Mousehole AFC have withdrawn from the recent approach by Penzance AFC to re-explore a potential merger between the two clubs.

Recognising that people will want to understand what has happened, there is more detail below.

At the outset, Penzance AFC explained that their rationale to merge was that it would be in the community’s interests to build a new club together.  We have therefore been working on this basis alongside each other, with a commitment to openness and collaboration.

However, in the last few days Penzance AFC have indicated that, unbeknown to us, they have also been exploring a completely different plan.

This self-evidently raises questions over the original motivation and rationale for the merge.  It also demonstrates how differently the two clubs operate and how any future collaboration would need further thought.

Moving on, Mousehole AFC wish Penzance AFC every success with their planning for the coming season and beyond.

Recently, Mousehole have played a major part in re-forming Marazion AFC as well as helping out our neighbours Ludgvan through last season, and remain firmly committed to supporting local clubs and the community in the future.

Additionally, the club would also like to pay tribute to the work of the 50-plus volunteers and committee members, whose goodwill, honesty, togetherness and relentless efforts on a day to day basis are the bedrock of realising the club’s vision.

The club have no doubt this coming season will be the most exciting in Mousehole AFC’s history.

Bring it on!

#FlyingAllTogether

FXU LADIES 2-5 MOUSEHOLE WOMEN

CORNWALL WOMEN’S LEAGUE SUPPLEMENTARY CUP FINAL

TUESDAY 14^TH MAY 2019

AT GALA PARC.PORTHLEVEN

Mousehole Women added to the club’s growing trophy cabinet after a well supported and keenly contested cup final which produced seven superbly executed goals.

FXU Ladies – the Falmouth Exeter University team playing in only their first season – contributed hugely to an entertaining match which bodes well for the development of the women’s game.

Mousehole started slowly but broke the deadlock in the 15^th minute.  Tamara de Silva made a great run down the left flank from halfway to cross into the box, where Shannon Leigh got in front of her marker to stab the ball home from 10 yards.

The goalscorer then created the second goal on 35 minutes with a brilliant run and pass inside to enable Katy Barker to sidestep a defender and shoot low into the net from 15 yards.

Two stunning goals in quick succession ten minutes after half-time took the scoreline to 4-0.  Sophie Wilson surged forward from midfield to drive an accurate shot inside the post from 18 yards. And a minute later Katie Barker latched on to a long pass into space to take the ball round the advancing ‘keeper and touch the ball home.

Jo Barker then scored the goal of the game in the 73^rd minute, volleying a dropping through ball into the net via the far post from fully 25 yards, to give Mousehole  a 5-0 lead.

But to their credit, FXU stepped up their game to score two almost identical goals in the 75^th and 77^th minutes, Holly Ridge and Hattie Norbury prompting excited celebrations among team-mates and supporters with well-judged lobbed shots from the edge of the area.

Any hopes of the most unlikely of FXU comebacks were dispelled as Mousehole stood firm to see the game out, followed by captain Lindsey Mayers lifting the cup as both sides received appreciative applause during the medals presentation.

Mousehole Women’s squad:  Megan Orchard, Tamara de Silva, Leanne Harvey, Lyndsey Mayers, Flo Davis Kirsop, Charlotte Richards, Emilie Palmer, Megan Edwards, Emma Hurworth, Katie Barker, Shannon Leigh, Jo Barker, Lena Mannon, Sophie Wilson, Stacey Hooper, Rosie Davison.

FOXHOLE STARS 0-2 MOUSEHOLE RESERVES

CORNWALL JUNIOR CUP FINAL

SUNDAY 5th MAY 2019

AT TREVASSACK PARK, HAYLE AFC

Mousehole had never previously reached the semi-finals of the County Junior Cup, let alone the Final, but on Sunday, in great weather and in front of a good crowd of 417, they became the best team out of the 104 entering this season’s competition by lifting the trophy at the expense of Foxhole Stars.

The form book favoured Foxhole – leaders of the Duchy League Premier Division with only one League defeat in 20 League games – against a Mousehole Reserves side in a mid-table position in the equivalent Trelawny League Premier Division.

The pattern of the game bore an uncanny resemblance to the semi-final tie, with Mousehole getting to the interval at 0-0 despite being under severe pressure, and then asserting their authority in the second half to score the necessary goals for a deserved win.

And, just as in the semi-final, the same players – Caleb Marsden and Michael Fitchett – got on the scoresheet when it mattered, followed by a magnificent team display of character and resilience as The Seagulls resisted everything The Foxes could throw at them.

