Author: Jeff Richardson

by Jeff Richardson

MATCH REPORT | Mousehole vs Elburton Villa

MOUSEHOLE 0-1 ELBURTON VILLA

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

SATURDAY 24^TH MARCH 2018, AT TRUNGLE PARC

After their heroic mid-week exertions in the League Cup semi-final against Premier Division Tavistock, Mousehole returned to League action on Saturday against Elburton Villa with both sides in search of crucial points to maintain their challenge in the ‘mix’ at the top of the table. And just when the game looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw, it was the Plymouth-based visitors who grabbed the winner in the first minute of added time to make it five consecutive wins without conceding a goal and ruin The Seagulls’ 100% home record.

The run of form has seen The Villa side become the ‘dark horses’ of the promotion race in their second season since relegation from the Premier Division. Only seven points now separate the top seven teams, with Mousehole in the middle of the pack, but they all have a different number of games to play, including against each other, so the race is still wide open. The Seagulls have played more games than the rest, but with ten games left and six of those at home they are still in with a great chance, despite dropping points on Saturday.

Mousehole gave a debut to Torquay United’s 19-year old goalkeeper Neal Osborn, but in a game in which both teams’ defences were dominant, neither he nor Jack Dixon at the other end had a single shot to save. In fact, the match was notable for fewer goal chances than yellow cards, as both sides put in some determined challenges with the visitors in particular expressing overt displeasure at most of the refereeing decisions that went against them.

The Seagulls had slightly the better of the first half, a Paulo Sousa free kick from 25 yards spinning just past the angle on 18 minutes, Steven Ziboth poking a shot from the left past the far post after clever set-up play by Will Vouama on 20, and Jake Andrew scuffing a shot wide from 12 yards after 28 minutes.

Will Vouama continued to be Mousehole’s main man in the early stages of the second half, his weaving run from the halfway line being blocked illegally right on the 18-yard line in the 55^th minute, and another penetrating run on 72 also earning a 20-yard free kick. But Elburton stood firm and started to fashion chances of their own. Captain Lewis Chrimes got in a great position from a threatening free kick but put his header into the side netting from close range on 73, and from that moment on the game opened up. Five minutes from the end The Villa withstood a flurry of attacks with Vouama again the creator and Calum Elliot up front to spearhead the attack, but on 90 minutes Villa’s 17-goal dangerman Nick Aplin came close with a 20-yard shot deflected just over the bar. From the inswinging corner the ball was only half cleared and Josh Tattersall was in space 15 yards out to volley a low shot through a crowd of players into the far corner.

Mousehole have the oppportunity to get back to winning ways with the Good Friday local derby against Penzance at Penlee Parc (11am), but Wayne Quinn’s side have gained some creditable results in recent weeks, lifting them up to 9^th in the table, seven points below Mousehole with a game in hand, and will be looking to avenge their two defeats to The Seagulls at Trungle Parc this season – 2-0 in the League on Boxing Day and 4-0 in the Cornwall Charity Cup quarter-final in mid-February.

Mousehole v Elburton Villa: N Osborn, B Curtis (c), C Elliot, L Andrew, P Sousa, J Adlard, R Holland, W Vouama, L Johnson, J Andrew, S Ziboth

Substitutes: J Otto (for J Andrew, 85), K Lawrence (for R Holland, 86), J Thomson, C Davey

Scorer: Elburton Villa – J Tattersall, 90+1

Referee: Kevin Knowles. Attendance: 84.

by Jeff Richardson

MATCH PREVIEW – Mousehole vs Elburton Villa

MOUSEHOLE v ELBURTON VILLA

SATURDAY 24^TH MARCH 2018

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

AT TRUNGLE PARC, 3PM

After their heroic exertions on Tuesday evening in the League Cup semi-final against Premier Division Tavistock, Mousehole return to League action tomorrow against Elburton Villa in search of crucial points to maintain their challenge in the ‘mix’ at the top of the table.

But they will have to be at their very best to beat a Villa side who could become the ‘dark horses’ of the promotion race. Only 10 points separate the top seven sides, with varying goal differences and number of games played. Villa currently stand in 7^th place, six points behind Mousehole with three games in hand, and have won their last four League games without conceding a goal, including 1-0 at home against second-place Liskeard Athletic.

