BODMIN TOWN 1-3 MOUSEHOLE

PENINSULA PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 10^TH AUGUST 2019

AT PRIORY PARK

Anyone who doubted that newly-promoted Mousehole could hold their own against Cornwall’s long-established ‘big guns’ will now have to think again, after a comprehensive win at the home of Bodmin Town, the region’s biggest trophy winners in recent times.

Results after a tough opening two fixtures in four days, a draw at Falmouth Town followed by this win, give The Seagulls an excellent platform for the season and justify the club’s footballing philosophy, based on passing, possession and patience.

Manager Jake Ash, returning to the club where he finished his illustrious playing career a few months ago, selected the same starting eleven as in the 0-0 draw at Falmouth on Wednesday evening, except for last season’s top scorer Gerens James replacing Lukas Corner.

But it was Kieran Toland who this time grabbed the goal-scoring headlines with a hat-trick, having put Mousehole into a 2-0 lead within the first 13 minutes.  The first came after 10 minutes when a short corner routine enabled Reece Mitchell to cross into the middle, where Toland latched on to the knock-down to net from six yards.  Three minutes later the same player’s run from deep easily beat the offside trap to take the ball round the keeper and into an empty net.

The remainder of the first half saw chances at both ends, with Mousehole controlling most of the play and creating openings to no avail, while Bodmin relied on the occasional quick break from midfield.

The Seagulls came close to settling the game early in the second period, but Bodmin were handed an unlikely lifeline in the 63^rd minute when a jostle on the edge of the box was deemed to be worthy of a penalty, but Max Gilbert wasted the gift by sending his spot kick wide via the outside of the post. 

The home side nevertheless piled on the pressure and came close twice a few minutes later, while at the other end Lez Cela, Gerens James and Amara Bakayoko all might have extended the lead. 

Inside the last ten minutes, an unsavoury but unpunished off-the-ball incident by Jordan Trott on Bakayoko unsettled the visitors’ composure, and with centre back Nathan Summers now deployed up front Corey Harvey had to make a great double-save to prevent the hosts getting back into the match. 

Finally, Kieran Toland brought relief with his hat-trick goal in the 86^th minute , slotting in from a pull-back by Bakayoko whose electric pace on the right had created the opening.  And in the 89^th minute, Bodmin got on the scoresheet when Lance Bailey drove a low shot into the far corner from 15 yards.

Mousehole and their great band of supporters will consider that their overall performance deserved a much greater margin of victory, while Bodmin may be wondering what might have happened if they had converted the chances that came their way.

Next Saturday, 17^th August, sees a momentous occasion for Mousehole when they play their first home match at the highest-ever level in the club’s history with the visit to Trungle Parc of Camelford (kick off 3pm).  The Camels, who are in their 8^th season after promotion to the Premier Division, open their campaign with a home game against Godolphin on Tuesday.

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

Substitutes:  Ben Williams (for Reece Mitchell, 64), Steven Ziboth (for Lez Cela, 74), Lukas Corner (for Gerens James,78), Callum George, Tyler Tonkin

Mousehole scorer:  Kieran Toland (10, 13, 86) Referee: Paul Kempen

FALMOUTH TOWN 0-0 MOUSEHOLE

Mousehole’s first league match at the highest level in their history resulted in a goal-less draw at Falmouth, with a sizeable crowd of 253 boosted by a large and enthusiastic contingent of Seagulls’ supporters.

This was no defensively-minded nil-nil game, with Mousehole completely dominating the first 70 minutes but failing to turn their superiority into goals, allowing the hosts to come back into contention in an exciting end-to-end finish.

Jake Ash, in his first competitive match as manager, and returning to the club where he started his senior football career, may well feel this was a case of two points dropped, but on the other hand a point at one of the south-west’s recently most successful clubs is a creditable outcome and bodes well for the coming season.

Mousehole had pegged Falmouth back in their own half for much of the first half, creating five chances and drawing ten fouls before the Town mounted a rare attack in the 40^th minute. 

Lukas Corner was unable to connect with passes in front of goal in the 5^th and 8^th minutes, while former Seagulls’ ‘keeper Steve Parker-Billinge beat out shots by Kieron Toland (21 minutes)  and Lez Cela (35).  The ‘keeper was fortunate when he missed an inswinging corner on 22 minutes but centre back Mark Richards stabbed the ball wide at the far post.  Reece Mitchell then appeared to be tripped inside the box but loud claims for a penalty were ignored by referee Mark Hosking. 

Five minutes before half time Falmouth finally got a look-in when captain Joe Cooper came up from the back to glance a header wide from a long throw by ex-Seagull Luke Johnson. 

