Exmouth Town 3-0  Mousehole

Western League Premier Division

Wednesday 9^th March 2022

At Southern Road

Summary

Mousehole were out-gunned by their hard-working promotion-chasing rivals on a soggy evening on the south Devon coast, where the conditions generally worked against The Seagulls’ style of play

Pre-match points

It’s a really big match between second and third in the race for promotion from the Western League Premier to the Southern League at Step 4.  A win for Exmouth would see them go just a point behind leaders Tavistock, while victory for Mousehole would take them to within three points of the top spot with two games in hand.  Whatever the result tonight, the return fixture at Mousehole on 26^th March could be even more important.

This match was originally scheduled by the League for Saturday 30^th April – the last match of the season – but was re-arranged after the FA announced that date would be reserved for the non-league play-offs.

Two seasons ago, Mousehole – then in the league below – visited Exmouth Town in their first-ever FA Vase tie and gained a creditable 0-0 draw at full time before losing in the penalty shoot-out.

Callam Mconie returns to the match-day squad after a three-match suspension, replacing Andy Elcock on the substitutes’ bench in the only change from last Saturday’s 3-0 win at home against Ilfracombe Town.

After prolonged rain, the pitch at Southern Road is very wet and soft, and with the rain continuing the surface is likely to deteriorate during the game.  A crowd of 300 to 400 was expected but the weather has reduced that number significantly.

The key moments

11 minutes:  GOAL FOR EXMOUTH TOWN.  A lofted free kick from the right of the penalty area is headed down and over the line by ACE HIGH close to the far post, with the visitors complaining about a push inside the six yard box.  1-0 to the hosts.

12 minutes:  A Mousehole half-chance – a through-ball sees Tallan Mitchell sprint past keeper Robbie Powell but it’s at a wide angle and a covering defender clears the danger

25 minutes:  Another sight of goal for Mousehole as Hayden Turner fires in a right-footer from the edge of the box with keeper Powell beating it away at full stretch

27 minutes:  Clear chance for an equaliser – Mark Goldsworthy seizes on an error at the back and has only the keeper to beat but hurriedly shoots wide of the near post from inside the area

30 minutes gone – Mousehole are on the front foot, but both sides are regularly mis-placing passes on the slippery surface

35 minutes:  Hayden Turner sends in an inviting long cross from the left and Louis Price glances his header wide as he’s challenged mid-air by the keeper

38 minutes:  GOAL FOR EXMOUTH.  A set piece comes in low from the right where JORDAN HARRIS has time and space to turn and drill a low left footer into the corner of the net from 12 yards.  The hosts are 2-0 up.

45+2 minutes:  That’s half-time.  The Seagulls have a lot to do to get something from the match against strong and determined opponents.

The second half:

47 minutes:  Levi Landricombe is not far wide with a looping header for Exmouth

50 minutes:  Mousehole put together a quick move out of defence ending with Robbie Powell smothering Hayden Turner’s goalbound drive

51 minutes:  The visitors come so close!  Keeper Powell flaps at a left-sided corner as he’s challenged by Mark Richards, Louis Price drives the loose ball low towards goal where it beats the keeper and looks certain to go in before it rebounds off Richards who cant get out of the way.  A big let-off for the home side!

63 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Mark Goldsworthy is replaced by Callam Mconie, who goes over to the right with Louis Price now in the centre

Half-way through the second period:  Mousehole are playing much better than in the first half but Exmouth are hustling them all over the pitch

70 minutes:  GOAL FOR EXMOUTH.  Levi Landricombe turns on the 18-yard line and chips a well-judged left-footed shot against the post with Ollie Chenoweth at full stretch, the ball rebounds kindly for JORDAN HARRIS and he guides his header into the empty net.  Exmouth now 3-0 in the lead.

71 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Steve Burt is replaced in midfield by Jared Sims

76 minutes:  The conditions underfoot are getting more difficult, but Mousehole mount another attack down the left flank, with Tallan Mitchell’s shot blocked by a defender and Hayden Turner driving wide of the far post.

79 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Paulo Sousa is replaced by Jack Symons, with Jack Calver dropping into a more defensive midfield position and the young sub joining the attack

90 minutes:  Callam Mconie hits the near side-netting with a drive from the corner of the penalty area

90+2 minutes:  Jack Symons hits the far post with a floated cross from the right, Tallan Mitchell collects the loose ball but hits keeper Robbie Powell with his shot.  A couple of moments which prove it hasn’t been Mousehole’s night!

90+5 minutes:  At full-time it’s Exmouth Town 3-0 Mousehole.  An efficient performance by the home side in very wet conditions, with Mousehole not able to impose themselves on the play.

What this result means for Mousehole

A positive result for Mousehole would have been useful, but a win for Exmouth was vital.  The Seagulls are now five points behind Exmouth and six behind leaders Tavistock but have two games in hand on each of them, albeit with an inferior goal difference.  All three teams have some difficult fixtures remaining, including Exmouth v Tavistock in the last-but-one match of the season.

Mousehole line-up (with used substitutes):

Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Billy Curtis (C), Mark Richards, Max Hill, Paulo Sousa (Jack Symons), Steve Burt (Jared Sims), Tallan Mitchell, Jack Calver, Louis Price, Mark Goldsworthy (Callam Mconie), Hayden Turner.  Other substitutes: Josh Otto, Kyle Fraser

Match officials: Matthew Uren (Referee) with Robert Williams & Dylan Williams (Assistants)

Attendance: 183

Next fixtures for Mousehole

This Saturday 12^th March, Home v Bridport, 3pm

Next Saturday 19^th March, Away v Buckland Athletic, 3pm

Saturday 26^th March, Home v Exmouth Town, 3pm

Wednesday 30^th March, Away v Helston athletic, 7.45pm

Mousehole 3-0 Ilfracombe Town

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 5^th March 2022

At Trungle Parc

Summary

St Piran’s Day was notable for The Seagulls taking their winning sequence to ten home league games stretching back to 4^th September, Hayden Turner’s superb brace – now with 20 goals for the season –  plus a second consecutive ‘clean sheet’ and a vital three points towards their promotion challenge, followed by news of the Development Team’s away win and 24 hours later an away success for the Women’s Team, making it a trio of senior team victories in a great weekend for the club.

Pre-match points

Ilfracombe Town have, like Mousehole, been promoted twice in recent years.  They currently stand in a commendable sixth position, and inflicted a 2-0 defeat on The Seagulls at their Marlborough Park HQ in late August.

Manager Jake Ash is able to name midfielder Andy Elcock among the substitutes, his first slot on the team-sheet since injury at Bridgwater in October, five months and 17 matches ago.  Meanwhile 14-goal Callam Mconie is serving the last of his three-match suspension after a red card at Clevedon.

Among the spectators is John Pool, Chairman of the Western League, and a sizeable turn-out of Committee members from Ilfracombe.

For this ‘Seagulls versus Bluebirds’ encounter, the weather is bright and cold, and there’s a typical Trungle Parc swirling wind.

The key moments

Before kick-off a well-observed minute’s silence is held for the people of Ukraine, with Mousehole Chairman Deryk Heywood accompanied by two youth players in the centre circle holding the yellow-and-blue national flag.

Mousehole are kicking towards the Solomon Browne Stand End in the first half

9 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell wins possession in midfield and his pass splits the visitors’ defence for Hayden Turner to sprint down the left  and put in a low cross – but it’s well cleared from the edge of the six-yard box

16 minutes:  Several minutes of confusion!  Mark Goldsworthy is felled by a late tackle just inside the Mousehole half.  Referee Stephen McCulloch waves play on despite the Assistant’s flag.  As the ball goes out of play ‘Goldie’ then receives on-field treatment from physio Ben Gibson.  It’s unclear what the decision is, but it looks like a Mousehole free kick has been given.

