PORTHLEVEN 0-6 MOUSEHOLE

CORNWALL CHARITY CUP 1^ST ROUND

WEDNESDAY 25^TH SEPTEMBER 2019

AT GALA PARC

Mousehole raced into the last eight of the Charity Cup – this season in aid of The Merlin MS Centre* – with their second big away win in five days.

The result followed the 7-2 League Cup win at Wadebridge Town last Friday, and took The Seagulls’ unbeaten run of matches to 12 since the start of the season – and just as importantly, the goals are now beginning to reflect the performance.

Mousehole had allowed Porthleven to seize the initiative in the away League encounter five weeks ago, with the hosts coming back from two goals down to grab a last-kick penalty equaliser.  But this second meeting was different, Mousehole building up an early head of steam with four first half goals and threatening many more with a consistent display of assured passing and clever movement on a slick rain-affected surface.

The Seagulls started at a quick pace and fashioned several chances within the first ten minutes goalkeeper Ethan Fearn making a sprawling save from Kieran Toland and denying the same player and Rheiss McClean in quick succession in one-on-one situations.  But the opening goal on 19 minutes came from a defensive mix-up from a right wing cross as Fearn and centre back Jason Roberts got in each other’s way, leaving Toland to turn the ball into an empty net .

Two minutes later Lez Cela doubled the score, carrying the ball forward from halfway after a quick release by McClean and shooting low into the corner.

With Mousehole now relaxed and dominating, Scott Imade stole the ball just outside The Fisherman’s box and after an incisive one-two slid the ball home for 3-0 on the half hour.

And just five minutes later Kieran Toland hammered home a 35-yard drive high into the net after intercepting a pass and striding forward against a retreating defence, to complete The Seagull’s four-goal burst in 16 minutes.

Not content with the scoreline, the visitors continued on the front foot, with Amara Bakayoko miscuing from the six-yard line after Imani Matthews had opened up the chance with speed and skill on the left, and Fearn made a superb reaction save in added-on time from Billy Curtis’ deflected shot from the edge of the box.  At the other end Charlie Young came close with a header in the last action before the interval.

Five minutes into the second half, after a continuous spell of passing, Imani Matthews got behind the hosts’ defence to square the ball for Kieran Toland to a side-foot low into the net for 5-0 and a second hat-trick of the season taking him up to 16 goals in 12 games.

Porthleven created some chances of their own around the hour mark, Roberts heading just over from a corner, Dan Stidwell’s deflected 25 yard shot coming back off the crossbar, and Young slipping over when clean through on goal. 

Substitute Steven Ziboth came on to create a series of problems for the home side, taking advantage of quick passes out of defence and on 71 minutes raiding swiftly down the flank alongside left-sided defender Paulo Sousa for the latter to squeeze a right-footed shot from 18 yards just inside Fearn’s near post. 

Ziboth was close to claiming a goal of his own with marginally wide shots in the 73^rd and 78^th minutes, but the final few chances fell Porthleven’s way, with Mousehole keeper Mikey Flores having to be alert to thwart Young on 90+2 and then producing a superb flying save to stop Stidwell’s 25 yard drive going in the top corner.

The other teams remaining in the Charity Cup – which Mousehole have won twice in the last four seasons – are Falmouth Town, Godolphin Atlantic, Helston Athletic,  Launceston, Newquay, Penzance and Saltash United, with the quarter-finals due to be played midweek on 26^th and 27^th November.

Mousehole and Porthleven meet yet again in a month’s time, this time in the League Cup second round on Friday 25^th October (7.30pm), Mousehole’s first-ever game under the new floodlights at Trungle Parc.

Mousehole have a chance to complete a two-month unbeaten sequence of games when they return to League action on Saturday (28^th) with the trip to Boscawen Park to face St Dennis (3pm).  The Saints are having a disappointing season, lying 18th in the league table with only one win and two draws from their opening nine games, as well as losing their last two matches by big margins – 7-1 at St Blazey in the League Cup at the weekend and 9-3 at Penzance in the Charity Cup yesterday. 

Mousehole at Porthleven: Mikey Flores, Billy Curtis (captain), Ben Harding, Jamie Devine, Paulo Sousa, Lez Cela, Rheiss McClean, Scott Imade, Amara Bakayoko, Kieran Toland, Imani Matthews

Substitutes:  Steven Ziboth (or Imani Matthews, 67), Gerens James (for Rheiss McClean, 67), Sam Shulberg (for Lez Cela, 89), Tom Hands, Corey Harvey

Scorers: Kieran Toland (19, 35, 50), Lez Cela (21), Scott Imade (30), Paulo Sousa (71)

Officials: Referee – Derek Fox;  Assistants – Dave Rowe & George Pattison

Attendance: 96 *The Merlin MS Centre is an independent Cornish charity located in mid-Cornwall in a purpose-built facility providing a comprehensive range of therapies for people whose lives are affected by Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, Stroke and ME Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  Contact and further details:  Bradbury House, Hewas Water PL26 7JF, telephone 01726 885530, email hello@merlinmscentre.org.uk, and website www.merlinmscentre.org.uk.

