half:

47 minutes;  GOAL FOR SALTASH UNITED.  A highly debatable and much disputed decision.  There’s a coming-together between Mousehole’s Steve Burt and Saltash’s Alex Cairo as they compete for the ball just inside the box – and as the home attacker falls to the ground the Referee instantly signals a penalty, which DAVE BARKER converts to put the scores level. 

54 minutes:  Ollie Chenoweth makes a great low save from Sam Farrant’s 18-yard drive

60 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – injured captain Jack Calver is replaced by Paulo Sousa on the left side of defence

61 minutes:  Keeper Duffey flaps at Hayden Turner’s left-sided cross and is fortunate there’s no Mousehole player near enough to take advantage as the ball drops

63 minutes:  Mark Richards makes a vital clearance in front of goal as Saltash step up the physical pressure

66 minutes:  Sam Hughes creates a chance for himself as he turns in the box but Mousehole’s defence closes down the attempted shot

71 minutes:  GOAL FOR SALTASH UNITED.  Oliie Chenoweth parries a fierce shot by Sam Farrant and JAKE MILLER is first to the loose ball to drive into the roof of the net from a narrow angle.  The hosts are in the lead for the first time in the match .

72 minutes:  Mousehole substitutes – Moussa Diallo is replaced by Callam Mconie

73 minutes:  The new substitute is hacked down by a late tackle as he surges forward on the right but referee Lazarus waves play on

74 minutes:  Mousehole continue to try to play football their way – Andy Watkins cleverly puts Hayden Turner in on the left and his square pass into the danger area is scrambled away

79 minutes:  Mousehole substitutes – Steve Burt is replaced by former Saltash player Reece Thomson, and Tallan Mitchell by Mark Goldsworthy, the latter for his first taste of action after five injury-hit months

85 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Sam Gerken is replaced by Louis Price, giving the visitors a distinctly attacking look

86 minutes:  Reece Thomson powers a header towards the far corner from Hayden Turner’s free kick and keeper Duffey saves his under-pressure side with a full-length save

87 minutes:  Saltash are now relying on breakaways.  Mike Smith looks to have bundled Max Hill crudely off the ball in mid-air, but is allowed to continue towards goal, only for his shot to be blocked

89 minutes:  Hayden Turner’s long cross towards the far post is nodded down by Reece Thomson and grabbed by keeper Duffey

90 minutes:  Mousehole are right on top, but how much time will the referee add on for all the many stoppages?

90+2:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Hayden Turner hurls a long throw into the crowded Saltash area, the heads go up, the keeper comes out, the ball goes goalwards and MARK RICHARDS diverts it into the net with the back of his shoulder – scrappy but richly deserved, and another very late goal, as against Falmouth Town

90+3 minutes:  That’s full-time, with a scoreline Saltash United 3-3 Mousehole.  A good point for The Seagulls against the team in second place and in a game where they needed to show character to overcome the odds.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Mike Lazarus (Referee) with Paul Redding and Steven Godfrey (Assistant Referees)

ATTENDANCE:  134

NEXT FOR MOUSEHOLE:

This Saturday, 17^th September:

HOME v Sherborne Town

Western League Premier, 3pm

Saturday 24^th September

Away v Shepton Mallet

FA Vase Second Qualifying Round, 3pm

(Coach seats available for supporters)

Wednesday 28^th September

Away v Falmouth Town

WLP, 7.45pm

Saturday 1^st October

HOME v Barnstaple Town WLP, 3pm

Mousehole 3-2 Falmouth Town

Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Saturday 3rd September 2022

Ất Trungle Parc

SUMMARY

With plenty of tension and thrills for both sets of supporters in an end-to-end encounter, Mousehole’s come-back victory from a half-time deficit maintained their recent upturn in form and deprived the Town of their first away point of the season 

PREVIEW

With both Mousehole and Falmouth knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup two weeks ago, today’s now-vacant First Qualifying Round date has been filled by bringing forward the home League fixture that was scheduled for a midweek slot later in the month.