Mousehole’s Dom Angove was by far the busier of the two keepers in the first half, pulling off four goal-saving efforts in the first quarter hour, with Foxhole also hitting the woodwork on two occasions and having goalbound shots blocked in front of goal as they powered their way forward at every opportunity, while at the other end The Seagulls were unable to create any chances of note.

But the game changed dramatically, in more ways than one, just five minutes after half time when Caleb Marsden exploited some space 30 yards out to drive a superb inch-perfect shot into the top left-hand corner of keeper Matt Bullen’s net to give Mousehole the lead.

Foxhole’s celebrations were cut short a minute later as they had the ball in the net but only after a dangerous lunge on Angove spotted by Referee Jon Green.

And a completely different sort of goal put Mousehole 2-0 up in the 58th minute as Michael Fitchett sneaked in front of his marker in the middle of the box to chest down Joe Davies’ forward pass and screw the ball from an angle past Bullen into the far corner via the post.

Foxhole tried to up the tempo but every Mousehole player from front to back played their part in keeping them at bay, forcing their frustrated opponents into pumping hopeful long balls upfield, where The Seagulls’ well-marshalled defence stood their ground in the face of a late onslaught.

At the start of the after-match presentations, Mousehole Reserves’ centre-back Benji Ward received Cornwall FA’s “Man of the Match” Award.

Mousehole Reserves have won two important trophies in the last 12 months – as Trelawny League Division One champions, and with it promotion to the Premier Division this season, and now the Cornwall Junior Cup competed for by “Junior” men’s clubs at Step 9 and below.

And another milestone is ahead.  Having applied for promotion to both the Cornwall Combination League (Step 8) and the new St Pirans League (Step 7), they will be playing “Senior Football” for the first time in the club’s history.

Mousehole Reserves: Dom Angove, Matt Howes (captain), Harry Tonkin, Benji Ward, Tom Hands, Jason Simmonds, Callum George, Caleb Marsden, Jamie Simons, Michael Fitchett, Joe Davies

Substitutes: Jacob Trudgeon (for Jamie Simons, 86), Tom McGarry (for Callum George,90+2), Ben Fewkes, Alex Nixon, Tom Hooper

Scorers: Caleb Marsden (51), Michael Fitchett (58).

Referee: Jon Green     Attendance: 417

MOUSEHOLE 6-0 PORTHLEVEN

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

WEDNESDAY 1^st MAY 2019

AT TRUNGLE PARC

SEAGULLS FINISH THE SEASON WITH STYLISH PERFORMANCE AND IMPRESSIVE STATISTICS

Mousehole’s memorable 2018/19 campaign ended with a superlative exhibition of football on a beautiful sunny evening against Porthleven.

The Seagulls – already confirmed as League runners-up – were up against the third-placed Fishermen, who had won the floodlit encounter 3-2 at Gala Parc in early September, so a tight return contest might have been expected.

But the hosts banished those thoughts as they went about their business with a brisk sense of purpose, scoring two goals at the start and going 6-0 ahead just after the hour.  Lez Cela, Gerens James and Kieron Toland scored two goals each, but as in recent months this was an accomplished whole-team effort.  Nevertheless, the season’s stats highlight two individuals’ performances – captain Billy Curtis who has played every minute of every match, and Gerens James who took his overall tally to 42 goals.

The result means that Kevin Nicholson’s side finished the League season with an excellent 13 wins in a row, an amazing record since 1^st January of 64 goals scored and only 5 conceded, just one League defeat since the ex-Torquay United man took over as player-manager in October, and overall the highest number of goals scored (106) and the meanest defence (21) in the Division.

Lez Cela opened the scoring after 5 minutes, taking a clever pass by Kieron Toland and firing in a shot only half-stopped by keeper Ethan Fern.  Amara Bakayoko was then denied by a great save by Fern after 8 minutes, and Josh Sims made a brilliant goal-line clearance from a lob by Toland.  But a second goal always looked likely and it was Gerens James who slotted home in the 12^th minute when Hamza Kaid and Toland teed up the chance with skilful work on the left.

Kevin Nicholson’s 20 yard free kick was pushed out at the far post by Fern on 14 minutes, and two minutes later centre back Jerry Gyebi’s nimble footwork created enough space 15 yards out to curl a shot just wide.  Porthleven were looking to play on the break but their passing was too hurried.  They paid the penalty on 23 minutes after losing possession high up the field, leaving Hamza Kaid to release Toland with a quick accurate long pass into space, and the energetic Scot took the ball 50 yards out, shrugged off the covering defender and drove into the far corner to end a deadly counter-attack.