20 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.   The physio is off, the whistle goes, the free kick is quickly taken and the ball is worked up to JACK CALVER some 18 yards out.  He drives a low right-footed shot inside the near post with keeper Steve Oliver a mere onlooker.  More confusion as the visitors complain that Mousehole’s injured player did not leave the pitch after treatment.  The Referee looks as though he might disallow the goal as he goes over to talk to his Assistant….. but the goal stands!  Mousehole 1-0 Ilfracombe in the strangest of circumstances.  The visitors players and dug-out team are certainly not happy.  Nevertheless: it’s Mousehole 1-0 Ilfracombe Town.

21 minutes:  The visitors loudly claim a penalty as Jack Langford is tackled in the home penalty area – Referee McCulloch not impressed

27 minutes;  Hayden Turner makes another dash down the left, Mark Goldsworthy gets a touch to the low cross, and the ball trickles just past the far post

33 minutes:  Hayden Turner again and Jack Calver at the far post aims for goal but Oliver saves

43 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell skates in from the left and sends in a fierce right-foot drive which the diving Oliver pushes out for a corner

45+1 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  HAYDEN TURNER creates space for himself 25 yards out and sends a right-footed curving shot into the top corner past motionless keeper Oliver, who was probably hoping it was going wide.  Turner’s 19^th goal of the season.

45+3 minutes.  Back come Ilfracombe and Joe Barker puts in a dangerous-looking cross shot from the right that goes wide of the far post

45+5 minutes:  The visitors on the offensive again – Charlie Prentice has a sight of goal from 20 yards but shoots wide

45+6 minutes:  Half time and 2-0 to Mousehole.  Quite an eventful opening period with plenty of talking points.  Mousehole generally on top and playing on the front foot.

The second half

54 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Tallan Mitchell takes a free kick on the right hand side of the visitors’ penalty area, it’s played in low, Mark Richards steps over it and HAYDEN TURNER side-foots instantly into the net from 15 yards for goal number 20.  Judging by the players’ reaction, that looked like a well-rehearsed routine.  Now 3-0 to The Seagulls.

59 minutes:  Mousehole keeper Ollie Chenoweth is called into action, palming out a threatening long right-wing cross from Joe Barker at the far post

62 minutes:  Louis Price bustles through on the right and Steve Oliver blocks the fierce drive from eight yards

68 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Mark Richards is replaced by Josh Otto in the centre of defence

71 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Jack Calver is replaced by Jared Sims in midfield

75 minutes:  Ilfracombe come close – Jed Harper-Penman’s drive from the left is touched over by Ollie Chenoweth

76 minutes:  Hayden Turner is after a hat-trick goal – his angled shot is cleared off the line with the keeper beaten

77 minutes:  End-to-end action as Tom Davey heads a left-sided corner towards goal and it’s deflected over for another flag kick

78 minutes:  Hayden Turner is sin-binned for questioning the Referee’s decision over a free kick to the visitors.  Mousehole now down to ten men for ten minutes, and the hosts’ top scorer has lost ten minutes in his quest for a hat-trick

79 minutes:  From the free kick, Ollie Chenoweth is well positioned to keep out a snapshot by Mike Humphreys from 18 yards

80 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Mark Goldsworthy is replaced by 16-year old Jack Symons, who’ll play out wide, with Louis Price moving to the middle

82 minutes:  The young substitute creates a chance for Talan Mitchell whose 18-yard shot is pushed wide by Oliver

88 minutes:  Louis Price bends in a free kick from 25 yards, keeper Oliver gets across to keep it out, Max Hill is first to the loose ball but the keeper blocks the chipped shot

90+4:  That’s the full-time whistle.  3-0 to Mousehole and a massive three points in the race for the top two spots 

What this result means for Mousehole 

Mousehole remain in third place, two points behind Exmouth with two games in hand.  So this Wednesday’s game between second and third looks interesting, as does the return match at Trungle Parc on Saturday 26^th March 

Equally important, leaders Tavistock have lost away to second-bottom Ashton & Backwell (putting into perspective Mousehole’s unexpected defeat there in January), which means The Seagulls are six points off top spot with three games in hand 

With 11 games to go, six at home and five away, it’s going to be a thrilling last two months of the season!

Mousehole line-up (with used substitutes): Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Billy Curtis (C), Mark Richards (Josh Otto), Max Hill, Paulo Sousa, Steve Burt, Talan Mitchell, Jack Calver (Jared Sims), Louis Price, Mark Goldsworthy (Jack Symons), Hayden Turner.

Other substitutes:  Kyle Fraser, Andy Elcock

Match Officials: 

Stephen McCulloch (Referee), with Alan Hoon & Darren Winkworth (Assistants)

Attendance: 152

Next fixtures for Mousehole:

This Wednesday, 9^th March, Away at Exmouth Town, 7.45pm

Saturday 12^th March, Home v Bridport, 3pm

Saturday 19^th March, Away v Buckland Athletic, 3pm

Saturday 26^th March, Home v Exmouth Town, 3pm

Wednesday 30^th March, Away v Helston athletic, 7.45pm

Helston Athletic 1-1 Mousehole (Helston win 4-1 on penalties)

Les Phillips Cup First Round

Tuesday 22nd February 2022 At Kellaway Park

Summary:
With Manager Jake Ash making use of the wide range of talent available, his new-look Mousehole line-up did themselves and everyone else proud with a terrific performance to force the tie to a penalty shoot-out at full-strength Helston Athletic
Pre-match points:
The Les Phillips Cup is the competition for all 40 Western League clubs, named after the former Chairman (1973 to 1988).
Mousehole are playing their first-ever match in the competition, having received a bye while Helston beat Millbrook 2-1 at home in the preliminary round.
Manager Jake Ash names a completely different starting XI to that in the last match at Clevedon, giving a taste of First team squad experience to nine of the promising Development squad who play two steps below in the St Piran League (West), together with a sprinkling of experienced First Team regulars.
The Development Team have recently hit form, winning their last two games 6-0 (away) and 5-0 in the League Cup against the previously unbeaten East Division leaders.
Helston name their usual Western League squad, with top scorer Stuart Bowker among a strong substitutes’ bench.
This is the second of four matches between the two sides this season.  Mousehole won the first 3-1, an FA Cup tie in August at Trungle Parc. The Boxing Day fixture at Kellaway Park was postponed by the League following evidence of the increasing spread of Covid infections in the Mousehole camp –  that match has been re-scheduled for Wednesday 30th March.  The return league fixture at Trungle Parc is on Good Friday (15th April).
The pitch has recovered well after recent storms and is in good condition for the time of year.
The key moments of the match:
2 minutes: Helston come close as Matt Wright  directs a header on to the crossbar and over
6 minutes:  GOAL FOR HELSTON.  A headed-on long ball puts MATT WRIGHT in the clear and he lobs over the stranded Piran Jones from inside the area
13 minutes:  Mousehole’s new side have made a shaky start, but they now put together a good quick passing move, with Louis Price forcing keeper Mike Searle to turn a low drive out for a corner
16 minutes:  At the other end keeper Piran Jones makes a point-blank save to prevent the hosts doubling their lead
23 minutes:  The 17-year old keeper makes another important save from Craig Veal, low down at the near post 
25 minutes:  Mike Searle makes an equally good save, clutching Jared Sims’ low 15-yard shot through a crowded penalty area
27 minutes:  Craig Veal drives in an angled volley on the run and Piran Jones tips it over the bar
36 minutes:  The young keeper races out quickly and bravely to block a one-on-one burst by Craig Veal 25 yards out
38 minutes: It’s not all one-way traffic as Mousehole test the home side’s defence with some slick passing and nimble movement
39 minutes:  The Seagulls come close.  Aaron Dilley whips in a free kick from the left of the ‘D’ and Mike Searle touches it over the bar
40 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE. The corner is worked to the edge of the box where Helston concede another free kick, this time to the right of the ‘D’.  LOUIS PRICE strikes the ball past the defensive wall and into the near corner, with keeper Searle unable to deal with the power of the shot.  An equaliser that looked increasingly likely as the visitors gained in confidence.
45+2 minutes:  The half-time whistle blows as Mousehole survive a late onslaught.  They have recovered well after a wobbly start.  Helston look frustrated as they leave the pitch.
The second half:
57 minutes:  Sending off!  Mousehole lose possession in their own half, Jamie Devine goes in to retrieve the ball from Helston’s Matty Bye, but the tackle is high and late.  Bye is injured, Helston players are incensed and Referee Shaun Edge immediately produces the red card.  The Seagulls are down to ten for over half an hour – an uphill battle and a test of resolve.
61 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Louis Price is replaced by Jacob Cleverly up front.  Aaron Dilley has dropped back into right-side defence with Billy Curtis moving centrally alongside Silas Sullivan.  It’s still a positive attacking formation.
64 minutes:  17-year old Jack Symons sprints past keeper Searle to the right of goal but is then crowded out by covering defenders
75 minutes:  Helston are understandably having a lot of possession, but Mousehole’s ten men look fit and well organised.  Substitute Stuart Bowker floats a left-sided cross to the far post where Matt Wright heads down into the side netting
78 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Aaron Dilley is injured after a late tackle and is replaced at right back by the versatile Jonny Ludlam.
80 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Jared Sims is replaced by 18-year old Logan Trevains
85 minutes:  Five minutes of normal time to go.  If the score stays the same, there’s no 30’ extra time or a replay – it’s straight to a penalty shoot-out.  That would be a remarkable achievement for this Mousehole side!
86 minutes:  Helston pile on the pressure – a danger-laden low cross comes in from the right but it’s safely handled by Piran Jones
90+4 minutes:  Young Jack Symons is causing the Helston defence a lot of concern with his speed and agility.  He brings the ball in from the left and tries a 25-yard shot, comfortably gathered by Mike Searle.
90+5 minutes:  Pure drama right at the end! Helston have a free kick 30 yards out, left of centre.  The big defenders are up looking for a floated ball into the box.  It’s played forward on the ground to Stuart Bowker wide of the wall, he turns and drives a fierce left-footer from 8 yards that looks as though it’s going inside the near post …..until Piran Jones gets there heroically to beat it out
90+6 minutes:  That’s the final whistle, it’s 1-1 and goes to penalties.  An immense Mousehole performance against one of the strongest teams in the Western League – and very much against the odds with a player short for the last 40 minutes or so.