Mousehole have played more games than all their rivals except Liskeard, but with a total of 11 League matches left to play including tomorrow’s, seven of them are at home.

This is Elburton Villa’s second season in the West Division after relegation from the Premier. Last season they had a great campaign, finishing runners-up with a record that would normally have seen them return to the top flight – however, Sticker were the outstanding team and secured the promotion spot early on and by a wide margin.

The Villa have won all three League matches against Mousehole: 4-0 away and 6-0 at home, while this season they were the last team to beat The Seagulls in the League, with a 3-1 win at home on 18^th November, on a day notable for a severely depleted squad, a coach breakdown en route to the match and a controversial penalty that swung the game in the hosts’ favour.

So tomorrow’s game is important for all sorts of reasons!

by Jeff Richardson

MOUSEHOLE’S HEROES TAKE THE CREDIT AFTER NARROW SEMI-FINAL EXIT

MOUSEHOLE 0-2 TAVISTOCK

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

SEMI-FINAL TIE

TUESDAY 20^TH MARCH 2018, AT MOUNT WISE, NEWQUAY AFC

Mousehole faced their fifth higher-division opposition in this season’s cup competitions but were edged out by the Premier Division’s second best side Tavistock, who were last season’s champions.

But there need be no excessive disappointment at this result, as The Seagulls’ performance on the night, together with the previous wins over Camelford, Launceston, Newquay and St Austell, demonstrated they will be more than capable of holding their own in the higher division. Playing with great organisation and skill, and enjoying periods of play with better possession and creativity, they succumbed to two late goals which will no doubt have brought considerable relief to the Devonians.

Tavistock, who have lost only three games all season, were the first to threaten with a shot across goal from the left on 13 minutes and on 21 they hit the underside of the bar from a similar position. But the two teams were proving to be equally matched and Calum Elliot drove narrowly wide on 29 minutes with a swerving 30-yard free kick and two minutes later Jake Andrew’s shot on the turn was straight at goalkeeper Josh Oak. Two minutes before the interval Will Vouama forced Oak into a sprawling save with a low shot from 25 yards, but at the other end in the last action of the half veteran Paul Williams – again deputising in goal for the unfit Steve Parker-Billinge – pulled off a magnificent close-range block from a one-on-one chance.

After Tyler Tonkin was withdrawn in the 58^th minute, having dislocated and fractured his elbow, Mousehole had a dominant spell, almost making the crucial breakthrough on four occasions in a pulsating ten minutes, Luke Johnson’s shot requiring a diving save by the keeper, a Will Vouama-inspired left-wing break scrambled out for a corner, Paulo Sousa’s shot deflected over for another corner, and Jordan Adlard’s drive missing the far post by inches.

The Lambs were beginning to look vulnerable and frustrated, having by this stage picked up six yellow cards, but it was they who snatched the lead on 76 minutes. Tallan Burns found space on the left after a swift break and cut in at speed past two defenders to fire low into the net from 15 yards.

Mousehole’s talented Will Vouama was again crudely chopped down in the 79^th minute, this time very close to the edge of the penalty area, and was subsequently replaced by Steven Ziboth. Paul Williams made another point-blank save from a header on 83, and a minute later Calum Elliot was despatched from centre back to centre forward, where he caused more discomfort for the Tavistock defence. However, on 89 Jack Crago scored The Lambs’ second goal in opportunist fashion, breaking through a tackle to slot home. Mousehole continued to play with positive conviction and after laying siege to the Tavistock goal had a score chalked off for offside on 90+2.

The latter stages of an entertaining match were marred by racist comments directed towards Mousehole’s black players by a section of the Tavistock supporters, which the club is currently reporting to the League and FA.

Despite defeat – their first in 15 games since mid-November – Mousehole still have plenty to look forward to: a first-ever Cornwall Senior Cup Final (on Easter Monday against Premier Division Saltash United at St Blazey AFC), and a Cornwall Charity Cup Semi-Final against fellow West Division rivals Liskeard Athletic (date and venue yet to be finalised). In the meantime, the essential business of gaining League points continues this Saturday, when The Seagulls, currently in third place in the table, welcome Plymouth-based Elburton Villa to Trungle Parc (3pm). Until last night, The Villa had been the last team to beat Mousehole, with a 3-1 win at Haye Road on 18^th November, and they are currently six points behind Mousehole with three games in hand.

