The Endorsed Academy (partners to Mousehole AFC) have reached out to help support nearby Ludgvan FC.

The fellow South West Peninsula West Division club, who came a fantastic runners-up in the League last May in their first season after promotion from the Cornwall Combination League.

To help Ludgvan re-group, Endorsed Academy are providing Ludgvan with the services of a UEFA qualified coach Matt James and are committed to sharing coaching resources and playing philosophy.

The jointly-agreed strategy is for The Hurlers to build a new team of young talented players, attracting those from other Leagues capable of developing their potential at SWPL standards from the Endorsed Academy coaching methods, whilst helping the club to successfully progress.

Ludgvan FC Chairman Nigel Pryor explained: “We are really pleased to welcome both Matt and Dennis and excited of the prospect of attracting young local talent and help them to develop and progress.  The feedback from players on Matts training sessions has been absolutely excellent.  Both myself and Sue our very hard working Secretary are delighted with everything thats going on.

There’s a lot of hard work ahead at Ludgvan, all players will be made very welcome whilst we look to secure our place in senior football. Those interested in the excellent coaching please get in touch as soon as possible.

Contact Details
Sue Ludgvan Secretary
07919263278

STICKER 0-4 MOUSEHOLE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE CUP, sponsored by Walter C Parson Funeral Directors

SECOND ROUND TIE

FRIDAY 19th OCTOBER 2018, AT BURNGULLOW PARK

Watched from the bench by player/manager Kevin Nicholson in his first game in charge, The Seagulls put in an assured display to out-class their higher-Division opponents with a four goal haul that scarcely did justice to their superiority.

Mousehole had already beaten two Premier Division sides within the last month – Newquay away 2-0 in the same competition and Millbrook 3-2 at home in the Cornwall Senior Cup – to add to their impressive Cup record in recent times. And this victory was by far the most convincing, albeit against a Sticker side struggling with life in their second season at the higher level after player departures, injuries and suspensions.

On a beautiful floodlit evening and in front of a sizeable Mousehole contingent, the visitors survived a couple of minor scares before fashioning early chances of their own, County Youth goalkeeper Ethan Elwell pushing out a Steven Ziboth 20-yard central free kick, Adel Gafaiti volleying a loose ball just wide after a corner, and Calum Elliot hitting the outside of the woodwork from the left.

The expected opening goal arrived on 19 minutes when Elliot, playing his last-but-one game before returning to his native Edinburgh, was chopped down after a smart turn in the area, and centre-back Gafaiti comfortably steered home the undisputed penalty kick.

A critical moment occurred five minutes later when Mousehole’s young keeper Dom Angove was at his shot-stopping best to beat out a close range drive when a Sticker equaliser looked inevitable, and five minutes later the home side slid a shot just wide of the far post.

But that was the last seen of the Sticker attack until the closing stages of the match as The Seagulls’ midfield mopped up everything in front of the back line and kept the momentum in their favour with composed passing and probing forward passes.

Steven Ziboth had already made one of his characteristic runs from deep only to be foiled in a one-on-one by keeper Elwell’s block, but he made no mistake on 40 minutes, released by Elliot’s inch-perfect through ball inside the full back to slot left-footed inside the far post from 15 yards for a 2-0 lead, fully deserved on the balance of play.

The anticipated Sticker comeback in the second half failed to materialise as Mousehole completely dominated the opening quarter-hour, Steven Ziboth (twice), Lorenzo Qerimi and Tom Hands all coming very close to increasing the lead. Gerens James netted two marginally offside ”goals” but was not to be denied in the 64th minute with a near-post header from Ziboth’s right-sided corner for a more realistic-looking 3-0 score line.

Sticker were finding it difficult to get out of their own half but conceded a self-inflicted fourth goal on 75 minutes when Craig Wilcox, a Seagull substitute for only five minutes, was alert to a fumble by Elwell and seized on the loose ball to place an instant left-footed shot into the far corner.

With their young substitutes on the field, the home side at last put some positive moves together to mount a handful of serious threats in the last ten minutes, but the Mousehole defence reacted with composure and determination to preserve a clean sheet.