WADEBRIDGE TOWN 2-7 MOUSEHOLE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE CUP

sponsored by Walter C Parson Funeral Directors

FRIDAY 20^TH SEPTEMBER 2019

AT BODIEVE PARK

Two weeks previously a below-par Mousehole performance had seen them struggle to gain a very late equaliser in the 2-2 draw against Wadebridge Town in the home league fixture at Trungle Parc.  But in this away League Cup tie against the same opponents on Friday evening, that result was soon forgotten as The Seagulls made amends with a positive and confident display that could easily have produced a double-figure scoreline.

And the win sets up another milestone in the club’s impressive development – a second round tie against Porthleven on Friday 25^th October (7.30pm), Mousehole’s first-ever home match under their newly installed floodlights.

Manager Jake Ash made five changes to the starting line-up compared with the 1-1 home draw in the last match against league leaders St Austell, and the team’s dominance indicates the strength of the squad as they took The Seagulls’ unbeaten run to eleven games since the start of the season.

In front of a sparse crowd, with the travelling Seagulls supporters outnumbering the home fans, Rheiss McClean had already driven just past the angle from 18 yards shortly after the start, before he won himself and duly converted a penalty in the 9^th minute.

The youngster then sent over an inch-perfect cross in the 12^th minute after some keep-ball on the right and centre-back Ben Williams doubled the lead with an unmissable far-post header.

On 18 minutes Steven Ziboth cut in from the left after a surging run and his fierce shot cannoned off the far post before hitting the other post and nestling in keeper Rob Rosevear’s arms.

Unexpectedly, The Bridgers halved the deficit in the 20^th minute when a simple forward pass put Kyle Flew in the clear to score past the advancing Corey Harvey.

But straight from the re-start Mousehole restored the two-goal margin with Rheiss McClean sliding the ball home after being put through by Scott Imade’s  incisive pass by between two defenders.

The Seagull’s attacking play continued to threaten the Wadebridge goal, Ziboth and McClean both coming close to adding to the lead before the hosts created a couple of attempts in a good five minute spell.  After this, Mousehole regained the initiative to end the half on top, Rosevear making an important save from Lez Cela on 38 and a last-ditch clearance denying the visitors on 42.

Just four minutes after the interval Lez Cela made it 4-1, beating three defenders with deft movement and footwork outside the box before sending a slide-rule low shot into the far corner.

Back came the home side on 54 minutes and Lewis Prince pulled a goal back with a volley from the edge of the box after an uncleared corner.  Chances continued to be made at the other end, Rheiss McClean miscuing a shot from Ziboth’s cross when a much-deserved hat-trick goal looked likely.

Amara Bakayoko came on as a Mousehole substitute and within 12 minutes had scored one goal and laid on two more. On 74 he whipped a typical left-footed 18-yarder low into the net after some patient passing had created the space for the shot, and four minutes later his fierce drive forced the diving Rosevear to push the shot out, with Kieran Toland first to the loose ball to score.  The same combination made it 7-2 in the 83^rd minute, this time Toland meeting Bakayoko’s cross at the far post.

The game ended with the visitors in complete control, Rheiss McClean again close to a treble when Rosevear tipped his 25-yard shot on to the post, and Imani Matthews firing just wide of the upright after Scott Imade had ventured forward from his well-executed holding midfield duties. 

In the next week Mousehole have two more away fixtures – at Porthleven on Wednesday 25^th (7.30pm) in the first round of the Cornwall Charity Cup, and at St Dennis on Saturday 25^th (3pm) in the League. 

Then comes another much-anticipated top-of-the-table league match when Saltash United – currently sharing with Mousehole an unbeaten record this season – visit Trungle Parc on Saturday 5th October (3pm). 

In a quirk of the fixture list, The Seagulls then have four away league matches in a row, before that significant evening cup tie under lights at the end of the month against Porthleven – the third of four occasions that the two teams face each other this season.

Mousehole at Wadebridge:  Corey Harvey, Billy Curtis (captain), Ben Williams, Jamie Devine, Tom Hands, Scott Imade, Lez Cela, Kieran Toland, Rheiss McLean, Gerens James, Steven Ziboth

Substitutes: Paulo Sousa for Tom Hands, 55), Amara Bakayoko (for Gerens James, 71), Imani Matthews (for Steven Ziboth, 80), Ben Harding, Sam Shulberg

Scoring sequence: First half  0-1, 0-2, 1-2, 1-3.  Second half  1-4, 2-4, 2-5, 2-6, 2-7

Mousehole scorers: Rheiss McLean (9 pen, 21), Ben Williams (12), Lez Cela (49), Amara Bakayoko (74), Kieran Toland (78, 83)

Officials: Referee – Adrian Clements, Assistants – Luke Wilkes & Sam Doble

MOUSEHOLE 1-1 ST AUSTELL

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, PREMIER WEST

SATURDAY 14^TH SEPTEMBER 2019

AT TRUNGLE PARC

Billed as Mousehole’s highest-level league match in their history, The Seagulls came very close to gaining the three points needed to climb level with table-topping St Austell.