The penalty shoot out – Helston go first:
Stuart Bowker scores: 1-0Billy Curtis for Mousehole: Searle savesSteve Colwell scores: 2-0Kyle Fraser for Mousehole – scores: 2-1Craig Veal scores: 3-1Logan Trevains for Mousehole: Searle savesTyler Elliot to win it for Helston – scores: 4-1
Helston Athletic go through to the second round of the Les Phillips Cup, with an away tie at Tavistock
What this result means for Mousehole:
Tonight’s squad deserved the chance to challenge themselves at a higher level –  they also deserved to take a full-strength Helston side all the way to penalties, with the performance showcasing the overall benefits of the coaching philosophy at the club.
Mousehole team sheet (with used substitutes):
Piran Jones (GK), Billy Curtis (C), Silas Sullivan, Jamie Devine, Kyle Fraser, Aaron Dilley (Jonny Ludlam), Jared Sims (LoganTrevains), Charlie Willis, Louis Price (Jacob Cleverly), Samim Azimi, Jack SymonsOther substitutes: Ethan Elwell (GK), Ryan Townson
Match officials: 
Sean Edge (Referee), with George Pattison & Neil Rudkin (Assistants)

Attendance: 259
Next fixtures for Mousehole:
This Saturday, 26th February, Away at Brislington (Bristol, BS4 5RS), Western League Premier, kick off 3pm
Saturday 5th March, Home v Ilfracombe Town, WLP, 3pm
Saturday 12th March, Home v Bridport, WLP, 3pm

Mousehole AFC are pleased to announce an important appointment, confirming Jared Sims as their new Head of Youth as well as adding him to their First team playing squad.

Adam Fletcher, Director of Football, explains the “perfect timing” to Jared Sims’ arrival at the club:

“We searched the country for the right candidate –  someone who would be a ‘good fit’, with coaching qualities, a good footballing pedigree and experience of playing at a higher level.  As soon as we learned (thanks to his friendship with our player Andy Elcock) that Jared had recently returned to Cornwall from abroad, we met him, discussed what we wanted, watched him play and coach, and realised the ideal person was right on our doorstep!”

Truro-based Jared played representative football for both West Cornwall and Cornwall Schools.  He began his early footballing career with Plymouth Argyle, where he progressed from the youth system to the First team and played nine games for the then League Two club. 

A season then followed at Truro City in the Southern League Premier with 23 appearances, before moving on to St Austell, scoring 19 goals in 43 games.

He has recently returned from working overseas after a three-year period in an education role.  He has a Level 2 coaching badge and is embarking on a UEFA ‘B’ qualification.

At Mousehole he will help to develop the quality of coaching throughout the Youth section, which currently consists of 13 teams across the age range.

Another aspect of Jared Sims’ role will be to expand football coaching at Penwith College, working with Matt James, who helped set up and develop Mousehole’s Youth section five years ago.  He also has his eye on running school-holiday coaching courses and tournaments. 

On the playing side, the 28-year old has already made three recent substitute appearances in Mousehole’s first-ever Western League campaign, making his mark by scoring shortly after coming on in the 5-1 win over Bridgwater United, and was in the starting line-up for the Les Phillips cup tie at Helston Athletic this week..

Manager Jake Ash, who played alongside Jared at Truro City, is delighted to have Jared on board:

“Jared has been an absolutely huge bonus to us, adding so much to the group already.  We were made aware he was coming back home and, knowing him from our Truro days, it was a ‘no-brainer’ to invite him to training.  You could immediately see the quality and intensity that show his footballing background”.

“I am certain that as he gets fitter and sharper, and adjusts to the way we play, he will be a massive asset on the playing side.  Not only that, he is a tremendous character and I am really confident he will make a big success of his role within the youth section too.”

Clevedon Town 1-1 Mousehole

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 12^th February 2022

At the EveryoneActive Stadium

Mousehole scorer: Hayden Turner (pen, 34’)

Mousehole returned from Somerset with a valuable point after one of the toughest contests of their inaugural Western League season, to maintain their challenge among the leading group of teams in the Premier Division. 

Pre-match points

Although Clevedon Town lie in a mid-table position they have recently struck a rich vein of form, being undefeated in their last five games including, in their last two matches, an impressive 2-1 mid-week win at fifth place Bridgwater United followed by a convincing 3-1 home win against fourth place Ilfracombe Town last Saturday.  So they’ll be looking to go one better today with success against third-place Mousehole.

The Seagulls had a very narrow 3-2 win against today’s hosts at Trungle Parc in mid-October with goals by Mark Goldsworthy, Hayden Turner and a late winner by Callam Mconie.  Young goalkeeper Luca Smith was the star performer for the visitors that day, with a superb display of shot-stopping, including from a first-half Hayden Turner penalty.  

Mousehole are currently level on points with second-place Exmouth Town but with two games in hand, and ten points behind leaders Tavistock who have played four games more.  Jake Ash’s squad face a particularly difficult series of games – starting today – and will have to be at their best over the last ten weeks of the season if they are to finish in the top two places.

Clevedon Town spent 22 seasons in the Southern League, including four in the Premier Division, before returning to the Western League just seven years ago.  In the 1990s they moved from their town-centre location to a purpose-built modern stadium on the rural east side of the M5 motorway, next to the county training centre for Police dogs and horses.  Originally named after the Hand family, it now bears the name of a major sponsor and has a ground grading suitable for a much higher level.