Mousehole: Paul Williams, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Liam Andrew, Calum Elliot, Kevin Lawrence, Jordan Adlard, Will Vouama, Luke Johnson, Jake Andrew, Paulo Sousa. Substitutes: Chris Prout (for Tyler Tonkin, 58), Steven Ziboth (for Will Vouama, 80), Josh Otto (for Jake Andrew, 84), Connor Davey.

Scorers for Tavistock: Tallan Burns (76), Jack Crago (89)

Referee: Steve Annis; Assistant Referees: Ian Roberts & Dave Dodson.

Attendance: 153

by Jeff Richardson

SEAGULLS MAINTAIN PROMOTION PUSH WITH HARD WORKING WIN

MOUSEHOLE 3-1 HOLSWORTHY

PENINSULA LEAGUE WEST DIVISION

SATURDAY 17^TH MARCH 2018, AT TRUNGLE PARC

Mousehole secured their season’s ninth home win in the League to maintain their remarkable 100% home record and gain a vital three points to move back up into third spot in the table. But Holsworthy, who had beaten Mousehole resoundingly by 4-0 at Upcott Field at the end of September, made the hosts work hard to achieve their victory and in the last few minutes came close to a previously unexpected equaliser.

The Seagulls had recent arrivals, former Helston Athletic club captain Jamie Thomson and ex-Ludgvan midfielder Ryan Holland, making their debuts, while Paul Williams deputised for the unwell Steve Parker-Billinge in goal, Josh Otto started, and Liam Andrew was serving a one-match suspension after his sending-off in the Cornwall Senior Cup semi-final.

Mousehole had the first chance after just three minutes when Connor Davey blazed over a great chance on the run, and visiting goalkeeper Ryan Walter was then forced into two good saves. But Holsworthy came back with a near-post shot into the side netting, followed by an important close-range save by Paul Williams from Dan Wilson. At the other end Calum Elliot advanced from deep to send a 25-yard left-foot shot past the near post, and on 40 minutes Mousehole went ahead with a freak goal when a defender’s clearance in a crowded penalty area cannoned off the unsuspecting Jake Andrew and nestled in the corner of the Magpies’ net.

In the second half The Seagulls’ patient passing in front of a massed defence paid off in the 72^nd minute when half-time substitute Kevin Lawrence threaded a pass through the proverbial eye of the needle where top-scorer Luke Johnson cut inside from the left corner of the box and fired hard and low inside the far post from 15 yards. With the home side now well on top, Ryan Walter produced an outstanding double-save to block Luke Johnson’s shot and substitute Jordan Adlard’s follow-up from close range in the 81st minute.

This spurred the visitors on to attack, creating a fast breakaway on 82 which required Paul Williams to save a one-on-one chance, and then earning a penalty after a trip by Calum Elliot a minute later. Williams beat out the penalty but Carlo Chandler turned the loose ball into the net for 2-1 to set up a tense finish to the match. With the hosts reduced to 10 men after Johnson went off after prolonged injury treatment, Holsworthy had a long-range drive just clear the crossbar on 90 minutes. But another of Mousehole’s substitutes, Paulo Sousa, made the game safe in the 5^th minute of added time, when he was fouled clumsily on the edge of the box, and curled a perfect free kick over the wall and inside the near post.

The promotion race remains tight, with the Seagulls now three points behind Liskeard Athletic from the same number of games, equal on points with Porthleven and two ahead of Millbrook, but with the last two teams having played two and three fewer games, respectively. Of Mousehole’s remaining 11 League games, 7 are at home and 4 away, with the next fixture at home this Saturday (24^th) at 3pm against Elburton Villa who are currently in seventh place, nine points behind Mousehole with four games in hand.