As it turned out, the Lillywhites will have been more than satisfied, and possibly relieved, with an away point from a closely contested encounter in which Mousehole had the better chances and were millimetres away from a famous victory in the closing stages.

On a perfect surface, the game had plenty of goalmouth incident, ebb and flow, and controversy, making for an enthralling 90 minutes, the two sides playing with quality albeit with contrasting styles: overall excellent value for the biggest Trungle Parc crowd of the season on a bright and hot afternoon, and a great advert for Step 6 football in Cornwall. 

The draw takes Mousehole’s unbeaten run to ten games since promotion, including four draws each of which might just have resulted in wins.  And this was a case in point, the main issue coming on 81 minutes when a low right wing cross into a busy six yard box was thumped against the underside of the crossbar, rebounding down on to the goal line and bouncing up again, with the officials unmoved by claims the ball had sprung back into play from the roof of the net.

St Austell provided the first real threat as early as the 5^th minute, keeper Corey Harvey gathering a dangerous low cross at his near post. The hosts then  suffered a setback on 9 minutes when Mark Richards received a shoulder injury in a midfield tussle, the centre back going off for treatment for six minutes but eventually substituted by Ben Williams just after the half-hour.

Captain Billy Curtis scored his second goal of the season to put Mousehole ahead in the 17^th minute, venturing forward from his defensive duties to the centre-forward position to plant a firm header past keeper Jason Chapman’s full-length dive into the corner of the net after a pin-point cross from the right by Lez Cela.

With The Seagulls controlling play, Imani Matthews had a clear chance to double the score just two minutes later, running on to a pass into space down the middle but over-running the ball with only Chapman to beat.

That miss became more relevant on 21 minutes as Dan Perryman drove in an equaliser at the far post following a quick forward break, and on 24 Harry Clarke looked certain to give the visitors the lead after taking the ball round Corey Harvey in another impressive St Austell attack, but Billy Curtis earned his man-of-the-match credentials by heading the shot off the line.

Back came The Seagulls and an evenly-matched half-hour ended with Chapman doing well to tip over Gerens James’ 18-yard effort and a foul on Imani Matthews deemed to be inches outside the penalty area.

The game then swung the Lillywhites’ way with the injured Kieran Toland now off the field for treatment, and in another fast raid a low right-wing cross just evaded two lurking forwards on the edge of the six-yard box.

The last five minutes before the interval saw The Seagulls completely on top, Lez Cela being crowded out as he moved on to Billy Curtis’ penetrating pass into the heart of the visitors’ defence, Gerens James turning on to Amara Bakayoko’s driven cross but firing wide of the near post from close range, the returning Kieran Toland shaving the post with a measured shot from 20 yards with Chapman beaten, and Cela’s shot being pushed out by the busy keeper for a corner from which Toland side-footed against the bar with the ball hacked clear off the line.

The end-to-end action continued early in the second half, Perryman almost putting the Lillywhites ahead in the 48^th minute, slotting a shot from 12 yards against the far post with Corey Harvey then in the right place to save the follow-up.  Shortly afterwards Imani Matthews went past three defenders on the left before curving his shot past the post in the 51^st minute.  St Austell then had a good five minute spell, Perryman wasting a golden chance with a miscued 30-yard lob over the stranded Harvey but a minute later forcing the keeper into a vital near-post block.

At the other end Amara Bakayoko outpaced the stretched defence with a swift break from St Austell’s own corner in the 65^th minute but finished with a weak shot, and on 69 Kieron Toland’s left-footer from 10 yards in a congested area in front of goal cannoned off the unsighted Chapman’s legs.  Gerens James’ shot from Billy Curtis’ cross was deflected into the side netting on 78 and Chapman made an elastic save under his crossbar from Bakayoko’s viciously swerving corner. 

Then came the closest incident of all in the 81^st minute, and with St Austell not just riding their luck but seeking a late winner Hayden Turner fired over from a very promising position.

Described by the Mousehole faithful as the best game of football seen at Trungle Parc for years, the afternoon also proved that The Seagulls can compete on at least an equal footing with the very best – in this instance, their carefully controlled possession versus St Austell’s quick and direct approach.  And on this form – and with some attention to converting chances – they will earn the right to be regarded as legitimate contenders at the top of the league as the season progresses.

Mousehole now face three away fixtures before the arrival at Trungle Parc on Saturday 5^th October of Saltash United – currently the only other unbeaten side in the Division.

Next Friday (20^th), The Seagulls travel to Wadebridge Town for a League Cup first round tie, with a 7.30pm kick off.