This fixture was postponed in early January after persistent heavy rain had left the pitch unplayable.  Today it’s cold and drizzly, and the pitch surface is on the soft side.

The match as it happened

The opening minutes are lively, with both teams having goalbound shots blocked by good defending

7 minutes:  Clevedon come close.  Captain Archie Ferris seizes on lost possession in the danger zone and drives in a low left-footed shot from 18 yards and it goes just wide

10 minutes:  Mousehole put together a smooth move from left to right, Callam Mconie brings the ball on to his left foot but his low 18-yard shot is comfortably gathered by keeper Luca Smith

14 minutes:  Hayden Turner tears down the left past two defenders and his low cross is cut out with Callam Mconie ready to pounce

15 minutes:  Mark Richards makes a superb clearance from close to Mousehole’s goal after Archie Ferris’s header gives Ethan Feltham the chance for a whipped-in cross from the right

25 minutes:  Great Clevedon defending thwarts a threatening Mousehole attack, Mark Richards, Josh Otto and Tallan Mitchell combining to give Callam Mconie and Mark Goldsworthy the chance to put Hayden Turner in with a clear chance from just inside the box – Callum Eastwood gets his body in the way of the shot

26 minutes:  Mark Richards repeats his earlier heroics inside the six-yard box by hacking away a danger-laden low cross from the right

28 minutes:  Mitch Osmond swerves in a 25-yard free kick for Clevedon but Keeper Ollie Chenoweth shows good anticipation to catch the ball cleanly under the crossbar

31 minutes:  GOAL FOR CLEVEDON TOWN.  Mousehole concede possession just inside their own half, the ball is worked quickly down the left by Ferris and Feltham with defenders caught out of position, and the low cross to the far post is side-footed in by CAM SALMON.  1-0 to the hosts.

32 minutes:  Clevedon look buoyant.  Alex Camm has a shot but it’s straight at Ollie Chenoweth.

34 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Tallan Mitchell tricks his way past Glen Hayer into the area near the byeline but is then upended by the tall defender and injured in the process.  Referee Adam Wilson signals a penalty and is immediately surrounded by protesting Clevedon players.  There’s a delay and a yellow card for Hayer, either for the foul or the protests (or perhaps both?).  It’s HAYDEN TURNER versus Luca Smith from the spot and this time the keeper guesses the wrong way while the ball zooms into the opposite corner.  Mousehole get back on equal terms after just three minutes.

38 minutes:  Luca Smith has to be alert to keep out a near-own goal after Josh Otto crosses from the right

41 minutes:  At the other end, Ollie Chenoweth makes a diving save to keep out Sam Iles’ drive

42 minutes:  Dramatic moment as Glen Hayer is dismissed after charging unnecessarily into the back of Mark Goldsworthy as the Seagulls striker gets ready to receive a pass near the half-way line.  It’s a second yellow card, only eight minutes after receiving the first one.

45 minutes:  Mousehole create a chance against the ten men, Callam Mconie’s left-foot drive cannoning off Callum Eastwood before it can trouble the keeper

45+2 minutes:  At the interval it’s Clevedon Town 1-1 Mousehole.  Plenty of incident.  In theory, Mousehole should have the advantage in the second half, but what will be the home side’s tactics as they face 45 minutes with a man down?

The second half

The opening five minutes:  It’s all action from Clevedon as they surge forward with menace – a 25-yard shot deflected just wide, a corner headed narrowly over, and a well-executed volley by Cam Salmon kept out by a flying Ollie Chenoweth save, who also gets down to divert a Callum Eastwood shot inches past the post.  Archie Ferris then turns inside the box and shoots towards goal into a crowded six-yard box and Chenoweth shows great handling to capture the ball.  The ten men are well on top but Mousehole have an assured keeper.

51 minutes:  At last the visitors venture into home territory, Hayden Turner’s left-wing cross dealt with by Sam Iles at the far post

53 minutes:  Hayden Turner again makes inroads but his cross drifts past the angle of post and bar

63 minutes:  Mousehole’s passing is off-key against relentlessly pressing opponents who are re-gaining possession with alarming frequency.  Cam Salmon lets fly from 20 yards and Ollie Chenoweth goes full-length to touch it past the post.

64 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell shows his displeasure at the assistant referee’s decision over a throw-in near the half-way line, and is sent to the sin-bin.  Now it’s ten v ten for ten minutes.

67 minutes:  Hayden Turner floats a corner to Jack Calver just outside the box and his goalbound volley is caught by the well-positioned keeper

70 minutes:  At the other end, Archie Ferris sends in a fierce shot from fully 30 yards, it takes a slight deflection and is gathered safely by Ollie Chenoweth

71 minutes:  A straight red card for Callam Mconie.  He goes in for a 50:50 challenge on Mousehole’s right hand side with Callum Eastwood but it’s with too much force on the slippery surface.  Eastwood is injured, the Clevedon players are aggrieved, the referee consults the nearby assistant, and The Seagulls are down to nine men for a few minutes.

74 minutes:  Mousehole do well in the few minutes with their numerical disadvantage.  Tallan Mitchell returns from the sin-bin and so it’s now ten v ten.

76 minutes:  Luca Smith in the home side’s goal has been by far the less busy of the two keepers, but he has to react quickly at his near post as Mark Goldsworthy closes in on a low cross from the right

78 minutes:  Mousehole so close.  A well-worked left-sided attack involving Jack Calver creates an opening for Steve Burt to fire in a low drive from 15 yards which beats Luca Smith but is cleared off the line by Oli Babington

79 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Steve Burt is replaced by Jared Sims

80 minutes:  Clevedon midfielder Callum Kingdon meets a half-cleared corner with great technique and his first-time drive from 25 yards whistles past the post

81 minutes:  Mitch Osmond lobs a long right-sided cross towards the lurking Archie Ferris but Ollie Chenoweth shows great composure to take the ball under the crossbar

83 minutes:  Alex Twiggs maintains Clevedon’s pressure with a searching cross into the box which is superbly defended

85 minutes:  Mousehole substitute:  Mark Goldsworthy is replaced by Sean Roberts

86 minutes:  The Seagulls are looking to attack with quick breaks.  For that reason, Clevedon are having to be more cautious than they’d like to be as they search for a winner.

89 minutes:  A Mousehole corner is headed out to the edge of the box where Tallan Mitchell slices the loose ball well wide

90 minutes:  Mousehole are on the front foot but can’t quite find the killer final pass

90+4 minutes:  At full-time it’s Clevedon Town 1-1 Mousehole.  A very competitive match, with plenty of incident, twists-and-turns and attacking play.  In the circumstances, a good away point for Mousehole against a team showing strength and spirit all over the field – they look better than their mid-table position and are now unbeaten in their last six games.

What this result means

Mousehole remain third in the table, two points and two games behind Exmouth Town, who they have yet to play both home and away, and 12 points behind Tavistock with four games in hand.  There are 13 League games left, of which seven are at home and six away.  See also ‘Promotion criteria’ below.