Mousehole: Paul Williams, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Calum Elliot, Chris Prout, Josh Otto, Jamie Thomson, Ryan Holland, Luke Johnson, Jake Andrew, Connor Davey. Substitutes: Kevin Lawrence (for Tyler Tonkin, 46), Jordan Adlard (for Jamie Thomson, 75), Paulo Sousa (for Connor Davey, 75)

Scorers: Mousehole – Jake Andrew (40), Luke Johnson (72), Paulo Sousa (90+5); Holsworthy – Carlo Chandler (83)

Referee: Nigel Nicholls. Attendance: 80.

by Jeff Richardson

PREMIERSHIP CLUBS TO KICK OFF NEW ‘ENDORSED CUP’

Mousehole AFC and the Endorsed Academy have announced an exciting new pre-season annual tournament, which will be launched on 20^th/21^st July featuring Premiership clubs Newcastle United and Huddersfield Town as well as Championship club Bolton Wanderers, together with Mousehole’s First team and their 18-23 year old Elite group.

Ambassador Jason Blunt, now based in Yorkshire, aims to ensure that the new annual Cup competition will provide Mousehole’s players with real competition in preparation for the 18/19 season: “We are delighted to be able to welcome these fantastic clubs to West Cornwall, and we owe them huge thanks for helping to launch our new annual cup competition. We will be inviting football fans from across the county and beyond to get involved and support our drive to raise standards and awareness of Cornish football.”

Ezra Chapman, Chairman of the Endorsed Group, praised Jason Blunt for his hard work in organising the new tournament. “Jason has been working as an ambassador for the club and Academy to help realise our goals. The Endorsed Cup is credit to Jason’s tireless effort and achievement: it brings huge profile to what we are set to achieve, and will help show the young players of Cornwall the standards they can aspire to. Jason will continue to focus on the Endorsed Cup and Pro Club relations while also coaching at another Academy in Yorkshire to get his feet regularly back on the football field, and we anticipate that our continuing relationship will prove even more fruitful over the coming seasons.”

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Newlyn-born Blunt left his role as Under-23’s manager with Championship club Leeds United to join Mousehole last June with a specific brief to establish the club’s own Academy, and drive forward the first stage in The Seagulls’ ambitious long-term plan to develop in a progressive and sustainable way. In the first eight months since then Mousehole have set up eight youth teams, aiming to grow to 20-plus teams for the 2018/19 season, and have stimulated great interest and demand in the area. Blunt has utilised his wide-ranging contacts in the game to offer playing opportunities at Mousehole to young footballers released from pro clubs and to organise highly successful weekend visits to West Cornwall by Leeds United’s youngsters and more recently Leeds United Ladies, as well as footballing weekends for Mousehole’s youth teams away at Barnsley and Manchester City Academies.

Chapman concluded: “We are continuing to work on a number of initiatives across the club and Academy, and I’m sure we’ll be making more announcements in the coming weeks – watch this space!”

by Jeff Richardson

SEAGULLS DISPATCH TEIGNMOUTH TO REACH LEAGUE CUP SEMI

MOUSEHOLE 2-1 TEIGNMOUTH after extra time, score 1-1 at 90 minutes

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

QUARTER FINAL TIE

SATURDAY 10^TH MARCH 2018, AT TRUNGLE PARC

Mousehole’s closely-fought League Cup quarter-final win over Teignmouth earned them a semi-final clash with Premier Division side Tavistock at Newquay next Tuesday, 20^th March, kick off 7:30pm. Tavistock will be The Seagulls’ fifth higher-league opposition in this season’s Cup competitions, having beaten Camelford, Launceston, Newquay and St Austell – and on Easter Monday they will face a sixth, Saltash United, in the Cornwall Senior Cup Final at St Blazey.

Saturday’s match against Teignmouth, originally scheduled for the previous week but postponed because of the South Devon side’s travelling difficulties after severe weather, was able to go ahead on a sunny afternoon with the Trungle Parc playing surface in good condition.

East Division Teignmouth, facing a 260-mile round trip on the day, had reached the quarter-final stage after beating three West Division sides including Penzance, and with a strong and well-organised performance, and no shortage of goal chances, they made The Seagulls work hard for their narrow victory, their second 120-minute marathon in less than 72 hours.