A minute later Toland’s deflected close range shot hit the crossbar and Fern was soon in action again with diving saves from Kaid, Bakayoko and Cela, before Gerens James made it 4-0 in the 36^th minute, Nicholson and Cela carving out the chance on the left for a sidefoot finish.  The Seagulls’ striker was then denied a first half hat-trick as the busy Fern pushed his effort against the post just before the interval.

After James had headed over a clear chance from Bakayoko’s cross on 50, Porthleven put the home defence under a brief period of pressure, with danger-man Tornado Bello forcing Jason Robertson into an important save.  But Mousehole then scored another two goals in three minutes to confirm their overall superiority.  Lez Cela brought the ball in from the left against a retreating defence to rifle in an angled low shot from 8 yards in the 59^th minute, and Kieron Toland stole the ball on the right hand side of The Fishermen’s penalty area to drive home for 6-0.

Gerens James was close to his sixth hat-trick of the season from Kaid’s low cross after 75 minutes, but Porthleven were involved in an interesting last five minutes at the other end, Robertson saving from Bello again, Rob Carey putting an unopposed chance over the bar from six yards, and Bello hitting the post with his penalty kick after being tripped on another incisive run.  And to complete Porthleven’s frustrating evening, Rob Carey was sent off for a second yellow card for dissent a short time before the final whistle.

After the final whistle, Mike Pett, vice chairman of the League Board, presented the Mousehole players with the runners-up trophy and individual medals.  Phil Hiscox, League Secretary, commended the club on its continuous improvement off the field brought about by the work of the many volunteers behind the scenes, and the players in particular on an “phenomenal” second half of the season.  He went on to wish both Mousehole and visitors Porthleven, who had sportingly stayed on the field during the presentation, the best of fortunes in the new Step 6 League next season.

Mousehole:  Jason Robertson, Billy Curtis (captain), Jerry Gyebi, Ben Williams, Kevin Nicholson, Kieron Toland, Lez Cela, Steve Burt, Amara Bakayoko, Gerens James, Hamza Kaid

Substitutes: Paulo Sousa (for Jerry Gyebi, 71), Luke Hunter (for Steve Burt, 77), Sam Shulberg (for Kevin Nicholson), Callum George, Tom Hands

Scorers:  Lez Cela (5, 59), Gerens James (12, 36), Kieron Toland (23, 62)

Referee: Matthew Carney     Attendance: 113

 

• After the match Kevin Nicholson paid tribute to his players and the committee and supporters, and stated his aim that next season would be even better.
• Next season Mousehole will be promoted to Step 6 in the newly-structured 20-team Peninsula Premier League West.  They will then be competing with 11 already established Cornish teams from this year’s Premier Division – Bodmin Town, Callington Town, Camelford, Falmouth Town, Godolphin Atlantic, Helston Athletic, Launceston, Newquay, Saltash United, St Austell and Sticker – together with 9 fellow Division 1 West promoted teams Liskeard Athletic, Porthleven, Wadebridge Town, St Dennis, Penzance, Wendron United, Dobwalls and St Blazey.
• Mousehole’s floodlights installation, in preparation for playing at the higher level, is scheduled to start in the summer and be ready for the start of the new  season.
• Mousehole’s average attendance for League matches this season was 115, the first time it has topped the 100 mark in the 12 years of the South West Peninsula League.  Including Cup matches, The Seagulls attracted seven 100+ crowds.
• In the three Cup competitions, Mousehole beat four Premier Division sides – Newquay and Sticker away, Millbrook and Plymouth Argyle Reserves at home.
• Looking back, September was Mousehole’s least productive month in the League, winning only one match out of five (at Bere Alston United), drawing two (at home against St Dennis and away at Wadebridge) and losing two (to Porthleven away and St Blazey at home), resulting in 10 points dropped.
• In their 28 League matches, The Seagulls scored five or more goals on 11 occasions, including in four away games, and kept a ‘clean sheet’ 12 times.

ST DENNIS 1-9 MOUSEHOLE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

SATURDAY 27th APRIL 2019

AT BOSCAWEN PARK

Far from being one of those uncompetitive, meaningless end-of-season fixtures, this was an occasion in which Mousehole used their last away game to showcase with devastating effect the quality of their passing and firepower against a Saints side starting with the incentive to win for a fourth place finish.

