Manager Jake Ash has strengthened Mousehole’s challenge for the 2020/21 season with the addition of midfielder Andrew Elcock.

The 25-year old Cornishman was pencilled in to make a playing debut for The Seagulls in March, but the Covid-19 restrictions came into force before that could happen. 

Launceston-born Andrew Elcock most recently played for his home-town ‘Clarets’ in the Peninsula Premier West, where he was noted for his ability to “pull the strings” in midfield.

He started his footballing education and career with Plymouth Argyle, where he spent seven years progressing through the Youth ranks and Academy. 

He then signed for Step 2 National League South club Bath City.  From there, he had periods with Southern League clubs Cirencester Town at Step 3 and then Bristol-based side Paulton Rovers at Step 4.  He arrived back at Launceston to resume playing following a lengthy injury lay off.

Along the way, Elcock has gained a UEFA ‘B’ coaching badge and is a highly qualified personal trainer and sports performance coach. Jake Ash’s fourth signing of the month comes after the announcements publicising the arrivals of Kian Burns, Jude Boyd and Sean Roberts.

Kian Burns, one of the most promising youngsters in Cornish football, has chosen to head west to Mousehole as The Seagulls continue to attract the talent to match their ambitions both on and off the field.

The 18-year old has put in some eye-catching performances with his strong and direct running for Camelford, and was an outstanding performer for them in their home match against Mousehole last winter.  

Since then, Manager Jake Ash has had Kian on his radar, convinced of his potential to improve under Mousehole’s coaching regime and to make a major contribution to the team’s success as they prepare for the forthcoming season.

Mousehole’s Director of Football Adam Fletcher describes Kian Burns as a player who, with the right coaching, could go a long way in the game.  “Kian has joined Mousehole because he loves the project and is convinced we can develop him as a player.  His signing for us is a really important piece in the jigsaw.”

Kian’s family sporting background is noteworthy.  His brother Tallan, currently playing for Tavistock in the Step 5 Western League, plays with a similar attacking verve, while Kian himself is also a talented cricketer, excelling as a wicketkeeper/batsman.

Before the 2019/20 season came to a halt in March, The Seagulls were in a commendable fourth place in the League in their first year after promotion.  With their sights set firmly on securing one of the two promotion places next season, the Seagulls are likely to be announcing more quality signings in the near future.

A recent analysis of the points-per-game results of the 956 clubs playing at non-league Steps 1 to 6 in the 2019/20 season in England reveals that Mousehole were ranked 40th with a PPG of 2.28. This makes The Seagulls among the best 5% of performers over the season.

Leaders Helston Athletic were second with 2.88, Saltash United fifth with 2.68 and St Austell 26th with 2.39.

Southern League leaders Truro City were 75th, and Bodmin Town were the only other Cornwall club in the top 100.

Towards the other end of this composite non-league table, Penzance came in at 843rd, just avoiding being in the bottom 10%, but above Callington Town (861), St Dennis (868), Sticker (908) and Godolphin Atlantic (920).

Mousehole AFC are looking to recruit a passionate and progressive Manager for their Development Team ahead of the 2020/21 season.  The team play in the St Piran League West, at Step 7 of the National League System.

The new person will be a vital part of an integrated Senior management and coaching team, with the task of creating a seamless pathway between the Academy and the First team.

The main focus will be to maximise the progression of our many talented youngsters coming through the Academy, who need the opportunity to develop in men’s senior football. 

The Development Team will include 50% of regular players aged 23 or under, with at least three players being actively supported to graduate upwards from the 16-18 team and another three on to the First team each year.

Over the last three years, Mousehole AFC have created the foundations for ambitious but sustainable progress both on and off the field.  A good start has been made.  We have 250 youngsters on board; a hugely supportive Committee and Volunteers Squad; an effective commercial model; a high-calibre coaching staff; a continuously improving stadium at Trungle Parc with a superb pitch and infrastructure; and a pathway developed through coaching at local schools and College. If you have the hunger to take on the challenges of this role, please start the ball rolling by emailing your interest to Director of Football Adam Fletcher (adam@mouseholeafc.co.uk).

It’s the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one at Mousehole AFC, with the announcement that Reserves’ team manager Harry Tonkin has decided to stand down.

The 31-year old is a genuine club stalwart, having started playing for ‘Mousehole Minis’ at the age of six, progressing through the ranks to Senior football, and latterly to the role of player-manager for the Reserves. 