After Wednesday’s magnificent but physically strenuous extra-time win over Premier Division St Austell in the Cornwall Senior Cup semi-final, Mousehole started slowly, with the visitors’ energy and speed giving them the better of the first half. But as the game wore on, it was Mousehole’s now-renowned fitness that came to the fore, enabling them to dictate play for the last half-hour of normal time and then dominate the 30 minutes of extra time.

Teignmouth came close in the 11^th minute when centre-back Scott Baxter just failed to reach an inviting free kick across the six yard line, but four minutes later they were ahead as left winger Jay James outpaced the defence to prod the ball home after a sprint from the half-way line. But the lead lasted only three minutes, Luke Johnson scoring his 12^th goal of the season with a shot from the right side of the 18-yard line just inside the far post. Teignmouth had two presentable chances to regain the lead before the interval, as Hayden Roe and Sam Chapman caused frequent trouble for the Mousehole back line, Roe volleying over on 28 from close range and Chapman hitting the top of the bar with a cross-cum-shot from the right on 41.

The Teigns again came close on 57 minutes with Chapman in the clear but Tyler Tonkin got back superbly to block the chance. And from the resulting corner Scott Baxter rose well but put his free header over the bar from six yards. At the other end, Liam Andrew headed over with a good chance from Will Vouama’s accurate cross just after the hour, and a couple of minutes from the end of normal time Wednesday’s match winner Steven Ziboth was inches away from connecting with substitute Chris Prout’s low cross at the far post.

Teignmouth were the first to threaten in extra time with a fast break that was crowded out, but on 99 minutes Ziboth’s 12-yard drive hit the unaware Luke Ashford in goal, and from that moment on the visitors retreated to deep positions, relying on breakaways and set pieces. And one such chance came shortly after the extra time turn-round, Jack Baxter advancing after winning the ball in midfield but shooting over the bar. Three minutes later The Seagulls took the lead for the first time, as the bells began to ring loudly from the nearby Paul Church. Will Vouama’s trickery on the left of the box gave him the space to chip a perfect cross into the middle where Jake Andrew, who had been well shackled by the visitors’ defence all afternoon, scored with a diving header. Teignmouth had one last chance to take the game to a penalty shoot-out as Roe wriggled free on the left and from a tight angle rolled the ball inches wide of the far post.

Mousehole: Steve Parker-Billinge, Tyler Tonkin, Calum Elliot, Billy Curtis (captain), Liam Andrew, Kevin Lawrence, Jordan Adlard, William Vouama, Luke Johnson, Jake Andrew, Steven Ziboth.

Substitutes: Chris Prout (for Jordan Adlard, 63), Connor Davey (for Luke Johnson, 66), Paulo Sousa

Scorers: Teignmouth – Jay James (15). Mousehole – Luke Johnson (18), Jake Andrew (109)

Referee: Derek Hughes. Attendance: 112

*Mousehole will be in search of vital League points to reinforce their promotion bid when Holsworthy visit Trungle Parc this Saturday (17^th) for a Peninsula League West Division fixture (kick off 3pm).

*The club will be running supporters’ coaches to the Cornwall Senior Cup Final (Mousehole’s first-ever appearance in the Final) on Easter Monday – for details and bookings see notice in clubhouse and on social media.

by Jeff Richardson

GIANT-KILLING MOUSEHOLE SOAR INTO HISTORIC CORNWALL SENIOR CUP FINAL

MOUSEHOLE 3-1 ST AUSTELL (after extra time, score at full time 1-1)

CORNWALL SENIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL

WEDNESDAY 7^TH MARCH 2018

AT KELLAWAY PARK, HELSTON ATHLETIC AFC

Two perfectly-executed goals in the second period of extra time of an incident-packed Senior Cup Semi-Final earned Mousehole a well-deserved win over higher-division St Austell in front of a large crowd on a rain-sodden but memorable night at Helston.

The Seagulls had never before reached the semi-final of the County FA’s prestigious cup competition, but they were not content to leave the record at that, as they showed great skill, courage, decision-making and fitness to overcome their illustrious Premier Division opponents who have been multiple winners of the Senior Cup.