This was the tenth match of the campaign – more than a third of their League games – in which The Seagulls have scored five or more goals, and on this occasion there were seven different scorers and a number of notable ‘firsts’, with winger Amara Bakayoko notching a hat-trick and captain Billy Curtis, player-manager Kevin Nicholson and substitute Sam Shulberg each getting off the mark for the season.

On a bright but windy afternoon, Mousehole had already signalled their attacking intentions before Hamza Kaid looped a header inside the far post in the 9th minute.  Amara Bakayoko added a second goal on 12 minutes, getting a close-range touch after Kieron Toland’s fine 15 yard shot had hit the post.

As the one-way traffic continued, Kevin Nicholson struck a sweet left-footed free kick from 20 yards high into the far corner for 3-0.  And two minutes before the interval Bakayoko raced forward from the halfway line to shoot low into the net for a fourth goal.  In between the goals, Gerens James came close on several occasions, Toland drove just wide from the edge of the box, and Bakayoko had a cross-shot cleared off the line.

St Dennis’ first serious attack came on 39 minutes when a goalbound shot was unintentionally blocked by a home player, and immediately before half time a free kick delivered towards a crowded six-yard box skidded off the top of a defender’s head for an own goal to give the hosts a glimmer of hope at 4-1.

With the wind in their favour, The Saints created a couple of half-chances in their best period of the match in the first ten minutes of the second half.  But at the other end, goalkeeper Ryan Holland was still kept busy, foiling Kaid, Bakayoko, and Lez Cela in quick succession, and shortly after Kaid had missed the target with a clear sight of goal, Gerens James at last got on the scoresheet to make it    5-1 after 68 minutes, converting into the roof of the net from a few yards out after Toland twice had shots blocked.

Bakayoko made it 6-1 with a hat-trick goal on 72, arrowing a trademark left-footed low shot in from 15 yards after St Dennis’ defence had been pulled apart by swift passing across the pitch.  Two minutes later Mousehole’s supporters were celebrating a rare goal by popular captain Billy Curtis – who has played every minute of every match this season – as he clipped a left-footed shot into the net from just inside the area after Bakayoko’s drive rebounded off the post.

Mousehole were now creating chances galore, with a double-digit scoreline looking possible, but, much to the relief of the hosts, just two more goals were to come.  Substitute Sam Shulberg was in the right place to tap over the line after the overworked Holland had saved James’ shot with his feet after 86 minutes, and in the next attack Lez Cela scored his side’s 100th League goal of the season with a carefully placed sidefoot inside the post after yet another assist by Bakayoko.

Already confirmed as runners-up, Mousehole’s demolition of St Dennis was their 12th League win in a row since the beginning of January, with 58 goals scored and only 5 conceded.  As the highest scorers in the Division with the meanest defence, and so far with just three defeats, The Seagulls’ overall record would in most seasons have been enough to win the League – but for Liskeard Athletic’s impressive title-winning campaign during which they have lost only once.

Mousehole have one remaining fixture, this Wednesday (1st May, 6.45 kick off) at Trungle Parc against local rivals Porthleven, who have confirmed a third place finish, but were somewhat fortunate to inflict The Seagulls’ first defeat of the season, 3-2 at Gala Parc in early September.

Mousehole: Jason Robertson, Billy Curtis (captain), Jerry Gyebi, Ben Williams, Kevin Nicholson, Lez Cela, Kieron Toland, Hamza Kaid, Amin Ahmed, Gerens James, Amara Bakayoko

Substitutes: Sam Shulberg (for Amin Ahmed, 73), Paulo Sousa

Scorers: Amara Bakayoko (12, 44, 72), Hamza Kaid (9), Kevin Nicholson (23), Gerens James (68), Billy Curtis (74), Sam Shulberg (86), Lez Cela (88)

Referee: Luke Wilkes.

MOUSEHOLE 4-0 PENZANCE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

GOOD FRIDAY 19^TH APRIL 2019

AT TRUNGLE PARC

 In front of their biggest crowd of the season, Mousehole dominated the sun-filled Good Friday ‘local derby’ from start to finish to gain revenge for their two away defeats in the Charity Cup and League at the hands of Penzance in December.

For the hosts – already guaranteed at least the runners-up spot in this season’s West Division – this was their 11th League win in a row, dating back to the beginning of the year, during which they have scored 49 goals while conceding just four.

By contrast, Penzance have had mixed fortunes in the second half of the season, winning only three times during this period, including 14 goals conceded in their last three games without scoring any.