The Tonkin family have been a significant part of the ‘Mousehole DNA’ for some considerable time.  Harry’s father Anthony was club Chairman from 1995 to 2008, while mother Christine, known as Annie, was club secretary and football secretary from 2001 to 2016, both of them hugely respected personalities in Cornish football.  Harry’s older brother Anthony started at Mousehole before embarking on a career with a variety of professional clubs, while younger brother Jon also played until recently for the Reserves, and cousin Tyler is a current member of the First team squad.

During Harry’s five-year period as their manager, Mousehole Reserves have achieved unprecedented success.  In 2018, after winning the Trelawney League Division One title, his team were promoted to the newly-formed St Piran League at Step 7 of the non-league pyramid, the highest level in their history.  That same season, he presided over a remarkable run in the Cornwall Junior Cup, reaching the semi-finals for the first time ever.  A  nail-biting win saw the team progress to the Final, where his team of underdogs showed immense character and togetherness in a never-to-be-forgotten win against the favourites to lift the 127-year old trophy on a sunny May afternoon at Hayle.

Speaking of his decision, to hand over the reins, Harry said:  “After five fantastic years managing my childhood club I’ve made the tough decision to resign as manager of Mousehole Reserves.  I believe it’s the right time for me to step away and let someone else take the team on.  I would like to thank my back-room staff of Mark Trevail, Tom Hooper and Matt Howes for everything they’ve helped with during this period, as well as the players I’ve had the honour to manage, and of course the club Committee and volunteers for all their support.  It’s been a successful time, the highlights being winning the Trelawney Division One league and the Junior Cup, so I’m leaving a happy man.  I’ve decided to take some time out of the game, but I’m sure I’ll be back in the future. Finally, my best wishes to the future manager.”

Deryk Heywood, Mousehole’s Chairman, added:  “Harry’s parents would have been mightily proud of what he’s achieved here.  I cannot thank him enough for his service and commitment to the club.  With 25 years’ involvement already, he is Mousehole through-and-through.  I’m sure he will continue to play a useful off-field role at Mousehole AFC and contribute to its continuing success as the next chapter unfolds.” 

Mousehole are currently looking to strengthen the pathway for players to progress through its team structure.  This will involve thinking of the Reserves as a ‘Development Squad’.  The squad will have a younger average age, and benefit from a coaching scheme integrated with the First team led by manager Jake Ash and his coaches.  Success will not just be measured by League-table position, but by the recruitment of promising youngsters from the club’s flourishing Youth teams, as well as the promotion of players capable of holding down a place in the First team squad.

Director of Football Adam Fletcher (afletcher@playertrader.com or adampaulfletcher@googlemail.com) is keen to hear from anyone at this stage who is interested in taking up this management challenge.

SALTASH UNITED 2-2 MOUSEHOLE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, PREMIER WEST

SATURDAY 7^TH MARCH 2020

AT KIMBERLEY STADIUM

In most circumstances, a draw away at top Cornish side Saltash United would be regarded as a great result, but it’s a measure of how far Mousehole have progressed that they came away disappointed with just the one point, as well as aggrieved by some puzzling refereeing decisions.

Nevertheless, this was a commendable achievement by Jake Ash’s men, who not only followed up their 3-1 home win against Saltash in October – The Ashes’ only league defeat so far – but also ruined the hosts’ 100% home league record.  And the one point still keeps them in contention for a promotion place at the top of the table.

Saltash made a strong start, pinning Mousehole back in their own half with their muscular and direct approach, but the visitors then created some good chances after the initial ten minutes, Kieron Toland miscuing a volley on the corner of the six yard box from Billy Curtis’ free kick in the 15^th minute, and Hayden Turner firing wide of the near post from 18 yards on 21. 

The Seagulls then had a major scare in the 25^th minute when Reece Thomson raced clear, took the ball round Cory Harvey but shot harmlessly across goal from an angle.  A minute later Henry Wilson became the first of several Saltash players to be given a yellow card, fouling Tallan Mitchell as the midfielder darted through on goal from halfway.  And shortly afterwards Hayden Turner nimbly went past big centre-back Callum O’Brien for a one-on-one chance but keeper Ryan Rickard blocked the shot.

Mousehole deservedly took the lead in the next attack, Amara Bakayoko’s low cross from the left tapped in at the far post by wingman Rheiss McClean for his 13^th goal of the season. 