On a curious point in recent history, Mousehole and Falmouth Town – separated by less than 30 miles – have faced each other just three times in League competition. 

The last occasion was a 0-0 draw at Bickland Park in the opening fixture of the 2019/20 season in the SWPL – Jake Ash’s first game in charge as Mousehole’s manager, against the club where he started his playing career.

They had previously met home and away in the Cornwall Combination League in 1983/84 with Falmouth winning by an 8-0 aggregate.

Falmouth’s last visit to Trungle Parc was in their 8-0 Throgmorton Cup victory over ten years ago.

This season, Mousehole have two League wins (both by 5-1, the last at Home against Street on Bank Holiday Monday), two draws and one defeat.  

Falmouth have played one game more, and have recorded two home wins, one home draw and three away defeats – so will be looking to get their first away result this afternoon. 

The return League fixture is at Bickland Park is in just over three weeks’ time, on Wednesday 28th September, kick off 7.45pm

It’s a wet, windy and cool day here at Trungle Parc, with the weather having significantly reduced the anticipated size of the crowd, though there’s a fair contingent of Falmouth fans making their presence seen and heard.

THE KEY POINTS OF THE MATCH

Mousehole are kicking towards the Cricket Club End.  Falmouth are playing in all-white.  The rain has stopped.

9 minutes:  First chance to Falmouth as Moussa Diallo steps on the ball on the half-way line, leaving Luke Brabyn to make a 40-yard break into space on the right and drive a right-foot shot from an angle which is pushed out for a corner by Ollie Chenoweth at his near post

11 minutes:  At the other end, Jack Symons sets up Moussa Diallo for a run and low shot from 18 yards, well kept out by keeper Zac Telling, with Hayden Turner firing the loose ball first time but wide of the far post

18 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Reece Thomson is pushed over after a penetrating run towards goal, and MOUSSA DIALLO fires the free-kick from 25 yards high into the net to Telling’s left.  A spectacular goal to match the youngster’s debut score on Monday against Street – the same end of the ground, the same dead-ball situation, a similar distance and position, an identical outcome.

23 minutes:  A half-chance for Falmouth as Luke Barner and Mark Richards contest a through-ball, with Ollie Chenoweth saving the low 10-yard shot at the foot of the post

32 minutes:  Moussa Diallo receives Reece Thomson’s pass in space on the left, brings the ball inside on to his right foot and shoots – keeper Telling does well to parry it out for a corner

34 minutes:  Hayden Turner sprints to the byeline on the right and his cross is deflected away in front of goal

37 minutes:  There have been lots of slippages on the wet surface.  Hayden Turner gives Moussa Diallo a shooting chance from 18 yards – it’s too high

42 minutes:  GOAL FOR FALMOUTH TOWN.  Luke Barner puts in a long-range rising drive which Ollie Chenoweth manages to get to, but the ball drops invitingly to the well-positioned TIM NIXON who controls calmly and shoots low into the net from 10 yards.  The former Seagull has levelled the scores with an opportunist strike, against the balance of play.

44 minutes:  GOAL FOR FALMOUTH TOWN.  A free kick in a central position 25 yards out is swerved into the net via the underside of the crossbar by TIM NIXON.  Two goals in two minutes!  

Half time (45+3 minutes):  It’s 2-1 to the visitors who have made the most of their chances despite looking second best in the opening period, and it’s an ex-Mousehole League and Cup double winner who’s done the damage!

46 minutes:  Mousehole’s half-time substitutes – Reece Thomson is replaced by Andy Watkins, and Jack Symons by Andy Elcock

48 minutes:  Moussa Diallo’s long cross from the right is just too far ahead of Hayden Turner who can’t nudge it in at the far post

58 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  After some patient build-up play outside the visitors’ penalty area, MOUSSA DIALLO skates past a couple of defenders with superb balance and prods the ball past the advancing keeper from 8 yards for his second goal of the game and his third in two matches since arriving at Trungle Parc.  It’s 2-2 and more than half an hour to come!