The match went largely in line with the form book, with nothing to suggest a local derby upset.  Penzance’s defensive game plan, set up to stifle Mousehole’s attacking instincts, worked well in the first half with a 0-0 interval scoreline, but there was no stopping the Seagulls after the break as they notched up four goals and could have had several more.

Mikey Flores in the Magpies goal was the visitors’ hero on numerous occasions, but his credentials as a ‘man of the match’ contender were abruptly ruined just three minutes from the end when he persisted in arguing with referee Nigel D’Arcy and inevitably picked up a second yellow card following an identical earlier offence.

And to compound Penzance’s thoroughly frustrating afternoon, left back Gary Matthews earned a straight red card two minutes later after inexplicably head-butting Amin Ahmed in the chest as the darting substitute winger came on to create more problems on the right-hand side.

Mousehole started the match with patient controlled football, Flores superbly tipping Gerens James’ header on to the crossbar after 7 minutes and his co-defenders blocking a succession of shots and crosses in determined fashion with ex-Seagull Frazer Cadman putting in a great shift in an attempt to stem the tide.  Penzance’s first serious venture over the halfway line came in the final minute of the half, Adam Williams and Kayne Trevaskis both missing the target from distance.

Having held out successfully for the first 45 minutes, Penzance would have been planning to steal a goal on the break after the interval, but Gerens James scuppered that idea five minutes in, back-heeling the loose ball over the line from six yards after Flores had blocked Hamza Kaid’s shot following a twisting run from the left.

The goal led to Mousehole raising the tempo, winning the ball back quickly as Penzance tried in vain to get forward, and spreading passes all over the pitch.  More goals looked likely, and in a scintillating nine minutes they added another three.

Flores came out to save from Amara Bakayoko in a one-on-one challenge on 68 minutes, and injured himself in the process.  But Bakayoko was the provider for the second goal on 77,  his short low cross from the byeline prodded home from close range by Hamza Kaid.

The defiant Magpies keeper then made two excellent saves in the 78^th and 82^nd minutes, firstly from Kaid and then a deflected Kieron Toland shot, but Toland had the last word from the ensuing corner as he swivelled on the ball at the far post to volley into the far corner for 3-0.

Amara Bakayoko completed the scoring in the 86^th minute driving in an unstoppable shot from 15 yards that cannoned into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

From that moment, Penzance might have sought to see the game out without further incident, but finishing the game with nine men gave Mousehole more opportunities, with outfield player Dan Lord donning the goalkeeper’s gloves and making a couple of important saves to keep the score down.

Both sides will be meeting again next season in the newly formed Step 6 Peninsula League West, with Mousehole having the ambition to progress further and Penzance needing to re-build to do themselves justice at the higher level.

With two games remaining, Mousehole’s result keeps their title hopes mathematically alive, but leaders Liskeard Athletic need just one point from their last two fixtures to become champions – away at local rivals Dobwalls on Wednesday evening and away again on Saturday at sixth place Wendron United.

Mousehole have a short away trip on Saturday (3pm) to St Dennis, who will be looking for a win to finish fourth.  They then finish the season at home against Porthleven, already confirmed in third place, on Wednesday week (1^st May, 6.45pm kick off), with a big crowd expected to celebrate an exciting season of entertaining football.

Meanwhile, Penzance play their last game of the season on Saturday at Bere Alston United, who are second-bottom in their first season after promotion.  This will be a re-run of the match abandoned at half time earlier in the season after a downpour had left the pitch saturated.  A win for the Magpies would move them up a place above St Blazey to 10^th.

Mousehole: Jason Robertson, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Ben Williams, Paulo Sousa, Steve Burt, Kieron Toland, Lez Cela, Amara Bakayoko, Gerens James, Hamza Kaid

Substitutes: Callum George (for Lez Cela 79), Jerry Gyebi (for Ben Williams 87), Amin Ahmed (for Amara Bakayoko 87), Craig Wilcox, Tom Hands

Penzance:  Mikey Flores, Reece Evans, Gary Matthews, Kevin Lawrence, Scott Grant, Gary Bell, Adam Williams, Frazer Cadman, Kayne Trevaskis, Dave Mitchell, Mawgan Kewn

Substitutes: Lewis Caspell (for Dave Mitchell 46), Dan Lord (for Adam Williams 59), Justin Searle, Justin Miles,  Lee Denton

Scorers: Gerens James 51, Hamza Kaid 77, Kieron Toland 83, Amara Bakayoko 86

Referee: Nigel D’Arcy

Attendance: 238

 

 

HOLSWORTHY 2-3 MOUSEHOLE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

SATURDAY 13^th APRIL 2019

AT UPCOTT FIELD

The Seagulls had to show extreme levels of hard work and perseverance to maintain their 100% winning run since the start of the year, coming twice from behind to finally claim the all-important three points with a goal well into added-on time.