As the action continued at both ends, Cory Harvey spectacularly tipped over a 30-yard drive destined for the top corner by defender Chris Menhenick on 31 minutes, and shortly afterwards The Ashes appealed in vain for a goal when a dangerous corner was somehow hacked off the line.

Back came Mousehole, breaking swiftly from midfield, and in a two-against-one attack in the 34^th minute Amara Bakayoko’s shot deflected off the keeper and on to the crossbar.  Barely a minute later, Hayden Turner again outfoxed his marker but Rickard was once more out quickly to block the shot.  Menhenick was then booked for a crude challenge as The Seagulls looked the more agile of the two teams.  And on 39 minutes,  O’Brien under-hit a back pass which Hayden Turner was on to in a flash and this time he drove past Rickard for a 2-0 scoreline.

Mousehole continued in attacking vein, making the most of Saltash defenders’ slowness on the turn, with Callum Martindale their third player to receive a yellow card for another desperate foul.  The last action of the half saw the home side scramble the ball away from in front of goal in the third minute of added-on time.

The two-goal margin might have been bigger with better finishing, and it immediately looked precarious a minute into the second half when top scorer Ryan Richards volleyed just wide from 25 yards.  Ten minutes later he made the most of his side’s powerful start by shooting low past Cory Harvey from 15 yards to make it 2-1 after a left-sided attack.

Tallan Mitchell was then booked for a foul in the 69^th minute, with Saltash players surrounding referee Richard Butter in attempt to get the youngster sent off, and two minutes later came another highly controversial incident.  Amara Bakayoko slalomed at speed through the centre of the home defence only to be tripped from behind deliberately by O’Brien just outside the area when clear on goal, for what looked like a clear red-card offence.  Again the referee was mobbed by the home players and to the equal surprise of both sets of supporters only a yellow card was produced.

Saltash made the most of their unlikely reprieve, and forced a series of corners, with Cory Harvey forced into a full-length save as Wilson aimed a 20-yard drive inside the far post.  And with just six minutes of normal time left, Wilson equalised with a close range header after Daniel Lewis had skipped past several tackles on the right to put in a well-judged cross.

The final ten minutes, including five added-on for stoppages, were full of incident, with referee Butter appearing to caution the wrong man when an already-booked player flattened Billy Curtis in front of the dugouts.  Mousehole then created but failed to capitalise on two great breaks in the 86^th and 88^th minutes, and a Saltash free kick was deflected inches wide on 89.  Finally, Hayden Turner converted Bakayoko’s forward pass on 90+4 but was adjudged offside.

With their games in hand, Saltash until recently had their eye on finishing top, but with Helston Athletic the most likely team to be crowned champions, the race for the runners-up promotion spot is now looking to be between St Austell, Saltash and Mousehole.  These three are currently separated by ten points with 7 weeks of the season to go.  St Austell have the least congested run-in, with only ten league games remaining, nine of them against teams below sixth place, and no cup commitments.  They are 8 points ahead of Saltash who have a huge fixture challenge with 16 league games left, including two against Helston, and are still in all three cup competitions.  Mousehole are two points behind Saltash with 13 league games left, none of them against teams in the top-five, and interest in just one Cup.

With each League match now of crucial importance, floodlit football returns to Trungle Parc this Tuesday evening, 10^th March, with the visit of sixth-placed Newquay (7.30pm).

Then next Saturday (14^th), The Seagulls are scheduled to travel to Premier East side Bovey Tracey for the League Cup quarter-final tie postponed on 29^th February because of a waterlogged pitch.  Supporters seats are still available on the coach, with information available from the club.

Mousehole’s next home match is on Monday 23^rd March (7.45pm) against Dobwalls, that fixture having been moved because of the re-arranged League Cup tie.

Mousehole at Saltash:  Cory Harvey, Billy Curtis (captain), Mark Richards, Jamie Devine, Paulo Sousa, Kieron Toland, Steve Burt, Tallan Mitchell, Rheiss McClean, Hayden Turner, Amara Bakayoko

Substitutes:  Ben Harding (for Kieron Toland, 76), Gerens James, Jamie Butler, Charlie Willis, Sam Tucker

Mousehole scorers: Rheiss McClean (28), Hayden Turner (39)

Officials:  Richard Butter (referee), Dave Green & Chris King (assistants)