Amara Bakayoko had been influential in many of Mousehole’s attacking moves and his under-pressure marker Ollie Moody was substituted at half time after a succession of fouls and a yellow card.

Mousehole continued the pattern after the break, Reece Mitchell firing just wide after 48 minutes and Kieron Toland shooting over on 51, having a shot saved by Parker-Billinge’s feet two minutes later and a fierce drive parried by the keeper on 62. 

On 65 Mitchell was again denied a plausible penalty after being baulked in the area and on 72 was surging in on goal when chopped down inches outside the 18-yard line, resulting in only a yellow card for Ben Oliver but a fruitless free kick.  Closer still, Lez Cela turned the defence inside-out in the 74^th minute but shot into the side netting.

It was at that point that Falmouth upped their game with some fast breaks and numbers from midfield.  Seagulls keeper Corey Harvey had to be alert to cut out two dangerous through-balls and Ryan Martt hooked over a good chance from 8 yards from a knocked-down free kick.

However, the best chance of all came Mousehole’s way on 77 after an incisive move, Mark Richards’ quick pass forward allowing Kieron Toland to race into space on the right and pull the ball back for Amara Bakayoko, only for the shot on the wingman’s favoured left foot to slide just past the far post. 

The let-off re-energised the home team and Corey Harvey had to make another two excellent saves in the last 12 minutes, tipping over a fierce 25-yard drive by Dave Broglino and then sprawling to keep out Matt Buchan’s side-foot shot in a one-on-one situation after Mousehole had uncharacteristically given the ball away.

So, a great opening game ended with honours even, with Mousehole playing plenty of good football and not looking at all out of place in the higher league, but lacking on this occasion that necessary element of ruthlessness to have secured the points long before Falmouth threatened a win of their own in the closing stages.

Challenges at this level come in quick succession, as Jake Ash takes his squad to another of his former clubs on Saturday (10^th) with the journey up the A30 to Bodmin Town, Cornwall’s most trophy-laden club in recent years – kick off at Priory Park is 3pm. 

The following Saturday (17^th) Mousehole host their first ever home game in the Peninsula League Premier with the visit of Camelford – kick off at Trungle Parc is 3pm.

Peninsula Premier club Mousehole AFC are delighted to announce that goal-scoring winger Hamza Kaid has been offered a full-time professional contract with Colchester United after an impressive week-long trial.

The 20-year old becomes the third Mousehole player in less than 12 months to earn a pro football contract, proving the club’s pathway and setting the standards for all youth players in the academy and across west Cornwall, who are aspiring to become professional footballers.

Since joining The Seagulls in late October last year, Hamza has developed rapidly under the full-time training programme – Mousehole being the only club in the County to offer full-time players daily expert coaching – and has gained positive reviews for his skilful and dynamic style coupled with a double-figure tally of goals.

Mousehole’s Football Operations Director Adam Fletcher commented: “The daily training by a group of top class coaches at Mousehole has certainly made a big difference to Hamza.  There’s never been any doubt about his skill and speed, but he’s now also become a more resilient hard-working off-the-ball team player.  Although this is a jump of seven steps in the football pyramid for him, we are confident he has what it takes to make a success of it.”

Chairman Tim Richardson added: “This is great news all round – but it also demonstrates that there are lots of talented young players who, for whatever reason, have been overlooked and are in danger of not fulfilling their potential, or their dreams.  We are building a proud record of doing something about that through our trials, contacts and the work of Endorsed Academy.  At the same time this fresh talent can bring something new to the club and be a part of Mousehole’s developing success, which also provides a platform for their own advancement.”

Colchester United have played in League Two since 2016, and finished 8^th out of the 24 teams last season.  The under-23s play in the Professional Development League, the second tier of Reserve football in England.  The Us moved to the brand-new 10k-capacity Colchester Community Stadium in 2008.

Mousehole AFC are on the hunt for the next generation of female players after receiving a grant of £4,500 under the FA’s Grow the Game scheme.

The scheme, which is funded by The Football Association [The FA] and delivered by the Football Foundation, will enable The Seagulls to create three new teams, providing a significant boost to female participation opportunities in Cornwall.

The Grow the Game scheme sees grants of £1,500 awarded to community football clubs wishing to create new teams, especially amongst under-represented groups.

This year, the funding was made available for clubs looking to create new female and disability football teams, in order to assist with the costs of FA coaching courses; FA league affiliation costs; referees’ fees; first aid kits; football kit and equipment.

Matt James, Academy Manager at Mousehole, is delighted with the award: “The FA’s financial support will definitely enable us to respond positively to the ever-increasing demand for footballing opportunities for girls and women in the area.  We will be now able to create and sustain a range of female teams, and promote their enjoyment, self-improvement and social and health benefits.”