Mid-table hosts Holsworthy had suffered a major 6-0 defeat at Trungle Parc a few weeks ago, but were clearly in the mood to avoid that result with a spirited performance, with the hard bumpy pitch and strong cross-wind working to their advantage.

Mousehole’s last venture of the season into Devon started brightly enough, with two corners in the first minute and a Kieron Toland header cleared away from close in.  But they fell behind in the 12^th minute when an unnecessarily conceded free kick was driven into a crowded six yard box to find its way over the line after a deflected shot by Lee Gardiner.

The Seagulls equalised straight from the re-start, top marksman Gerens James turning in Tyler Tonkin’s well-judged pull back after a surging run down the right.

Jason Robertson in the Mousehole goal had to pull off a diving save from a long-range shot on 20 minutes, but all the remaining goalmouth action of the half was at the other end.  Toland had a shot superbly saved by young keeper Ryan Chadwick on 22 minutes, another attempt blocked shortly afterwards, and a header hacked off the line from the resulting corner, while Gerens James was twice denied in quick succession by the alert and brave keeper.

In the second half, The Magpies regained the lead in unexpected fashion in the 54^th minute when Joe Barker met a wind-assisted corner with an unchallenged header from eight yards out.  A scrappy period of play by both sides followed, but Robertson had to make a vital save to prevent the hosts going further ahead on the hour as he smothered a low cross in front of Barker.

Gradually, Mousehole began to assert themselves and their control of the play in midfield produced a series of chances, as Chadwick kept out Toland’s close range effort from Amara Bakayoko’s dangerous low near post cross, Ben Williams had a header from a corner cleared off the line, Toland was again frustrated as his shot hit Chadwick and the post, and Tyler Tonkin’s fierce drive from 25 yards was tipped over by the impressive keeper.

But the inevitable-looking equaliser arrived in the 70^th minute, centre-back Ben Williams at point-blank range tapping in a whipped-in Lez Cela corner, Mousehole’s 100^th goal in all competitions this season.

The Seagulls upped the tempo in search of a late winner, with Holsworthy pegged back but defending with determination, captain Carlo Chandler proving a stubborn obstacle and keeper Chadwick pulling off yet more outstanding saves from another Tonkin 25-yard drive and shots by Bakayoko, Kaid and Cela.

Mousehole wasted a couple of good chances with hurried finishing as the clock ticked towards the 90-minute mark, but then player-manager Kevin Nicholson, whose swirling free kick had just been kept out by Chadwick with his feet at the far post, sent over a beautifully flighted corner from the left for Gerens James to chest down and shoot home via the underside of the crossbar two minutes into added-on time.

The hard-earned three point haul guarantees Mousehole at least the runners-up place in this season’s West Division, but they still have their sights set on the top spot, with leaders Liskeard Athletic six points ahead and three games remaining for each side.

Liskeard have a home and away ‘derby double’ against Dobwalls on Good Friday and next Wednesday, and a last match on Saturday 27^th at much-improved Wendron United.  Four points from these games however will see them clinch the title race.

Mousehole will know they cannot afford to drop points and will have to be at their best against Penzance at home on Good Friday (12noon kick off), away at St Dennis on Saturday 27^th, and – with Liskeard having already completed their programme – a final game at home against Porthleven on Wednesday 1^st May (6.45pm).

Regardless of the outcome, this has been a progressive season for Mousehole, and with floodlights and other ground improvements imminent they are well placed to move upwards to the new Step 6 West League next season, looking to continue their development both on and off the field.

Mousehole v Holsworthy:  Jason Robertson, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Ben Williams, Paulo Sousa, Steve Burt, Lez Cela, Kieron Toland, Amara Bakayoko, Gerens James, Hamza Kaid

Substitutes:  Amin Ahmed (for Kieron Toland, 71), Kevin Nicholson (for Steve Burt, 71), Tom Hands, Callum George, Sam Shulberg

Scorers:  Gerens James (13, 90+2), Ben Williams (70)

Referee: Krzysztof Wegrzynowski

MOUSEHOLE 6-0 PLYMOUTH MARJON

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

SATURDAY 6th APRIL 2019

AT TRUNGLE PARC 

ANOTHER SIX GOAL WIN KEEPS MOUSEHOLE IN CONTENTION AT TOP OF LEAGUE

On a remarkable day at Trungle Parc, Mousehole’s Billy Jacka was presented by Cornwall FA with the “County Winner – Groundsman of the Year 2019” award, while on a superbly prepared pitch The Seagulls recorded their third 6-0 score in the last four matches.