The reward for knocking out two higher-level sides on their own turf is a home tie against another Premier Division team, Plymouth Argyle, who as current leaders of the table are the top-ranked club in the competition.  The match, scheduled for Saturday 17th November (2pm), is sure to attract added interest, with Mousehole’s philosophy tested against Argyle’s talented full-time development squad playing attractive football and occasionally supplemented by players from the club’s League One first team group.

The Argyle game will come a week after the Cornwall Senior Cup second round tie at Trungle Parc against Helston Athletic on 10th November (2pm), meaning that by mid-November Mousehole will already have faced five of the 20 Premier Division teams in this season’s Cup competitions.

Before then, The Seagulls travel to two away games in the League, firstly this Saturday (27th) at Dobwalls (3pm), followed by the local derby at Ludgvan on Saturday 3rd November (kick off 2:15pm).

Mousehole: Dom Angove, Billy Curtis (captain), Ryan Andrew, Adel Gafaiti, Tom Hands, Lorenzo Qerimi, Luke Hunter, Hamza Kaid, Gerens James, Steven Ziboth, Calum Elliot

Substitutes: Craig Wilcox (for Hamza Kaid, 69), Sam Shulberg (for Steven Ziboth, 77), Kevin Nicholson, Hermann Niamke

Scorers: Adel Gafaiti (pen) 19, Steven Ziboth 40, Gerens James 64, Craig Wilcox 75

Referee: Richard Butters

 

*****

In a major coup for Mousehole AFC, former Torquay United player and manager Kevin Nicholson has agreed to join the club as First Team player/manager and Director of Endorsed Academy.

He will replace current player/manager Calum Elliot who will continue as a player until the end of October before he needs to return with his family to his native Edinburgh. The club wanted to put on record their thanks for Calum’s hard work and his ongoing support in this transitional process.

The 37-year old Nicholson came out ahead of some tough competition to land the role.  As well as possessing an impressive CV as player, UEFA ‘A’ qualified coach and manager, he conducted two high-quality and well-received training sessions with the Mousehole squad, excelled in a series of thorough interviews, and set out his plans and long-term vision for the development of the club and Academy.

Nicholson made over 500 appearances in the Football League and top-flight of non-league, as well as winning a Wembley play-off Final, being named in the PFA ‘Team of the Year’ and representing England ‘C’.  But he is best known in the south-west for his 300+ games as a left-sided defender for Torquay United, where he is regarded as a club ‘legend’.  He was asked to take over as Torquay manager during a period of severe financial constraint at Plainmoor, and saved The Gulls from near-certain relegation at the end of his first season, an episode recorded as the ‘Great Escape’ by the Torquay faithful.

Adam Fletcher, Head of  Football Operations at Mousehole, said  “Kevin Nicholson is an outstanding appointment: he brings a wealth of experience and ambition, coupled with a winning mentality, and his great energy, leadership and management skills will be felt throughout the club and Endorsed Academy.  At the same time there’s no doubt Kevin’s decision to join us reinforces our growing reputation as a progressive club who do not intend to stand still. ”

Speaking of his new role, Nicholson explained: “I am incredibly enthusiastic about the potential at Mousehole.  I was taken aback by the club’s footballing philosophy, coaching set-up, use of technology, committee support, infrastructure, fantastic Academy and forward-thinking ambition. I’m incredibly excited to take it all to the next level.  I’m also buzzing to be back playing!”

The Seagulls have already made public their aim to make sustainable progress by adopting top-class coaching and promoting youth development.  The First team will be applying for promotion this year and the club has the planning permission and grant finance in place to develop their Trungle Parc HQ to meet the requirements of the higher League.

Mousehole currently lie in sixth place in the South West Peninsula League West Division, but Kevin Nicholson’s first sight of the team in competitive action will be in a League Cup tie on Friday evening (19th) at Premier Division Sticker.