Mousehole (with used substitutes):

Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Josh Otto, Max Hill, Mark Richards, Paulo Sousa, Tallan Mitchell, Steve Burt (Jared Sims), Jack Calver, Callam Mconie, Mark Goldsworthy (Sean Roberts), Hayden Turner.  Other substitutes: Billy Curtis, Jamie Devine, Kyle Fraser

Match officials:

Adam Wilson (Referee) with Dave Jones & Billy Wilde (Assistants)

Attendance: 105

Next fixtures for Mousehole:

This Saturday, 19^th February, Home v Keynsham Town, 3pm (League fixture)

Tuesday 22^nd February, Away at Helston Athletic, 7.45pm (Les Phillips Cup (WL Cup), First Round)

Saturday 26^th February, Away at Brislington, 3pm (League fixture)

Saturday 5^th March, Home v Ilfracombe Town, 3pm (League fixture)

Promotion criteria

Details of the FA’s arrangements for promotion this season from the Western League Premier (Step 5 to Step 4) have become clearer.  In summary, for Step 5 clubs:

1. Finishing in top spot means automatic promotion

2. If finishing as runners-up:

– The ten teams across the 16 Step 5 leagues with the best points-per-game are automatically promoted

– The remaining six teams each play a promotion/relegation decider away against a bottom-but-one team at Step 4

In addition:

• Clubs must be eligible for promotion to Step 4 by meeting the ground grading requirements at Step 5
• Clubs declining promotion are liable to be relegated

Mousehole 5-1 Bridgwater United

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 5th February 2022

At Trungle Parc

Mousehole scorers:  Mark Goldsworthy (12’), Hayden Turner (32’ pen, 61’ pen), Tallan Mitchell (78’), Jared Sims (89’)

Summary:

Mousehole avenged their two defeats at Bridgwater earlier in the season, with a highly-focused all-round display against strong opponents, to equal the best home result of the season and consolidate their position near the top of the league.

Pre-match points:

It’s fourth-place hosting fifth, with The Seagulls facing arguably one of the toughest challenges of this fascinating season, the visitors having one of the best away records in the League

The Robins have already beaten Mousehole twice this season at their Fairfax Park home, 6-2 in the League and 1-0 in the FA Vase.

Bridgwater are considered to be set-piece specialists, their winning FA Vase goal coming from a well-practised corner routine – so Mousehole will need to counter those threats.  At the other end on that occasion, the Robins had keeper Jake Viney to thank for his superb man-of-the-match performance – so again, Mousehole’s attack will need to be clinical with any chances that arise.

In the home line-up, Paulo Sousa returns to left-defence duties, in the only change to the starting eleven against Buckland Athletic last week, while manager Jake Ash names a strong bench

The weather is dry and cool, and there’s a good turnout of away supporters making their presence heard

The match as it happened:

Mousehole will be facing the Cricket Club end in the first half

3 minutes   Callam Mconie, Max Hill with a header, and Tallan Mitchell between them fashion an opening on the right for Jack Calver whose shot from 10 yards is high and wide

7 minutes:  The visitors look bright, quick and strong, but Callam Mconie creates space for an 18 yard left-footer which misses the far angle

10 minutes:  Callam Mconie again troubles Bridgwater with a right-sided run past two defenders, with his half-hit shot comfortably collected by keeper Jake Viney

12 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  From the edge of the box, Callam Mconie sends in another left-foot drive low towards the far post.  Viney makes a sprawling save, the ball squirms free and MARK GOLDSWORTHY converts from close range – he anticipated the possibility, arrived on the scene first, and the ball was in the net before the keeper could recover.  Mousehole 1-0 Bridgwater United.

14 minutes:  Hayden Turner shoots from distance and Viney this time saves safely

15 minutes: Bridgwater come close.  George King, who’s been prominent in the Robins’ midfield, fires in a low left-foot shot from 20 yards and Ollie Chenoweth shows good handling to keep it out

20 minutes:  Great defending by the visitors as Jacob Spence cleverly shepherds Tallan Mitchell away from a through ball

25 minutes:  Now excellent defending at the other end.  Adnan Hiroli puts in a dangerous low cross to the edge of the six-yard box, where Mark Richards makes a superb clearance under pressure

29 minutes:  Bridgwater on the attack – Ryan Brereton’s left-foot shot from 18 yards tests Ollie Chenoweth who gets down to make the save

32 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Tallan Mitchell rolls a left-sided free kick across the penalty area, Hayden Turner’s miskick causes confusion on the edge of the six-yard box, Mark Richards is in the thick of the action, and Jacob Spence handles the bouncing ball for a clear penalty.  HAYDEN TURNER despatches the spot kick for a 2-0 scoreline.

35 minutes:  The visitors again look dangerous as Ollie Chenoweth grabs a right-wing cross

38 minutes:  Bridgwater have their first set-piece opportunity 30 yards out left of centre, but the floated free kick into the danger area is well defended

43 minutes:  Mousehole close to 3-0.  Callam Mconie’s right-sided low cross just evades both Mark Goldsworthy and Hayden Turner in front of an open goal.

45+3 minutes: Referee Glanville blows for half-time.  An enthralling first half of football.  The hosts have a two-goal advantage – the next goal will be important!

The second half

54 minutes:  Bridgwater centre-back Ross Edwards makes a brilliant defensive clearance to clear away Hayden Turner’s low left-sided cross towards the near post

56 minutes:  Hayden Turner’s long free kick from the left towards the far post is just a bit too high for Max Hill, who’s come up from the back to try and match the visitors’ tall defenders!

57 minutes:  Keeper Jake Viney comes out fully 30 yards in his sweeper role to half-clear a long through ball – Hayden Turner has a chance but his shot goes over the bar with the keeper desperately back-pedalling

61 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Callam Mconie’s penetrating run down the right takes him at speed to the byeline inside the box, where he’s fouled before he can get his cross in.  HAYDEN TURNER converts the penalty kick for his 17^th goal of the season.  Mousehole 3-0 Bridgwater United.

63 minutes:  George King’s deflected 18-yard shot forces Seagulls’ keeper Ollie Chenoweth into a diving save    

72 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell’s swerving drive from the left corner of the Robins’ area is just wide of the far post with Viney at full stretch

73 minutes:  Mark Richards again makes a vital interception as a threatening low cross comes across the edge of the six-yard box

75 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Callam Mconie is replaced in the same right-sided position by Louis Price

78 minutes: GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Recent substitute Louis Price crosses low into the box where TALLAN MITCHELL’s shot for the far corner is strong enough to get past Jake Viney’s half-save.  Now 4-0.

78 minutes:  Mousehole substitute –  Mark Goldsworthy is replaced by Jared Sims in the striker role

86 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Paulo Sousa is replaced in defence by Kyle Fraser

88 minutes:  Bridgwater to their credit are attacking with great energy (and encouraged by their noisy supporters!)  – a cross is deflected across the goal-line with no-one near enough for a simple tap-in.  It’s out for a corner – their first of the match!

89 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  A goal on the break – Louis Price has plenty of space just inside the visitors’ half to take it on and place a square pass into the path of JARED SIMS who instantly side-foots it low past Viney from 15 yards.  Mousehole 5-0 up.

90+1 minutes:  The Robins have a free kick on the right in a promising position, but the free kick floats past everyone in the packed six-yard box and out for a goal kick

90+2 minutes:  Bridgwater substitute Acey Mead drives in a great half-volley from an angle on the right and Ollie Chenoweth makes a sharp reflex save at head height to push the ball out

90+3 minutes:  GOAL FOR BRIDGWATER UNITED.  A right-sided corner finds its way to the far side of the box, where GEORGE KING collects, turns unchallenged and curves the ball back into the far corner for a deserved goal

90+4 minutes:  The full-time whistle goes straight after the re-start.  Mousehole 5-1 Bridgwater United.  A high-tempo match full of entertaining football and a great atmosphere on the terraces.  

What this result means:

Mousehole move up a place to third in the table, level on points with Exmouth Town but behind them on goal difference.  Crucially, Jake Ash’s team have two games in hand over Exmouth – and play them twice over the coming weeks.  Tavistock are ten points ahead of Mousehole but have played four games more.

Mousehole (with used substitutes):

Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Josh Otto, Mark Richards, Max Hill, Paulo Sousa (Kyle Fraser), Tallan Mitchell, Steve Burt, Jack Calver, Callam Mconie (Louis Price), Mark Goldsworthy (captain) (Jared Sims), Hayden Turner.