By a strange quirk of the newly issued Peninsula Premier League fixture list, Mousehole’s first two matches of the 2019/20 season are away at Falmouth Town and Bodmin Town – the first and last  clubs at which recently appointed manager Jake Ash played.

In Jake’s first ever game in management, Mousehole will travel on Wednesday 7th August the short distance to Falmouth Town, the first senior club he played for until moving to an illustrious ten year stint with Truro City.

And just a few days later, on Saturday 10th August, The Seagulls are away at Bodmin Town, where Jake spent the last couple of seasons after leaving Truro City.

Mousehole will relish the challenge of facing two of Cornwall’s biggest clubs as they start their first season after promotion at the highest level in the club’s history.  And Jake Ash will view those first two matches as a measure of the team’s capabilities as they look to make a name for themselves as serious promotion contenders again.

The Seagulls’ first home match of the season is on Saturday 17th August when Camelford are the visitors, and this is followed by another short midweek trip to Porthleven on Wednesday 21st August.

With another home match on Saturday 24th August against Callington Town, an away game at St Blazey (Wednesday 28th) and a home encounter with Wadebridge Town (Saturday 31st), Mousehole  will have played seven of the season’s 38 league fixtures in just over three weeks, four of them against teams already established at the higher level.

By the end of August, the potential of Jake Ash’s squad will be a lot clearer!

In a significant and exciting move, Mousehole AFC have appointed Jake Ash – one of Cornwall’s best known, most respected, experienced and successful footballers – to the post of First Team Manager.

Jake Ash arrives at the club at a hugely important time, with the team on the verge of great things after a sparkling season as runners-up in Division One of the South West Peninsula League.  With promotion this coming season to the new Peninsula League Premier Division West, the team will be competing at Step 6, the highest level in its history.

And as the new Manager, Jake Ash’s remit will not just be to consolidate at that level, but to help fulfil the club’s ambition to progress in a sustainable manner further up the non-league pyramid.

Starting his senior football career at Falmouth Town, the versatile defender joined Truro City in 2005 and later became their long-standing captain.  He was a member of Cornwall’s most successful-ever football team, winning the FA Vase at Wembley in 2007, and achieving five promotions in six years with the club, still a national record.

More success was earned in recent years when Ash led Truro City to promotion into National League South (Step 2 of the NL System).  Latterly, he joined the Peninsula League’s most trophy-laden club Bodmin Town, although his recent appearances were curtailed by a lengthy injury.

For the last ten years, Truro-based Jake Ash has been Head of Football Development at Penryn College as well as the West Cornwall Schools District programme, during which time the various age groups under his leadership have achieved notable success both locally and nationally.

Speaking of his appointment at Mousehole, the 35-year old is enthusiastic about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead:

“This all happened quite quickly, but I couldn’t have chosen a better club than Mousehole to start my management career.  I was very much attracted by the professional ethos of the club – the vision, ambition and all-round support are amazing – and I’m also inheriting a great footballing legacy.  I certainly intend to do everything I can to justify the faith placed in me, and I can’t wait to get started!”

STATEMENT FROM MOUSEHOLE AFC

“Today, Mousehole AFC wish to announce that player/manager Kevin Nicholson has left the club.

With the rapid growth of the Academy, the Board have drawn up a new structure to ensure that due care and attention is given to both the First team and the Academy so that a high quality product is offered to the young boys and girls in the area.

Following extensive discussions, it became clear that Kev felt unable to commit to the new structure, and so we have reluctantly parted company.

Kev has done a truly fantastic job with the First team and leaves Mousehole on good terms and with the club’s best wishes for achieving his goal of managing in the Football League.

The former Torquay United defender and subsequently manager – described by their supporters as a ‘club legend’ – joined Mousehole in October and achieved a remarkable 85% win ratio from then on.  The Seagulls finished the season with the best defensive and goal-scoring record in the League and an amazing 14 straight wins to claim the runners-up spot – all this while playing to the Mousehole philosophy which encourages a winning mentality with a high-energy, pleasing-on-the-eye style.

The players have shown great improvements under Kev’s leadership and will be looking to develop further their skills, experience and know-how next season to push for successive promotions.

In Kev’s time with the Academy we have seen the numbers grow and the organisation improve greatly as he and the excellent Matty James (Head of Academy) have worked tirelessly to ensure the kids, coaches and parents are looked after and supported, just as they would if part of a football league set up.

Kevin Nicholson leaves us in a great position to kick on again and take things to the next level.  He will always be welcome back at Trungle Parc as a true friend of the football club.  We would also like to thank him for his professionalism and continued support while the club have explored our options.  A statement about his successor will be made public very shortly.”