The following Wednesday (25^th) sees the first round of the Cornwall Charity Cup away at Porthleven (7.30pm).

Then it’s a return to league action on Saturday 28^th with a visit to St Dennis (3pm).

Mousehole:  Corey Harvey, Billy Curtis (captain), Mark Richards, Ben Harding, Paulo Sousa, Scott Imade, Lez Cela, Kieran Toland, , Amara Bakayoko, Gerens James, Imani Matthews

Substitutes:  Ben Williams (for Mark Richards, 33), Steven Ziboth (for Imani Matthews, 74), Jamie Devine,  Rheiss McLean, Tom Hands

Mousehole scorer:  Billy Curtis (17)

Officials:  Referee Mark Hosking, Assistant Referees Neil Stephens & Ray Emmans

Attendance: 143

GODOLPHIN ATLANTIC 0-3 MOUSEHOLE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, PREMIER WEST

WEDNESDAY 11^TH SEPTEMBER 2019

AT GODOLPHIN WAY NEWQUAY

The Seagulls got the job done – three points away from home, a second consecutive ‘clean sheet’, with a much-changed line-up, on a misty and drizzly evening at a difficult venue, against an energetic Godolphin Atlantic.

The win takes this season’s unbeaten run to nine since promotion, ahead of arguably the biggest league match in the club’s history, a home fixture against table-topping St Austell this Saturday (3pm), with the leaders now a mere three points ahead from the same number of games.

Manager Jake Ash made several changes to the squad compared with last Saturday’s convincing 5-0 performance against Liskeard Athletic, and the replacements all played an important part in the win at Godolphin, who are re-building after the departure of some of their long-standing players in the summer.

The hosts rarely made inroads into the Mousehole defence, their main weapon being a series of 30-yard long throws into the box.  But Corey Harvey still had to be alert on two early occasions, parrying a fierce angled drive by Ben Colquahn in the 10^th minute and then tipping over a dipping shot from 20 yards by Craig Harvey on 21.

Kieran Toland put the visitors ahead in the 16^th minute with his 11^th goal of the season, after Gerens James’ short lay-off created the space for a 20-yard effort, with diving keeper Ryan Holland beaten by the power of the shot as it spun high into the net off his body.

Mousehole had their customary superior possession throughout the half, Amara Bakayoko coming closest with shots blocked in the 20^th and 30^th minutes, and Tom Hands’ superb cross from the left just evading Gerens James in front of goal on 33, while Rheiss McClean’s forward bursts nearly brought goals in the 37^th and 42md minutes.  At the other end Billy Curtis bravely blocked Craig Harvey’s goalbound drive from within the area on 35 in a rare Godolphin threat.

The second half continued in the same vein, Holland saving Gerens James’ low drive on 51, Ben Williams heading against the outside of the post from Rheiss McClean’s curving cross on 67,  James again coming close with a shot just past the post on 75, and shortly afterwards Holland putting himself in the way of another Bakayoko pile-driver. 

Just as Godolphin might have been thinking of mounting a late challenge at only one goal behind, Mousehole got the second goal their play fully deserved on 77 minutes.  Gerens James and substitute Scott Imade worked a fraction of space on a congested 18-yard line with a nimble one-two, with the quick-footed Imade being tripped just inside the box and then hammering home the penalty kick underneath Holland’s dive.

Five minutes’ later the result was put beyond doubt when Bakayoko’s shot was parried by Holland at full stretch and Gerens James scooped the loose ball over the keeper for 3-0.

Mousehole: Corey Harvey, Billy Curtis (captain), Mark Richards, Ben Williams, Tom Hands, Kieran Toland, Rheiss McClean, Ben Harding, Amara Bakayoko, Gerens James, Imani Matthews

Substitutes:  Steven Ziboth (for Imani Matthews, 60), Scott Imade (for Rheiss McClean, 70), Sam Shulberg (for Gerens James, 89), Jamie Devine, Lez Cela

Scorers; Kieran Toland (16), Scott Imade (77 pen), Gerens James (85) Referee: Oliver Willcocks

MOUSEHOLE 5-0 LISKEARD ATHLETIC

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, PREMIER DIVISION WEST

SATURDAY 7^TH SEPTEMBER 2019

AT TRUNGLE PARC

The two best teams in last season’s Division One West met at Trungle Parc as champions Liskeard Athletic visited runners-up Mousehole for their first encounter since promotion, with the two sides in fifth and sixth place in the Premier Division.

But this was far from the expected evenly-matched contest, as Mousehole dominated proceedings from start to finish, playing with higher tempo and more incisive forward passing than in last week’s home draw with Wadebridge Town.

Four different scorers within the first hour opened up a convincing lead to confirm The Seagulls’ superiority.  Kieron Toland had already had a close-range shot blocked on 4 minutes by visiting keeper Ollie Chenoweth – his first save on a very busy afternoon – and Amara Bakoyoko had driven in from the right to shave the crossbar with a left-footer from 15 yards shortly afterwards, when the two combined in the 14^th minute as Toland tapped in Bakayoko’s low cross from the byeline after a series of quick passes outside the box.