#FlyingAllTogether

 

MOUSEHOLE 3-2 MILLBROOK

CORNWALL SENIOR CUP, FIRST ROUND

SATURDAY 6th OCTOBER 2018, AT TRUNGLE PARC

Mousehole produced another Cup shock and grabbed the weekend headlines with their second victory over a higher-league opponent in the space of a fortnight.  This time it was a narrow but deserved win over visitors Millbrook in an entertaining and at times dramatic encounter.

The Seagulls were looking to make a successful start to the Senior Cup competition in which they created history by reaching last season’s Final less than five months ago.

Millbrook meanwhile arrived in a healthy 7th place in the Premier Division after being promoted as Division One West champions in May.

Playing with the wind at their backs, Millbrook forced the first of several superb saves during the afternoon by Dom Angove in the Mousehole goal, with Adel Gafaiti putting in a vital block from the rebound after 12 minutes.

But it was the hosts who went into the lead on 16 minutes when Steven Ziboth put in an electrifying run down the left from inside his own half, and his knee-high cross was expertly side-footed in by the perfectly positioned Gerens James.

Just before the half hour, both sides were reduced to ten men. The visitors’ Tom Payne launched a dangerous two-footed tackle on playmaker Lorenzo Gerimi which sparked a reaction from players of both sides, after which Payne was shown the expected red card. But Mousehole’s returning former captain Steve Burt was also controversially dismissed by Referee Marc Rose for an alleged incident during the melee.

Millbrook then came very close to an equaliser with three chances in as many minutes.  After making a smart diving save to push a low shot round his near post, Dom Angove tipped over the awkward wind-assisted in-swinging corner, and was then grateful to Adel Gafaiti for another brave block in front of goal in the 37th.

However, The Seagulls took advantage of their own resolute defending as Gerens James doubled the lead and his own tally a minute later, the front man taking a sideways pass just inside the area to whip a curling shot past ‘keeper Chris Wearing.

The second half ebbed and flowed throughout in the high wind with chances at both ends, as two attack-minded teams enjoyed the extra space created by the earlier dismissals.

Millbrook reduced the arrears in the 54th minute, Graham O’Neill nudging home in a one-on-one after Mousehole had lost possession just outside their own box.  The momentum was now with the visitors, but they were vulnerable to quick breaks from Steven Ziboth, whose swift running always looked likely to create chances.

With a Millbrook equaliser still on the cards as they pressed forward, Ziboth put in another dash down the left on 75 minutes, but his driven shot was beaten out by Wearing, only for William Vouama to pick up the loose ball and fire into the net for a 3-1 scoreline.

Three minutes later it was 3-2 as Millbrook forced themselves back into contention with Ryan Knight working himself some space inside the box from a right wing cross to hook a left-footed shot inside the far post.

And in a tense finale, Mousehole had Dom Angove to thank for a breathtaking save in the 90th minute to tip over a 20-yard free kick destined for the top corner, with the drama continuing into added-on time as a well-executed volley from the edge of the box crashed against the crossbar.

Mousehole’s win reinforces their reputation as ‘Cup Specialists’, having last season disposed of Premier Division teams St Austell, Camelford, Launceston and Newquay.  They then went away to Newquay again two weeks ago away in the first round of the League Cup and beat them once again, earning a second round tie at yet another Premier Division club Sticker on Saturday week (20th).

Next Saturday (13th) sees The Seagulls return to League action against lowly Bude Town at Trungle Parc (3pm).

Mousehole v Millbrook: Dom Angove, Billy Curtis (captain), Ryan Andrew, Adel Gafaiti, Kelian Mpaka, Steve Burt, Paula Sousa, Lorenzo Gerimi, William Vouama, Gerens James, Steven Ziboth.

Substitutes: Tom Hands (for Kelian Mpaka, 62), Jamie Devine (for Lorenzo Gerimi, 82), Sam Shulberg, Paul Williams, Jake Andrew

Scorers: GERENS JAMES 16 (1-0), GERENS JAMES 38 (2-0), Half Time 2-0, Graham O’Neill 54 (2-1), WILLIAM VOUAMA 75 (3-1), Ryan Knight 78 (3-2).