Both teams had enjoyed home advantage in all ties leading up to the semi-final, with Mousehole beating two Cornwall Combination sides RNAS Culdrose (5-1) and West Cornwall (2-0) and then Premier Division visitors Newquay (5-0), while St Austell had knocked out Combo side Mullion (11-0), Division 1 West Dobwalls (3-2) and then Camelford (2-1).

St Austell started on the front foot but were undone in the 6^th minute when a short-corner routine led to a long cross beyond the far post where Jake Andrew nodded the ball back and Luke Johnson rifled a low drive into the net from 10 yards.

Steve Parker-Billinge had to be at his goalkeeping best to pounce on to a dangerous low cross as the Lillywhites came back strongly, but there was little he could do to prevent an equaliser on 17 minutes when Martin Watts put in a high inswinging free kick from the right towards St Austell’s big defenders and Martin Giles was first to the ball to head home.

The Seagulls, giving as good as they got in a tough physical encounter, were in the ascendancy for the last 15 minutes of the first half with a composed performance when on the ball and some alert defending as St Austell looked to play on the break.

St Austell had a goal ruled out for offside on 51 minutes as they again started the half strongly and Liam Andrew received a yellow card for a foul four minutes later as Mousehole were pressed back. Paulo Sousa and William Vouama were being targeted with rough treatment as The Lillywhites sought to impose themselves, but it was a violent over-the-top tackle on Kevin Lawrence in the centre-circle that led to a straight red card for St Austell’s Chris Reski on 63 minutes, an event which provoked a mass confrontation between the players of both sides. Five minutes later it became ten-versus-ten when Liam Andrew was dealt a second yellow card for a trip on Mark Goldsworthy as he latched on to a loose ball after a rare defensive mix-up, with Steve Parker-Billinge making a great save from the resultant free kick again delivered menacingly by Martin Watts.

The greater space provided by the two dismissals suited Mousehole better and as the game opened up Jason Chapman in the St Austell goal made good saves from 25-yard shots by Will Vouama and Jordan Adlard. But what turned out to be a significant moment was the substitute appearance of Steven Ziboth with 15 minutes to go, and the diminutive 19-year old’s pace and movement kept the Lillywhites powerful defence guessing for the rest of the match. Chapman was in action again on 90+2 as he blocked Ziboth’s shot from close range after a dazzling run from the left.

Mousehole’s retention and quick forward movement of the ball on a slick surface saw them dominate large parts of the 30 minutes of extra time, with a tiring St Austell side threatening only occasionally through set pieces and long balls upfield, and looking content to hold on for a penalty shoot-out. Steven Ziboth’s cross-cum-shot hit the far post on 100 minutes and on 110 William Vouama had a shot brilliantly blocked when a goal looked certain. But the goal that had been coming for some time resulted from a quickly-taken free kick in Mousehole’s own half, William Vouama weaving elegantly past labouring defenders and chipping a superb pass into the path of Steven Ziboth who raced through to shoot low past Chapman for 2-1 in the 115th minute.

In a sensational last minute of added time, goalkeeper Jason Chapman went up for a last-gasp St Austell corner, Martin Giles’ header was cleared off the line by Tyler Tonkin to prevent an undeserved equaliser, the ball reached Steve Parker-Billinge and his quick release saw Steven Ziboth overtake the retreating Chapman with stunning speed to slot into the unguarded net from 30 yards and prompt huge celebrations both on and off the pitch.

Mousehole’s semi-final result was their fourth Cup win of the season against Premier Division opposition, having already disposed of Camelford, Launceston and Newquay, and they will need to show the same qualities in the Senior Cup Final* against last season’s losing finalists Saltash United (3-1 winners against Torpoint Athletic in the other semi-final) who currently stand 4^th in the Premier Division table with only four league defeats this season.

This Saturday (10^th) Mousehole face Division 1 East side Teignmouth at Trungle Parc (2:30pm) in the League Cup quarter-final tie postponed from last Saturday because of travelling conditions. If Mousehole win, they will play Tavistock in the semi-final at Newquay on Tuesday March 20^th, their fifth Premier Division opposition this season.