Imani Matthews then had two golden chances, shooting wide of the near post in the 19^th minute after a swift one-two, and blasting over from inside the six yard box after a weaving run from the left in the 33^rd.  In between, Gerens James sent an instant low shot inside the far post to double the lead in the 33^rd minute.  And the marksman nearly scored twice more before the interval, racing on to Toland’s driven cross but firing wide on 35 and then forcing Chenoweth into a fine diving save from 18 yards on 44.

Any hopes of a Liskeard comeback were ended by two goals in five minutes early in the second half.  The excellent Lez Cela, playing in a more advanced role than of late, created the third goal with a skilful run and cross for Bakayoko to touch home in the 52^nd minute, and Imani Matthews made it 4-0 on 57 after a rare corner by the visitors was carefully cleared into space for the wingman to race 50 yards and drive past the exposed Chenoweth, who nevertheless got his hands to the fierce shot.

There was no let-up in The Seagulls’ forward momentum and Cela almost capped an impressive display with a shot hitting the post on 60, an angled effort deflected into the side netting on 62, and a dipping 25-yard free kick tipped over by Chenoweth.  The keeper was again called into action with a full-length save from Bakayoko’s 20-yarder on 69, but was indebted to his defence for hacking Cela’s shot off the line on 71.     

Liskeard’s goal expert James Lorenz – last season’s ‘golden boot’ winner with 50+ goals and currently dual-registered with Southern League Premier side Truro City at Step 3 – was then withdrawn injured, but such was Mousehole’s control of the match that he had had no opportunity to showcase his talents, with the home back-four mopping up any sign of danger and keeper Corey Harvey having his quietest match of the season as The Seagulls earned their second clean sheet of the current campaign.

In the last 15 minutes, Liskeard were in danger of being over-run, as James laid off a perfect pass for Cela to shoot just wide, substitute Rheiss McLean’s self-made chance found only the side netting, Cela’s glancing header from Billy Curtis’ cross flew wide, and a 15-yard drive by Bakayoko  cleared the bar after another short pass by James. 

But justice was finally done in the final few minutes when Gerens James slotted in for 5-0 after Chenoweth had done well to keep out at full stretch a goalbound shot from Cela.

Mousehole have now won five and drawn three of their opening eight fixtures at the higher level, and alongside Saltash United remain the only unbeaten team in the Division.  They will be aiming to consolidate their position among the top five with a visit to Newquay to face mid-table Godolphin Atlantic on Wednesday evening (7.30pm).  Godolphin are rebuilding their squad after a major exodus of long-serving players in the summer, and have so far won two, drawn two and lost four games, their last match resulting in a 4-0 home defeat to Porthleven on Saturday. 

Then follows on Saturday (14^th) The Seagulls’ biggest game of the season when St Austell arrive as league leaders at Trungle Parc (3pm).  St Austell have won eight of their nine matches and sit six points ahead having played one game more, Mousehole’s midweek trip to Godolphin in effect being their game in hand.

Mousehole:  Corey Harvey, Billy Curtis (captain), Mark Richards, Ben Harding, Paulo Sousa, Steve Burt, Lez Cela, Kieron Toland, Amara Bakayoko, Gerens James, Imani Matthews

Substitutes: Ben Williams (for Steve Burt, 67),  Rheiss McLean (for Kieron Toland, 79), Scott Imade (for Ben Harding 85), Jamie Devine, Steve Ziboth

Scorers: Kieron Toland (14), Gerens James (30, 90), Amara Bakayoko (52), Imani Matthews (57)

Referee:  Mike Glanville       Attendance: 114

MOUSEHOLE 2-2 WADEBRIDGE TOWN

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, PREMIER WEST

SATURDAY 31^ST AUGUST 2019

AT TRUNGLE PARC

The Seagulls put in a surprisingly below-par performance on a bright and breezy afternoon against a team they beat 6-0 towards the end of last season, and managed to come back from two goals in arrears to rescue a point with a goal right at the end of a dramatic and controversial finale.

On the positive side, the point keeps Mousehole in third place in the table and also preserves their unbeaten record in the first seven matches of this season after promotion.  Better still, The Seagulls have not lost a single league match during 2019, a run that has seen 18 wins in 21 games.

Wadebridge Town came into the match on the back of two home defeats in a week, including a 9-0 thrashing by leaders Saltash United, but their better form in away matches continued on Saturday.

The Seagulls created some early half-chances but the visitors were quickly into the tackle all over the pitch and the warning signs were already in evidence before Matt Lloyd dispossessed Lez Cela 35 yards from goal and promptly lobbed the ball over the stranded Corey Harvey in the 15^th minute.