Mousehole’s win consolidates their second place in the League and keeps the pressure on leaders Liskeard Athletic.

With both teams having four fixtures left, Liskeard are six points ahead, with a pair of local derby games against Dobwalls together with away games at St Dennis this Saturday and lastly Wendron United to come.

The Seagulls’ schedule is no less tricky, with away games at Holsworthy and St Dennis, coupled with the Good Friday encounter with Penzance at Trungle Parc and a mid-week season-ending home match against third-place Porthleven.

Since the battling 1-1 draw at Plymstock United at the end of December, Mousehole have earned nine straight League wins, scoring 42 goals while conceding two, and the 30 points – including the ‘home walkover’ against Ludgvan – has seen them jump forward from 7th.  And importantly their goal difference is already six better than Liskeard’s despite the latter having the advantage of having played Ludgvan and scored 20 goals earlier.

Saturday’s visitors Plymouth Marjon were under intense pressure from the start, The Seagulls high-tempo play – matching the bright and breezy weather – led to a two goal lead after 11 minutes.  Gerens James had already sent a header wide from Amara Bakayoko’s cross after just 18 seconds, with Hamza Kaid coming close after young Gabe Smietanka in Marjon’s goal had spilled a James cross in the 3rd minute.  But two minutes later Kieron Toland powered to the bye-line and his cross looped high into the far corner via a deflection by centre back Sam Bruty.

Lez Cela’s angled drive was blocked by the keeper on 7 minutes and Kaid fired over on 9, before superb passing and movement on the left enabled Gerens James to shift the ball sideways into a central position and send a crisp right-foot shot from 18 yards low into the far corner for 2-0.

The action continued with Toland wide from 20 yards and Kaid picking up the latter’s excellent long ball to skip inside the full-back and see his shot pushed out for a corner by  Smietanka.  Ben Williams headed the flag kick over and Bakayoko’s goalbound shot hit a defender, with James heading the corner wide from close-in, as Marjon were overwhelmed in the first 20 minutes.

Dom Angove, standing in for the unavailable Jason Robertson, had a rare piece of work to do on an otherwise quiet afternoon when he clutched a threatening Marjon free kick on 21 minutes, but his counterpart at the other end was completely beaten as Gerens James’ left foot volley from Hamza Kaid’s cross smacked against the crossbar on 26.

The expected third goal arrived in the 36th minute, great work by Tyler Tonkin and Kieron Toland on the right setting up Bakayoko to race to the byeline and send a superb cross into the middle where Hamza Kaid pumped an unstoppable header into the net.

Before the interval Smietanka made a brave block from a fierce angled drive by Kaid, and Gerens James’ headers missed the target from two corners, with the whistle for the end of a one-sided half coming as a relief for the beleaguered visitors.

Marjon managed to weather the storm for the first 25 minutes of the second period, keeping out a close succession of good attempts by Kieron Toland, Ben Williams, Hamza Kaid and Amara Bakayoko, before a Kaid/Bakayoko combination on the right carved out the chance for Gerens James to side-foot in from 8 yards on 73.

There was no respite for the visitors as Mousehole brought on all three substitutes – including Amin Ahmed returning from the Ethiopia U23s’ preparations for next year’s Olympics – while Gerens James was nearly in on yet another hat-trick as he charged down Smietanka’s clearance.

But another two goals brought a much fairer reflection of the overall balance of play, and took Mousehole’s aggregate win to 11-1 in their head-to-heads over Marjon this season.  Firstly, Hamza Kaid hammered the ball into the roof of the net from 18 yards in the 86th minute after some defence-splitting play, and in the fourth minute of added-on time substitute Callum George took a sharp one-two on the edge of the box to stride through and coolly squeeze the ball inside the near post.

Mousehole: Dom Angove, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Ben Williams, Paulo Sousa, Lez Cela, Kieron Toland, Steve Burt, Amara Bakayoko, Gerens James, Hamza Kaid

Substitutes: Callum George (for Steve Burt, 58), Tom Hands (for Kieron Toland, 76), Amin Ahmed (for Lez Cela, 76), Dan Osomebi, Kevin Nicholson

Scorers: Own Goal (Sam Bruty, 5), Gerens James (11), Hamza Kaid (36), Gerens James 73), Hamza Kaid (86), Callum George (90+4)

Referee: Rowan Clarke   Attendance:123

*The Seagulls travel into Devon to face Holsworthy this Saturday (13th) and will need to be wary of a reaction by The Magpies after their 6-0 mauling at Trungle Parc a few weeks ago.