Mousehole: Steve Parker-Billinge, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Calum Elliot, Liam Andrew, Kevin Lawrence, Jordan Adlard, William Vouama, Luke Johnson, Jake Andrew, Paulo Sousa

Substitutes: Steven Ziboth (for Jake Andrew, 75), Connor Davey, Caleb Marsden, Josh Otto

St Austell: Jason Chapman, Will Tinsley, Martin Watts, Martin Giles, Tom Chambers, Ross Lye, Jordan Dingle, Chris Reski, Liam Dingle, Mark Goldsworthy, Jack Calver

Substitutes: Lean, Searle, Powell, Flack (for Liam Dingle, 85)

Scorers: Mousehole – Luke Johnson (6), Steven Ziboth (115, 120+3); St Austell – Martin Giles (17)

Officials: Referee – Neil Hunnisett, Assistant Referees – Steve Nute & Keith Houghton, Fourth Official – Steve Annis

Attendance: 381

*Cornwall Senior Cup Final: Mousehole v Saltash United, Easter Monday 2^nd April, at Blaise Park, St Blazey AFC, kick off 2pm

by Jeff Richardson

RESERVES FLYING HIGH AT THE TOP OF THE LEAGUE

MOUSEHOLE RESERVES 5-1 LANNER

WHIRLWIND SPORTS TRELAWNY LEAGUE, DIVISION 1

SATURDAY 3^RD MARCH 2018, AT MARAZION

It was a beautiful afternoon at Marazion in contrast with the recent adverse weather conditions, and a sizeable crowd – with the numbers boosted as a result of many postponed matches locally – turned out for The Seagulls’ first home league fixture of the year.

Mousehole quickly achieved dominance and within minutes of the kick off Chris Bullock drove in a shot that just skimmed over the Lanner crossbar. Shortly afterwards the same player made it 1-0 with a header from a well-placed cross.

As the game progressed Lanner defended stubbornly, breaking down many of the hosts’ attacks. At the other end a superb free just outside the Mousehole box beat Paul Williams in goal but fortunately for the home side the ball rebounded off the upright.

Mousehole made the most of this close escape to go 2-0 into the lead. After a good passage of play found Michael Fitchett free on the right wing, he entered the Lanner penalty box and was tumbled over by a defender, with the referee having no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Chris Bullock converted the penalty for his second goal of the afternoon. Mousehole continued in control, with Lee Robinson prominent in mid-field and Jamie Simons making good runs down the left.

Lanner continued in the second half as they had finished the first period with some excellent defending in the face of numerous Mousehole attacks, one of which featured an overhead kick wide of goal by Michael Fitchett.

The visitors were once again unlucky not to score as a shot came back off the post, but it was not long before they were rewarded for their efforts, following some slack defending by the Mousehole defence.

At only 2-1 in arrears, Lanner were playing some good football, while Mousehole were going through a lean spell. However another attack saw Chris Bullock brought down in the penalty box, and he stepped up to score his second penalty of the afternoon and complete his hat-trick.

With The Seagulls then moving up a gear, some good work by Matt Howes and Tyler Tonkin found an unmarked JJ Simmonds on the edge of the box and his shot made it 4 – 1. This was quickly followed by a similar move, with Josh Storey dummying a defender to allow Jamie Simons to make it number 5 with a close tap in.

This was an entertaining fixture, a good all-round team effort and a well-earned victory against formidable opponents whose good play belied their lowly league placing.

The win puts Mousehole at the top of the table with 35 points, one point ahead of Hayle but with four games in hand. The next scheduled league fixture is away at Threemilestone on 17^th March, followed by a home game against Constantine on 24^th.

Mousehole Reserves’ squad v Lanner: Paul Williams, Joe Davies(captain), Lee Robinson, Tom McGarry, Harry Tonkin, Jason Simmonds, Michael Fitchett, Chris Bullock, Jamie Simons, Matthew Howes, Josh Storey, Tom Hooper, Tyler Tonkin, Tom George

by Jeff Richardson

MOUSEHOLE AFC AND ENDORSED ACADEMY STRENGTHEN THEIR TEAM WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF JAMIE THOMSON

Jamie Thomson, former Club Captain and Head Coach of Helston Athletic and owner of a thriving football coaching business, has agreed to join Mousehole AFC’s management and coaching team while also joining forces to merge his business with the Endorsed Academy, as the club looks to strengthen further its strategy to develop into the foremost football organisation in the region.