The Bridgers went 2-0 up on 22 minutes when slack defending from a floated free kick on the left was touched on and Kyle Flew was first to the ball to prod in at the post.

Mousehole’s Paulo Sousa had twice hit the bar with crosses before captain Billy Curtis scored six minutes before the interval with a low angled shot after Ben Harding’s goalbound shot had been blocked.  But the expected upping of tempo did not materialise as passes were frequently misplaced amid a general lack of urgency.

Wadebridge went back on to massed defence for the second half, leaving Matt Lloyd as their sole attacker, and his persistence nearly brought further goals in the 57^th and 89^th minutes, Corey Harvey pulling off important full-length diving saves on each occasion.

In the meantime, the woodwork was again The Bridgers’ saviour as Lez Cela drove a 20 yard shot against the bar on 51,  Ben Harding struck the post from 18 yards on 65, and Kieran Toland headed a nodded-back corner against the bar on 69.  Veteran stand-in goalkeeper Paul Clark was proving to be Wadebridge’s unlikely hero as he twice saved with his feet and kept out a close-range Gerens James snapshot at his near post, while he was also fortunate that several chances in front of him were mishit.

Young referee Scott McKenzie was vigilant in stopping his watch as The Bridgers increasingly resorted to time-wasting, with players receiving  prolonged on-pitch treatment and causing frequent stoppages as the officials’ decisions were disputed.  The tactics continued well after the 90-minute mark and turned out to be the visitors’ downfall, as in the 10^th minute of added-on time substitute Imani Matthews turned on the edge of the box and drove a perfect shot into the top corner for a long-awaited equaliser.

Mousehole: Corey Harvey, Billy Curtis (captain), Mark Richards, Jamie Devine, Paulo Sousa, Ben Harding, Lez Cela, Rheiss McClean, Amara Bakayoko, Kieran Toland, Steven Ziboth

Substitutes: Gerens James (for Steven Ziboth, 35), Imani Matthews (for Rheiss McLean, 64), Scott Imade (for Ben Harding, 77), Steve Burt, Sam Shulberg

Mousehole scorers: Billy Curtis (39), Imani Matthews (90+10)

Referee: Scott McKenzie      Attendance: 81

*Mousehole’s next match is next Saturday (7^th September), when they will be looking to extend their unbeaten record with a home fixture against Liskeard Athletic (3pm).  The game will see last season’s Division One West runners-up versus the champions, with the two sides currently third and fourth in the Premier Division table after promotion.

MOUSEHOLE 7-1 CALLINGTON TOWN

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, PREMIER WEST

SATURDAY 24^TH AUGUST 2019

The one downside so far to Mousehole’s new season at the highest level in the club’s history had been their failure to put away the countless chances created by their fine approach play.  But this was put right emphatically on Saturday as Jake Ash’s team at last showed a clinical streak to record a resounding victory – and in truth their east-Cornwall visitors could well have suffered an even heavier defeat.

With no let-up in Mousehole’s intensity, the goals ranged from the first to the 91^st minute, Gerens James starting off the proceedings straightaway and talented newcomer Scott Imade polishing things off right at the end.

The win keeps The Seagulls in third place in the table after five games and also leaves them one of only two undefeated teams in the league alongside leaders Saltash United.

Last season’s 43-goal striker Gerens James proved he has not lost his scoring touch by opening his account for the current campaign inside the first minute.  Kieran Toland powered his way to the byeline on the right and his low cross was unhesitatingly tucked home from 10 yards. 

Steven Ziboth then also got his first goal of the season in the 25^th minute, racing from halfway on to a skilfully-weighted ball over the top to score past exposed keeper Jake Mead.

Amara Bakayoko had already hit the post before making it 3-0 in the 43^rd minute, his sheer pace taking him past the last defender and round the keeper to roll into an empty net.

Gerens James and Kieran Toland were both denied ‘goals’ by the officials and Toland shot into the side netting after a great turn in the box, while assistant manager Ben Harding came close to a rare career goal with an 18-yard side-footer just wide of the post.

Callington were forced to replace keeper Mead  – injured earlier in the half – with outfield player Elliot Cunningham at the interval, and the substitute was quickly in action, keeping out a Bakayoko shot on 48.  But he was left stranded in the 54^th minute when Toland made a trade-mark forward run to collect a chipped pass and lob the ball home for 4-0.

To their credit, the visitors – who had earned their first point of the season with an unexpected 3-3 draw at Liskeard Athletic in midweek – kept probing at the other end, with The Seagulls’ otherwise under-occupied keeper Mikey Flores called into action three times in four minutes.

The 71^st minute saw a mix-up in front of an open goal when James and Ziboth got in each other’s way after Bakayoko had set up the perfect chance, but the next score was not long in coming as Toland again got to the byeline this time on the left and James dispatched his cross high into the net in the 76^th minute.

Stand-in keeper Cunningham made another smart save on 79 minutes before Bakayoko scored his second goal to make it 6-0 four minutes from the end with a low drive inside the near post after a skilful flicked pass from Imade.