61 minutes:  Jack Calver puts a dangerous ball into Falmouth’s six-yard box where Tom Annear makes a timely clearance to snuff out the chance

62 minutes:  Hayden Turner’s cross into a crowded area is met with a bit of head-tennis and cleared off the line, as Mousehole step up the pressure

64 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell’s corner kick is headed goalwards by Mark Richards and keeper Telling gets across well to palm it away at the far post

65 minutes:  Falmouth are given the opportunity to punish casual play in Mousehole’s back line, but Mark Richards is alert to the danger and clears up

65 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Tallan Mitchell is replaced by Callam Mconie

68 minutes:  Half-way through the second period, Falmouth are coming back into the game.  Both sides’ supporters are drumming up the volume.  Last-man Max Hill makes a well-timed tackle to halt substitute Alex Wharton’s progress on the 18-yard line

70 minutes:  Falmouth are trying to thread passes through to runners in the Mousehole penalty area – they’re well thought-out but not quite accurate enough

71 minutes:  Close for Falmouth!  Luke Brabyn goes past three defenders in the home area on the right and Ollie Chenoweth is forced into a vital block at the near post

73 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – the badly-injured Josh Otto is replaced by Louis Price, who goes to left-back with Jack Calver moving over to the right

77 minutes:  The new substitute gives the ball away in the danger area, but Falmouth fail to take advantage with a hurried shot over the bar

79 minutes:  Luke Barner has a huge chance to restore Falmouth’s lead as he fastens on to a loose ball and fires wide of the post from an unchallenged position 10 yards out

80 minutes: Ten minutes to go – Falmouth are making life uncomfortable for Mousehole.  This  game could go either way.

84 minutes;  Mousehole substitute – Steve Burt is replaced by Jared Sims

85 minutes:  Mousehole break forward at speed, Andy Watkins is held back when surging through on the edge of the box, but Referee Lee Roberts waves play on

87 minutes:  Falmouth continue to threaten and are inches away from a winner. Tim Nixon floats a 30-yard free kick in to a crowd at the far post where the ball somehow ricochets off Ollie Chenoweth and the woodwork

90 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  It’s been end-to-end excitement for a while, with neither side prepared to settle for the draw.  A left-sided corner comes across, it’s glanced beyond the far post, Mark Richards instantly scoops the ball back inside and the quick-thinking ANDY WATKINS instantly turns it over the line from six yards.  The hosts regain the lead right at the end – although there’s likely still to be quite a few minutes of added time.  

Full time (90+7 minutes):  The last few minutes have produced no new drama and the final score is Mousehole 3-2 Falmouth Town.  

That’s the end of 100 minutes of a tightly-fought contest, swinging one way then the other, with not much to separate the two sides who deserve credit for making it a great game of football.  

Falmouth will take many positives in their search for away points, while Mousehole move up the table in the direction they want – and next Saturday they have the chance to exact revenge for their FA Cup exit when Torpoint Athletic visit Trungle Parc.

MOUSEHOLE (with used substitutes):

Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Josh Otto (Louis Price), Mark Richards, Max Hill, Jack Calver (C), Steve Burt (Jared Sims),Tallan Mitchell (Callam Mconie), Jack Symons (Andy Elcock), Hayden Turner, Reece Thomson (Andy Watkins), Moussa Diallo

MATCH OFFICIALS

Lee Roberts (Referee) with Neil Rudkin & Rowan Clarke (Assistant Referees)

ATTENDANCE;  227

SEPTEMBER FIXTURES FOR MOUSEHOLE 

Next Saturday, 10th, 3pm

HOME v Torpoint Athletic, WLP

Tuesday 13th, 7.45pm

Away v Saltash United, WLP

Saturday 17th, 3pm

HOME v Sherborne Town, WLP

Saturday 24th, 3pm

Away v Shepton Mallet, FA Vase 2QR

Wednesday 28th, 7.45pm

Away v Falmouth Town, WLP