Other substitutes:  Billy Curtis, Jamie Devine

Match officials:

Andrew Glanville (Referee), with Adam Price & Aidan Hagley (Assistants)

Attendance: 162

February fixtures for Mousehole:

Saturday 12th, Away at Clevedon Town, WLP, 3pm

Saturday 19th, Home v Keynsham Town, WLP,  3pm

Tuesday 22nd, Away v Helston Athletic, WL Cup (the Les Phillips Cup), 7.45pm Saturday 26th, Away v Brislington, WLP, 3pm

Mousehole 3-2 Buckland Athletic

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 29^th January 2022

At Trungle Parc

Mousehole scorers: Hayden Turner (1’), Tallan Mitchell (7’), Josh Otto (38’)

Summary

The Seagulls got back to winning ways to keep their place in the leading pack at the top of the table, helped by two early goals and a resilient second-half performance that overcame a spirited Bucks fight-back

Pre-match points

• Mousehole’s sequence of seven consecutive League wins came to an end last Saturday at lowly Ashton & Backwell United, so Manager Jake Ash has urged his side, who stand in 4^th place, to put that behind them and start another run.  In team news, Josh Otto moves from centre-defence to right-back, Max Hill and Callam Mconie return to centre-defence and right wing respectively, Billy Curtis drops to the bench, Mark Goldsworthy takes over as captain and new recruit ex-Plymouth Argyle and Truro City striker Jared Sims is a substitute.

• Buckland Athletic have an impressive recent history, becoming a senior side only in 1987 and progressing through the leagues to gain promotion to the Western League Premier in 2012.  In 2015 the Newton Abbot-based team were runners-up and since then have finished 4^th twice and 5^th.  They are currently 9^th in the table, with 10 wins and 8 defeats in their 23 matches, and have reached the 5^th round of the FA Vase.

• Before kick off, Mousehole Chairman Deryk Heywood and long-standing Committee member Peter Robinson presented Billy Curtis with a plaque recognising his 250 appearances for the club, having missed just five games in seven years. (pictured above)

• It’s dark, misty and drizzling, with the floodlights on from the start and a sizeable group of away fans sheltering in the Solomon Brown Stand

The match as it happened

1 minute:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Callam Mconie drives a low diagonal pass from right to left just inside the Buckland half, the flight of the ball deceives last man Rhys Fuller, leaving HAYDEN TURNER to race on and side-foot from the edge of the box past keeper Andy Collin’s left hand and into the far corner of the net.  Just 50 seconds on the clock.  Mousehole 1-0 up.

There’s now a delay because of an injury to the Assistant Referee.

7 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Hayden Turner rolls a pass from the left along the 18-yard line, where TALLAN MITCHELL shows great balance to take the ball into the area, wrong-foot two defenders and place the ball inside the near post from 10 yards.  Mousehole 2-0 Buckland Athletic.  Memories of last week’s missed early chances now forgotten!

10 minutes:  Jack Calver and Hayden Turner put Tallan Mitchell in with a chance but he half-hits his shot and Collin saves

13 minutes:  Hayden Turner collects from a short corner and swerves his shot past the far angle

15 minutes:  Keeper Collin makes a vital punch-out, as dangerous crosses come in from Hayden Turner on the left and then Callam Mconie on the right

17 minutes:  The visitors get a sight of goal, Josh Webber making some space on the left edge of the Seagulls’ box but firing too high

18 minutes:  Steve Burt has a 25-yard shot labelled ‘pile-driver’, and Frazer Clark does a great job in blocking it deep inside the penalty area

26 minutes:  Josh Otto is in an advanced position on the right – his cross beyond the far post is miscued wide by Jack Calver

28 minutes:  Callam Mconie brings the ball on to his left foot and his 25-yard shot bounces off the post to safety with keeper Collin beaten

29 minutes:  Referee Lazarus has stopped play on several occasions to hand out verbal warnings.  This time, after another long conversation, Buckland’s centre-back Rob Farkins is banished to the sin-bin for ten minutes.

30 minutes:  Can The Seagulls capitalise against the ten men?  Tallan Mitchell sends in a low free kick, Hayden Turner miskicks and Max Hill chips the loose ball just past the angle.

35 minutes:  Jack Calver side-foots wide from 18 yards after Hayden Turner’s typical left-sided run and cross

36 minutes:  GOAL FOR BUCKLAND ATHLETIC.  The ten men are back in it, as Tor Swann crosses from the right into the six-yard box where OLLIE APLIN is first to the dropping ball to convert from close range.  Mousehole 2-1 The Bucks.

38 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  JOSH OTTO is again deep in the visitors’ half on the right and has time to measure a cross, which evades Andy Collin’s outstretched leap and nestles just inside the far post.  A very rare goal for the youngster, whether he meant it or not.  Mousehole 3-1 Buckland Athletic.  An important response so soon after the visitors’ goal.

39 minutes:  Rob Farkins is back on and The Bucks are back to 11 men

43 minutes:  Hayden Turner is set up by Tallan Mitchell for a one-on-one chance on the left but the shot misses the far post

45 minutes:  The Bucks have a free kick just outside the ‘D’.  It’s driven low and hard, and deflected awkwardly, but Ollie Chenoweth is well positioned to collect safely on the slippery surface

45+1 minutes:  Half-time whistle with only 45 seconds of time added on.  Mousehole 3-1 Buckland Athletic.  The Seagulls don’t appear to have any hangover from last Saturday’s defeat – they have done enough to be much further ahead.  But the visitors look strong and well organised.  An interesting second half in prospect.

54 minutes:  Not much happening yet in the opening period of the second half, but suddenly Callam Mconie bursts forward on the right, tricks his way inside Owen Price and has a wonderful chance to score with only the keeper to beat – but Collin beats out the shot

56 minutes:  Buckland are camped in the Mousehole half, earning three corners in quick succession, all of them in-swingers.  Ollie Chenoweth has to be alert to parry a near-post flick.

67 minutes:  Josh Otto works his way clear down the right hand side with the visitors’ defence caught out of position.  His cross into the middle looks certain to result in a score for Hayden Turner coming in at speed but the wingman misses the target with the goal gaping.

68 minutes:  The visitors come very close.  Ollie Aplin heads a left wing cross down and goalwards where Ollie Chenoweth shows great reflexes to dive on the ball on the line and push it out.

70 minutes:  Ollie Chenoweth with another important save as he goes down at his near post to keep out Rob Farkins’ sharp header from a floated free kick from the right

20 minutes to go:  Buckland are creating momentum and pressure.  Have Mousehole done enough or will they regret a series of missed chances?

71 minutes:  Another Buckland corner goes dangerously across goal with no-one on the end of it

72 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Callam Mconie is replaced by Louis Price in a like-for-like change

73 minutes:  GOAL FOR BUCKLAND ATHLETIC.  It looked increasingly possible, but not like this!  ROB FARKINS is in unchallenged space midway through the Seagulls’ half  – he drives a swerving half-volley from maybe 35 yards into the top corner with Ollie Chenoweth getting a slight touch.  Mousehole 3-2 Buckland Athletic.  ‘Game on’, to coin a phrase!

76 minutes:  Keeper Collin thwarts Mark Goldsworthy by grabbing the ball as the striker tries to take the ball around him to the left of goal

77 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Mark Goldsworthy is replaced by Jared Sims up front, with Mark Richards given the captain’s armband

10 minutes to go:  The Bucks are full of energy and menace, but Mousehole are putting up a solid defensive show.  Space is appearing in the visitors’ back line as they search for (at least) a point, but The Seagulls are being caught offside in their eagerness.

81 minutes:  A goalbound shot from inside the hosts’ area is blocked by Jack Calver

88 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Kyle Fraser is replaced by Billy Curtis, a defender for a defender

90+4 minutes:  The visitors have created no more clear-cut chances and that’s the full-time whistle.  A welcome return to winning ways for Mousehole, and big credit to Buckland for the way they fought their way back into contention.    