Callington got on the scoresheet with a well thought-out goal on 88 when a free kick on the left was aimed low towards the near post where Harry Bell capped an industrious performance with a deft touch past Flores.

But the scoring still wasn’t over, as Imade finished off a lively 25 minutes coming off the bench with a central 20-yard free kick cleverly placed round the defensive wall and into the corner.

Mousehole’s next fixture is away at St Blazey this Wednesday (28^th, 7.30pm).  The hosts have won three and lost two so far, but will be buoyed by two successes in a row, 2-0 at Penzance in midweek followed by 4-1 at Wendron United on Saturday.

The Seagulls then complete August’s intriguing seven-match run of games with a home match against Wadebridge Town on Saturday 31^st with a 3pm kick off.

Mousehole:  Mikey Flores, Billy Curtis (captain), Mark Richards, Ben Williams, Paulo Sousa, Lez Cela, Kieran Toland, Ben Harding, Amara Bakayoko, Gerens James, Steven Ziboth

Substitutes:  Scott Imade (for Lez Cela, 65), Tom Hands (for Ben Harding, 65), Tyler Tonkin (for Steven Ziboth, 78), Jamie Devine

Mousehole scorers: Gerens James (1, 76), Steven Ziboth (25), Amara Bakayoko (43, 86), Kieran Toland (54), Scott Imade (90+1) Referee: Jon Green.     Attendance: 78

PORTHLEVEN 2-2 MOUSEHOLE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, PREMIER WEST

WEDNESDAY 21st AUGUST 2019

AT GALA PARC

The battle of The Fishermen versus The Seagulls finished all square as a penalty scored with the last kick of the match denied Mousehole all three points after they had cruised into a two-goal lead within the first half hour.

Failure to convert their many clear cut first-half chances in the end cost The Seagulls dearly,  as illustrated shortly before the interval when the hosts pulled a goal back completely against the run of play. 

Despite being outplayed for much of the first half, Porthleven found the resolve and impetus in the second period to win more of the midfield battles and increasingly put the visitors’ defence under pressure.

And in the 93rd minute they were awarded a spot kick when keeper Corey Harvey raced off his line to intercept a threatening pass from the left but clattered into both ball and player.  Charlie Young scored down the middle to complete the home side’s comeback and referee Liam Mankee immediately blew for full time.

Mousehole had started the match in controlled fashion, creating several dangerous situations around Porthleven’s box, with Amara Bakayoko and Steven Ziboth constantly involved in pacy raids down the flanks.

The visitors took the lead in the 15th minute when captain Billy Curtis’ sharp low cross was touched in by the well-positioned Kieran Toland from six yards for his sixth goal of the season.

Mousehole continued to dictate play and after Port’s keeper Martin Webster had acrobatically tipped over Gerens James’ header from a Bakayoko cross on 22 minutes, the latter put his side into a two-goal lead on 28, latching on to Ziboth’s excellent pass into space on the right, and cutting in on to his favoured left foot to hammer a low drive into the net.

Porthleven’s first attack on the half-hour then came to nothing, while Toland at the other end hit the post, the first of four efforts from Mousehole that struck the woodwork on the night.

With The Seagulls taking much greater care of the ball, Gerens James just failed to register his first goal of the season, putting a reaction shot over from close range, and Steven Ziboth raced half the length of the pitch before shooting narrowly past the far angle.

In the last few minutes of the half, with Porthleven restricted to long-range shooting, Corey Harvey had to make a flying save and shortly afterwards was relieved to see another shot clip the top of the bar.  

But the hosts unexpectedly got on the scoresheet two minutes before half-time with the simplest of goals, George Molcher racing on to a straight through ball shoulder to shoulder with centre-back Mark Richards and prodding the ball home from 15 yards with the aid of a deflection off the defender’s boot.

The Fishermen came out of the home dressing room with a renewed sense of purpose, and looked the more spirited of the two sides as the second half wore on.  

Mousehole still had the chances to make the game safe, Toland having a drive tipped on to the bar, Ziboth hitting the far post when well placed, and a relieved defender being saved from an own goal by the woodwork.  

But Porthleven, breaking forward with energy, were now regularly winning back possession and forcing their opponents into mistakes, Harvey having to make a one-on-one save and Mark Richards hurling himself heroically in front of a point-blank shot.

Just when The Seagulls looked as though they might survive a torrid last 20 minutes, they were undone by another defensive misjudgement in the last seconds of the match.

At this early stage of the season there is no doubt that if Jake Ash’s side can develop a more ruthless streak in front of goal to finish off their impressive approach play, their opponents will not be able to gain the sort of foothold seen in the latter stages of some recent matches.

On the positive side, the draw preserves Mousehole’s unbeaten four-match start to the new season after promotion, with 8 points out of 12 – including from three away games –  positioning them in third place in the table. The Seagulls are one of only four unbeaten sides in the Premier West League, the others being leaders St Austell, second place Saltash United, and Mousehole’s fellow promotees St Dennis.