MOUSEHOLE 2-0 WENDRON UNITED

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

SATURDAY 30th MARCH 2019

AT TRUNGLE PARC

SEAGULLS SPRING FORWARD TO SECOND PLACE AFTER EIGHTH STRAIGHT WIN

In a competitive and entertaining game played in a great spirit, Mousehole had to put in a hard-working and patient performance, with two second half goals proving enough to overcome an improving Wendron United side who in sixth place are enjoying their best season since joining the South West Peninsula League in 2015.

For The Seagulls, this latest result – their eighth consecutive league win since the beginning of January, with 36 goals scored and only two conceded – saw Kevin Nicholson’s side leapfrog one-time league leaders Porthleven into second place, six points behind leaders Liskeard Athletic with both teams having five fixtures remaining.

There was plenty of goalmouth action right from the start.  Within the first 20 minutes, Gerens James had a header saved, scuffed a shot off target and prodded a near-post cross wide.  In between, Seagulls’ keeper Jason Robertson made a vital save, as in previous matches, keeping out a Wendron free kick aimed at the top corner, while a last-ditch tackle on the edge of the six yard box snuffed out a promising opening for the visitors, and TJ Walter shot weakly when put through the home defence.  Kieron Toland came within inches of a Mousehole goal with a left foot 18-yarder rebounding off the post and then sent a drive over the crossbar from further out.

Mousehole then gradually got on top, James heading Paulo Sousa’s cross too high and side-footing Tyler Tonkin’s bobbling low cross over, while Toland just failed to get the right touch when put through by the ever dangerous Amara Bakayoko.  The pressure continued up to the interval, with keeper Dan Stedman collecting the ball bravely on two occasions from Toland’s and then Bakayoko’s low crosses in front of goal. On 45+1, Lez Cela advanced from a deep position and brushed the side netting with a curling 20-yard shot, bringing to an end a rare goal-less but still interesting first half.

The second period started in similar fashion, Bakayoko’s low cross being cleared in front of goal.  But at the other end there were moments of drama as Will Paul took a through ball past keeper Robertson on 52 minutes only for last-man Billy Curtis to rescue an open-goal situation with a timely interception, and shortly afterwards Jack Stocker was denied by the shot-stopping keeper.

Back came Mousehole, as Tonkin’s dipping cross-cum-shot was kept out by Stedman’s feet, Toland’s fierce drive hit a defender and Hamza Kaid’s angled shot was deflected for a corner.  But on 68 minutes, The Dron’s well organised rearguard was at last breached, Sousa’s low cross along the edge of the six yard box converted by Bakayoko with a sharp drive into the corner.

The visitors had just one more chance from a wind-assisted swerving corner which was brilliantly headed out close to the line by Ben Williams after 71 minutes, but from then on Mousehole were in control, Bakayoko and substitute Dan Osomebi firing over when well placed, before Gerens James deservedly got on the scoresheet in the 77th minute, knocking the ball past Stedman and in off the underside of the bar from eight yards out after some crisp short passing on the edge of the box and Cela’s crafty reverse ball.  Bakayoko then blasted in a shot which was saved by Stedman at the second attempt, and just before the full time whistle James headed in from a close range but offside position.

Mousehole are at home again at Trungle Parc this Saturday (6th April) against Plymouth Marjon, with free entry offered to all comers.

The Seagulls will be looking to complete a quick ‘double’ over their mid-table opponents, having won 5-1 on the Derriford Campus synthetic pitch six weeks ago in a match notable not just for the scoreline but also for the large number of yellow cards issued to the hosts for dissent.

On the same day, Liskeard will be at home to Holsworthy, whose 1-0 away success last week condemned Porthleven to just one win in the last five.

Mousehole: Jason Robertson, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Ben Williams, Paulo Sousa, Steve Burt, Kieron Toland, Lez Cela, Hamza Kaid, Gerens James, Amara Bakayoko

Substitutes: Dan Osomebi (for Kieron Toland, 69), Jerry Gyebi (for Tyler Tonkin, 69), Callum George (for Hamza Kaid, 81),  Kevin Nicholson, Sam Shulberg

Scorers: Amara Bakayoko (68), Gerens James (77)

Referee: Marc Rose.     Attendance: 72