What this result means

Mousehole move up a place to 3^rd, three points behind Exmouth Town with two games in hand, and 13 points behind leaders Tavistock with five games in hand.  Nine of the remaining 15 League matches are against teams currently in the top 10, including home and away ‘doubles’ against Exmouth, Keynsham and Helston.

Mousehole line-up (with used substitutes)

Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Josh Otto, Max Hill, Mark Richards, Kyle Fraser (Billy Curtis), Tallan Mitchell, Steve Burt, Jack Calver, Callam Mconie (Louis Price), Mark Goldsworthy (C) (Jared Sims), Hayden Turner.  Other substitutes: Charlie Willis, Jamie Devine

Match officials :  Michael Lazarus (Referee) with Dave Bartlam & Samuel Doble (Assistants)

Attendance : 158

February Mousehole fixtures (all Western League Premier, 3pm)

This Saturday, 5^th February, HOME v Bridgwater United

Saturday 12^th February, Away at Clevedon Town

Saturday 19^th February, HOME v Keynsham Town Saturday 26^th February, Away at Brislington

Ashton & Backwell United 1-0 Mousehole

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 22^nd January 2022

At The Lancer Scott Stadium

Summary

Mousehole’s magnificent run of form, which has seen them move from the lower reaches of the League to a challenging position in the leading pack, came to an end at the hands of a hard-working Ashton & Backwell side, with the hosts converting their one chance and the visitors’ possession counting for nothing on this occasion.

Pre-match points

• Third-place Mousehole travel once more up the M5 having won 12 of the last 14 League matches, including 7 wins in a row.  They are without defenders Max Hill and Paulo Sousa and joint leading scorer Callam Mconie.

• The hosts had a change of name ten years ago when Backwell United absorbed Ashton Boys club.  Backwell United were formed in 1911 and joined the Western League Division One in 1983, gaining promotion to the Premier Division in 1995, but being relegated back to Division One in 2006 and then back to the Somerset County League in 2008.  They went back up to the Western League in 2013 and moved upwards again this season to the Premier Division on the basis of their points-per-game over the two previous abandoned seasons (as did Mousehole).

• The first half of this season proved to be tough for Ashton & Backwell, leaving them in last-but-one place in the Division.  But having shown a definite upturn in form in the last month they are unbeaten in their last three home matches and closing in on the cluster of teams above them.

• It’s a cold but dry and bright afternoon, with the pitch having recovered from heavy overnight frost.

Key moments of the match

4 minutes:  Mousehole come close to the opening goal as Mark Goldsworthy breaks through and crosses invitingly in front of goal but Tom Anthony does a great job in getting back to poke the ball out for a corner before Hayden Turner can capitalise

5 minutes:  Mousehole again as Tallan Mitchell’s left footed drive after a short corner flashes past the near angle

6 minutes:  Kyle Fraser makes good progress down the left and his dangerous cross is well held by home keeper Lewis Coombes

7 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell makes space for a low cross from the left but Coombes again handles it safely at the foot of his near post

8 minutes:  Off the line twice!  Hayden Turner’s low cross goes into the six yard box where Mark Goldsworthy’s goal attempt is scuffed off the line.  Louis Price picks up the loose ball and his shot is deflected wide heroically by Joe Bishop with keeper Coombes beaten.

The first 15 minutes: it’s been sustained pressure by Mousehole, with obstinate defending by the hosts.

26 minutes:  Louis Price looks likely to score with a header from Hayden Turner’s cross but Joe Bishop’s aerial presence knocks him off balance and the chance goes wide.

30 minutes:  Louis Price feeds Hayden Turner for a penetrating run and fierce shot, with Coombes well positioned to save

31 minutes:  Ashton & Backwell’s first real sight of goal – a loose ball drops just inside the box for winger Henry Sady but the youngster volleys hastily high and wide

33 minutes:  That has encouraged the home side to venture forward.  Mousehole’s earlier dominance has disappeared.  Miles Hardidge has a half chance from an angle but fires wide of the near post.

37 minutes:  GOAL FOR ASHTON & BACKWELL UNITED.  The hosts have been pressing vigorously as Mousehole play out from the back.  This time it works for them as Miles Hardidge steals the ball and passes inside for SAM PRICE to convert high into the net past the exposed Ollie Chenoweth.  A&B 1-0 Mousehole.  The visitors might have been well ahead by now but it’s one mistake, one goal.

40 minutes:  From a Mousehole a free kick Tallan Mitchell has a great chance from close in but keeper Coombes pulls off a superb point-blank save.

45+3 minutes:  At half-time it’s 1-0 to the hosts – an improbable scoreline on the balance of play, but their energetic closing-down has begun to neutralise the visitors’ fluency.  Will Mousehole make their class pay in the second half?

48 minutes:  Against expectations it’s Ashton & Backwell who come close to the next goal.  After they force a corner a goalbound shot is cleared off the line amid loud (but unsuccessful) claims for handball

60 minutes:  The play has been scrappy since the interval, but Hayden Turner has a 20 yard shot skim wide of the far post

68 minutes:  Mousehole are dominating possession but space in the final third is extremely limited.  Keeper Coombes is again in the right place to save a Hayden Turner drive at his near post.

69 minutes:  Ashton & Backwell’s left-sided corner somehow threads its way low across the six yard box with no-one getting a touch

70 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Steve Burt is replaced by Sean Roberts in a similar midfield role

15 minutes to go.  Mousehole with plenty of possession but no clear-cut chances as the home side defend their precious lead

80 minutes:  Scorer Sam Price scoops a low right-sided cross wide of the near post

81 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Billy Curtis is replaced by Jack Symons, with the youngster taking up position in the attack

82 minutes:  Hayden Turner races to the byeline and his low cross is nudged wide of the near post by Mark Goldsworthy

84 minutes:  Solid defending by Ashton & Backwell as two goalbound shots in succession from inside the box are blocked before they can trouble the keeper

85 minutes:  Jack Symons fires one in – it’s deflected for a corner

86 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell’s swerving shot from 20 yards misses the far angle

90 minutes gone – Referee will add on several minutes for injuries, substitutions and ‘game management’ by the hosts

90+4 minutes:  Jack Symons places a lofted shot from 18 yards just wide of the far post with keeper Coombes nowhere near it

90+5 minutes:  Jack Symons bravely takes the ball through on goal but is scythed down by Joe Bishop 30 yards out.  Nothing comes from the free kick.

90+6 minutes:  At full time it’s Ashton & Backwell United 1-0 Mousehole.  The home side have got through with nearly 100 minutes of sheer determination, but, importantly, taking advantage of the one gift that came their way to make it four home games without defeat.  Mousehole will reflect on that first period when they might have been comfortably ahead, and how to make headway against a team pressing all over the field.

What this result means

Mousehole drop down to fourth place in a tightly packed top-7, but they still have games in hand over all the teams around them.  The defeat comes on a day when leaders Tavistock dropped two points, as did Bitton, while Exmouth Town and Bridgwater United both won – the latter at Helston Athletic – to take over second and third place. 

Mousehole line up (with used substitutes):  Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Billy Curtis (captain) (Jack Symons), Mark Richards, Josh Otto, Kyle Fraser, Steve Burt (Sean Roberts), Tallan Mitchell, Jack Calver, Louis Price, Mark Goldsworthy, Hayden Turner. 

Other substitutes: Jamie Devine, Charlie Willis, Jake Ash.

Match officials:  George Gross (Referee) with Damon McEllin & Andie Lambourne (Assistants)

Attendance: 85

Next up for Mousehole

This Saturday, 29^th January:  Home v Buckland Athletic, 3pm

Saturday 5^th February:  Home v Bridgwater United, 3pm

Mousehole 2-0 Brislington

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 15^th January 2022

At Trungle Parc

Scorers:  Jack Calver 42’, Callam Mconie 86’

Summary

After a four-week enforced break, Mousehole started their Centenary year with a patient win over a hard-working Brislington side, a late goal in each half securing the points to move the team up to third place in the table and extend an impressive run of form to 12 wins in the last 14 League matches.