Referee: Marc Rose.     Attendance: 67.

MOUSEHOLE 0-1 ST BLAZEY

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION ONE WEST

SATURDAY 29th SEPTEMBER 2018, AT TRUNGLE PARC

Despite dominating possession for the entire match and creating a hatful of chances, Mousehole’s much-depleted line-up suffered a home defeat against a St Blazey side who were playing under new management following a poor sequence of results.

After their headline-making 2-0 win in the League Cup at higher-level Newquay the previous Saturday, The Seagulls started without six players who would normally feature on the team sheet, but continued to play an attractive brand of football that could have enabled them to build a substantial winning margin.

The visitors’ ‘keeper Dale England, returning from suspension, got back just in time to prevent a cute Will Vouama chip crossing the line as early as the 3rd minute.  Tom Patrick’s cross-cum-shot just eluded Gerens James in front of goal on 8 minutes, a Billy Curtis header from Vouama’s free kick went just over on 12, Craig Wilcox’s left-wing cross was scuffed away from inside the six-yard box on 16, and Wilcox and James were both close in the same attack on 18.

St Blazey were fortunate to escape punishment when defender Paul New pushed Referee Matthew Carney in a dispute over a free kick award, and their luck continued in the 35th minute when, completely against the run of play and in a rare foray over the halfway line, Josh Harris lobbed in a speculative 30-yard cross from the left which floated just inside Dom Angove’s far post.

The action continued at the other end, with newcomer Lorenzo Gerimi hitting the bar in the 41st minute with a superbly executed free kick, as the visitors’ uncompromising tackling earned them two yellow cards in quick succession. And more chances were created before half time, Billy Curtis mis-connecting from a low cross and Will Vouama’s weaving run blocked by the ‘keeper.

The second half continued in the same vein, Vouama putting a clear chance wide in the 54th minute, Craig Wilcox having a header cleared off the line 10 minutes later, and on 67 the closest yet to a goal as Vouama’s 30-yard free kick smacked against the far upright with ‘keeper England a stranded onlooker.

St Blazey were content to sit back in their own half, but unexpectedly surged forward in the 76th minute and would have doubled the lead in true ‘smash and grab’ fashion had it not been for a great tip-over by Dom Angove from a goalbound 25-yard drive.  And three minutes later, the young ‘keeper was booked for colliding with the speedy Harris just outside the penalty area in another breakaway.

Mousehole continued their bombardment, England rescuing his side with a finger-tip reaction save from a Gerens James’ close-range header and moments later from an angled drive by substitute Sam Shulberg, who was then millimetres away from nodding in Craig Wilcox’s cross in the 90th minute.

Judging by their celebrations at the final whistle, St Blazey will feel that this resolute performance has brought to a halt their disappointing start to the season, and it earned them a joint-top “SWPL team of the week” in a public poll – but it could have been a very different story had The Seagulls managed to convert just a fraction of the chances created.

The defeat leaves Mousehole in 8th place in the Division One West table with a 50% points haul from their opening seven League games a quarter of the way into the season, having won three, drawn two and lost two.

Their next fixture is a Cornwall Senior Cup 1st Round home tie this Saturday (6th October) against Premier Division Millbrook at Trungle Parc, kick off 2:30pm, with extra time and penalties to decide the outcome if necessary.  Millbrook were promoted at the end of last season as West Division champions, and have made a good start at the higher level with six wins from 13 games to occupy 7th place in the table.

The Seagulls return to League business the following Saturday (13th) when Bude Town visit Trungle Parc (3pm).

Mousehole v St Blazey:  Dom Angove, Billy Curtis (captain), Ryan Andrew, Adel Gafaiti, Tom Hands, Lorenzo Gerimi, Kaid Hamza, William Vouama, Tom Patrick, Craig Wilcox, Gerens James.

Substitutes: Jamie Devine (for Kaid Hamza, 46), Sam Shulberg (for Tom Patrick, 72), Paul Williams, Louis Graham.

Referee: Matthew Carney.     Attendance: 108.