Before the end of the month, The Seagulls face three games which will be a test of what has been learned so far.

This Saturday (24th), Mousehole have a home fixture at Trungle Parc against Callington Town 3pm).  The visitors gained their first point of the season in midweek with an unexpected 3-3 draw at Liskeard Athletic, who had won away in their previous game at much-fancied Helston Athletic.

Next Wednesday (28th), The Seagulls travel to St Blazey for a 7.30pm kick off, and the Saturday afterwards (31st) sees another home game when Wadebridge Town are the visitors (3pm).

Mousehole: Corey Harvey, Billy Curtis (captain), Mark Richards, Jamie Devine, Paulo Sousa, Lez Cela, Ben Harding, Kieron Toland, Amara Bakayoko, Gerens James, Steven Ziboth

Substitutes: Tyler Tonkin, Tom Hands, Ben Williams, Mikey Flores, Pasha Wilson

Mousehole scorers: Kieran Toland (15), Amara Bakayoko (28) Referee: Liam Mankee.  

MOUSEHOLE 3-2 CAMELFORD

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, PREMIER WEST

SATURDAY 17^TH AUGUST 2019

Mousehole’s first home match at the highest playing level in the club’s history resulted in a hard-fought win and continued their impressive start to the new season with seven points out of nine and second place in the early league table.

But on a perfectly manicured surface Jake Ash’s team found it tough going against the well-organised visitors, and had to step up their game in the second half after trailing by a goal to nil at the interval.

The match was preceded by a respectfully observed minute’s silence in honour of Bill Pearce, a familiar face to many who traveled to RNAS Culdrose in the Combination League days, who died on Friday.

Mousehole were on top in the opening exchanges, coming close three times inside the first seven minutes, keeper Luke Gwillam parrying Kieran Toland’s fierce drive from 18 yards, Amara Bakayoko just unable to reach Steven Ziboth’s cross in front of goal, and Gerens James volleying wide from the same player.

The action continued with Camelford almost snatching the lead with a shot wide of the far post after the hosts had given the ball away in defence, while immediately afterwards James’ header came back off the bar.  Ziboth then had a shot hacked off the line and Seagulls keeper Corey Harvey punched away a dangerous inswinging free kick.

Both sides were trying to play out from the back but Mousehole were looking the more threatening with range of attacking angles, none more so than when Kieran Toland broke through from behind the offside trap with a now-familiar forward run in the 36^th minute, only to shoot high and wide when a goal looked certain.

The miss looked particularly costly when Camelford took the lead three minutes later, centre back Leighton Carhart side-footing into the corner from 10 yards out when a long throw from near the corner flag was nodded on.  And after another three minutes it could have been a second goal when Josh Insley burst through on goal with the advancing Harvey winning the one-on-one battle with his feet.

The half-time team talk had an immediate effect as Mousehole completely dominaed the opening quarter-hour with quicker passing and more direct running.  Ziboth forced Gwillam to tip over a 20-yard drive on 51 minutes, and then followed two goals in a devastating four minute spell that completely changed the complexion of the match.  On 57, Kieran Toland took the ball in from the right after some defence-splitting passing and from a narrow angle found the far corner with a low drive for the equaliser. 

Two minutes later the same player had a ‘goal’ disallowed after Bakayoko had crossed from marginally outside the byeline, but The Seagulls were now in full flow and Amara Bakayoko scored a second with a thumping left-footed shot after a short corner had set him up to turn his marker at pace on the edge of the box.

Kieran Toland appeared to have made the game safe with his second goal in the 77^th minute as his shot arrowed into the top corner from 20 yards after a Ziboth assist, but last week’s hat-trick scorer was denied another treble after being withdrawn injured five minutes later. 

Ed Harrison brought an unrealistic look to the scoreline and the balance of play with a 25-yard attempt on goal that bounced and swerved past Harvey in the 89^th minute to make it 3-2.

Mousehole will be more pleased with the points than the performance, and will need to be at their best throughout the match when they travel the short distance to face Porthleven for their fourth league fixture of the season this Wednesday (21^st August, kick off 7.30pm).  Port’s three matches so far have resulted in one win (4-1 at Wadebridge Town), one draw (2-2 at home to Dobwalls on the opening Saturday) and one defeat (2-0 at St Austell last Saturday).

Mousehole:  Corey Harvey, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Mark Richards, Paulo Sousa, Lez Cela, Steve Burt, Kieran Toland, Amara Bakayoko, Gerens James, Steven Ziboth.

Substitutes:  Lukas Corner (for Kieran Toland 82), Jamie Devine, Ben Harding, Jake Ash.

Mousehole scorers:  Kieran Toland (51, 77), Amara Bakayoko (61).

Referee: Marc Rose.        Attendance: 76.