Pre-match points

• Fifth-place Mousehole start the second half of their inaugural Western League Premier season looking to take advantage of one of their games-in-hand over their closest rivals.  Only two points currently separate second-place Bridgwater United from seventh-place Ilfracombe Town.  So, with today’s fixtures including fourth-place Exmouth Town hosting third-place Bitton, Bridgwater in FA Vase action and Helston Athletic playing at Saltash United in the Cornwall Senior Cup, it’s an opportunity for The Seagulls to move up the table having won 11 of their last 13 League games.

• A Covid outbreak at Mousehole led to the League postponing their Boxing Day clash at Helston and the New Year’s Day home encounter with Exmouth, which was followed by another blank last Saturday because of Clevedon Town’s waterlogged ground.  As a result, this is The Seagull’s first competitive match since 18^th December, a 6-2 away win at Street.

• Brislington, today’s visitors from south-east Bristol, have been a Western League Premier side for nearly 25 years.  They are currently in 14^th place with 24 points from 21 games, and are unbeaten in their last three games.  As an indication that they will provide tough opposition today, they have a much better away record than home form, and have recently drawn at both higher-placed Ilfracombe and at Buckland Athletic.

• Today’s is another in the series of ‘first-ever’ matches between Mousehole and clubs in the Western League, which illustrates the benefits and challenges of life for The Seagulls after promotion.  The return match at Brislington is on Saturday 26^th February.

• Mousehole’s team news is that all the Covid-affected players are now in good health and there have been no further positive cases. There are also no injuries to the usual first team squad, so Manager Jake Ash is faced with the nice problem of deciding on the starting XI and the substitutes.  Jack Calver, signed from Bideford in early December, makes his full home debut, while on-loan Andy Watkins has returned to Tiverton.

• Before kick off it’s started to rain, the floodlights on from the start in the gathering gloom, the pitch surface is on the soft side, and the Youth-section mascots are doing their job impeccably.

The key moments of the match

4 minutes:  Mark Goldsworthy fires in a rising shot towards the far corner and keeper George Dorrington flings himself across to palm the ball out for a corner

19 minutes:  A forceful Brislington raid on the left ends with a floated cross drifting beyond the far post

21 minutes:   Mousehole are having more of the ball but Brislington are making progress on the left again:  this time Josh Otto shows great anticipation to head away a threatening cross into the six-yard box

Half-way through the first half:  Mousehole are showing signs of their month-long lay-off.  There’s not yet any consistent pattern to their play.  Brislington are looking well-organised and quick to seize on misplaced passes.

26 minutes:  Another incisive left-sided break by the visitors lays on a difficult chance on the far side of the six-yard box but the half chance is miscued.

29 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell retrieves the ball for Mousehole some 30 yards out and his shot from the edge of the area requires a competent save by keeper Dorrington.

38  minutes:  Dorrington shows superb ‘sweeper’ qualities by racing out to snuff out a Callam Mconie chance as he moves on to a defence-splitting Jack Calver scooped through ball

41 minutes:  Mousehole are now beginning to pressurise the Brislington defence.  Callam Mconie delivers a trademark left-footed drive from an angle but Dorrington is equal to it low at his near post.

42 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  JACK CALVER collects the ball 20 yards out, shimmies on to his favoured left foot and drives a low shot into the far corner just out of reach of the keeper.  (Those of a certain age will remember the term ‘daisy cutter’!)  Mousehole 1-0 Brislington.  A good time to score a goal, and a reward for persistence when not playing at your best.

Half-time:  It’s 1-0 to the hosts.  During the interval a special presentation is made to Matt James, who has spent five successful years developing the Youth section at Mousehole, and is now concentrating on a full-time career as a teacher.  The Youth players form a ‘guard of honour’ on the pitch and Chairman Deryk Heywood, recognising Matt James’ achievements in laying down a foundation for the future of the club, presents him with a framed and signed Chelsea shirt.

The second half

48 minutes:  Hayden Turner speeds down the left and crosses low for the onrushing Tallan Mitchell, but the visitors’ defence does well to stifle the danger

52 minutes:  Hayden Turner again creates a chance with a run and cross in front of goal, where Callam Mconie is involved in a collision, but Referee Long waves away appeals for a penalty

56 minutes:  Hayden Turner again – this time he moves inside and drives a fierce swerving 15 yard shot, but keeper Dorrington makes a wonderfully agile save to tip the ball over.  The keeper has been magnificent so far – Brislington’s ‘player pen pictures’ say he has played for Manchester United’s and Huddersfield’s Under-23s:  the pedigree is now obvious!

57 minutes:  Callam Mconie’s inswinging low corner kick hits the near post and comes out!

Halfway through the second period, Mousehole are getting back into stride and looking to get a second goal, but Brislington are defiant – it’s still only 1-0 and they are very much still in this!

70 minutes:  Hayden Turner gets to a through ball first, dances around the keeper and rolls the ball across the goal line…..and out.

71 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Mark Goldsworthy is replaced by Louis Price, occupying the same central striker role

76 minutes:  For the last few minutes Brislington have been venturing forward a lot more.  A 30-yard shot from a central position is blocked by Steve Burt.

85 minutes:  The visitors come again, this time thwarted by a defensive tackle just inside the box which they claim merited a penalty – Referee Long disagrees

86 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Kyle Fraser makes a penetrating run on the left and crosses low into the middle, where CALLAM MCONIE collects 10 yards out and shoots hard, low and left-footed, the ball glancing off the covering defenders and inside the near post past the keeper’s dive.  Mousehole 2-0 Brislington.  A mixture of celebration and relief.  The wingman’s 14^th goal of the season, and another of his late ones.

87 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – scorer Callam Mconie is replaced by Paulo Sousa operating as a right-winger

88 minutes:  Louis Price shoots from 20 yards and Dorrington is well placed to smother it

90 minutes:  A great piece of football as Tallan Mitchell launches a spectacular right-footed volley from just outside the box and Dorrington leaps across to fingertip it away superbly from the top corner

90+1 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Tallan Mitchell is replaced in midfield by Charlie Willis

90+4  minutes:  The full time whistle.  Mousehole 2-0 Brislington.  The visitors proving to be tough opponents with many qualities. Mousehole playing some great football in patches after the long lay-off, but overall their persistence rewarded with a deserved win.

What the result means

Mousehole’s 12^th win in 14 League games, and 7^th win in a row, moves them up to third in the table, on the same points as today’s winners Exmouth Town, who have a better goal difference but have played two games more.  The Seagulls are two points ahead of Bridgwater and Bitton, and four ahead of Helston and Ilfracombe, with games in hand.

There are 17 League fixtures remaining, 9 at home and 8 away.  Nearly half of these are against teams in the top eight of the Division.  They include home and away matches against Helston, Buckland (currently 8^th) and Exmouth – the away trip to Exmouth being the very last League match of the season – and home games against Bridgwater and Bitton.

Mousehole v Brislington (with used substitutes):

Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Billy Curtis (captain), Josh Otto, Mark Richards, Kyle Fraser, Tallan Mitchell (Charlie Willis), Steve Burt, Jack Calver, Callam Mconie (Paulo Sousa), Mark Goldsworthy (Louis Price), Hayden Turner.  Other substitutes:  Max Hill, Jamie Devine.

Match officials:

James Long (Referee) with Ken Swift & Adam Price (Assistants)

Attendance:  154

Next fixtures for Mousehole:

This Saturday 22^nd January, Away at Ashton & Backwell United (BS48 3HQ), 3pm.

Saturday 29^th January, Home v Buckland Athletic, 3pm.

Saturday 5^th February, Home v Bridgwater United, 3pm