A well-respected figure in Cornish football, Thomson has a wealth of playing and coaching experience at this level, having been captain of the successful Helston Athletic team that won the South West Peninsula League West Division in 2014/15, and since gaining promotion to the Premier Division he has been their Club Captain and most recently Head Coach.

Thomson’s coaching business, now in operation for some ten years, involves simultaneous delivery of after-school clubs on most days of the week at various locations during term time, and during school holidays the emphasis turns to soccer camps. The business will be re-branded and developed under the umbrella of the Endorsed range of services that support Mousehole AFC, with the aim of increasing the number of participants, schools and projects, and widening the coverage of areas in Cornwall. With hundreds of children involved, there will be greatly improved opportunities to identify youngsters and provide a pathway to the Endorsed Academy’s age-group development squads at Mousehole, which themselves will increase in number as demand rises.

Cheltenham-born Thomson is excited for the future: “Having understood the vision and values here, I’m super-passionate about joining to help create a better future for the County’s young sportsmen and women. Combining forces with Endorsed, I can foresee the expansion of our current projects, including our hugely popular soccer camps – which are fun-based games and activities – but also the development of more specialised skills-focussed camps for youngsters with real potential and raw talent. I’m also aiming to bring to the club my experience as a player and an adults’ team coach, having played as a pro for Cheltenham Town and as a semi-pro around the Midlands before moving to Cornwall and playing for Porthleven, Falmouth and Helston. I feel I have a lot to offer…..and of course I’ve also had a taste of promotion success, just like Mousehole are aiming for.”

Speaking of Thomson’s appointment, Ezra Chapman, Chairman of the Endorsed Group and a former Mousehole AFC player and now Adviser to the club, added: “We collectively have a long-term vision for the sustainable development of the club while at the same time improving football coaching for the kids of Cornwall. Our focus on youth is absolutely key, so Jamie’s thinking and enterprise are very much in line with that. Jamie will extend our reach into new areas within the county, and also bring fresh knowledge, skills and business ideas to our talented leadership team, so I’m totally confident together we will produce tangible benefits for young footballers across the county.”

by Jeff Richardson

MATCH REPORT – DOBWALLS 0-0 MOUSEHOLE

DOBWALLS 0-0 MOUSEHOLE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, WEST DIVISION

SATURDAY 24^TH FEBRUARY 2018

AT LANTOOM PARK

After 11 consecutive wins in League and Cup competitions, second-place Mousehole had to settle for a solitary point at fourth-bottom Dobwalls, and despite the consolation of earning their 10^th ‘clean sheet’ of the season they will be reflecting how to turn their superiority into wins against physically aggressive and defensively-minded opponents.

The management duo of Simon Westlake and Ben Washam made their former club Plymstock United a hard team to beat, and they have brought similar battling qualities to this Dobwalls squad. The Seagulls certainly knew they were in for a difficult afternoon when first Paulo Sousa and then captain Billy Curtis were flattened by flying tackles in the opening period – the latter incident resulting in a 5-minute long treatment session on the pitch – but without any sanction from referee Clements.

Despite being knocked out of their stride, Mousehole still created enough chances to score in both halves. Chris Prout drove an early 25-yard free kick millimetres over the bar, Will Vouama had a goalbound shot tipped over by goalkeeper Bruce Shields, Liam Andrew headed just wide from a corner, and Paulo Sousa shot straight at the ‘keeper when well placed.

Dobwalls were content to hold on to the point they started with, rarely venturing forward and relying on set pieces to get the ball anywhere near the visitors’ goal. But Mousehole made a slow start to the second half and were relieved to see a chance go over the bar after a sudden break, virtually Dobwalls’ only serious attack during the 90 minutes. The Seagulls experienced an increasingly frustrating last half hour, with the hosts pulling all players back into the final third to deny space. Jake Andrew headed over when Luke Johnson’s cross for once found him in front of goal and then in the last minute a right-sided free kick skimmed through quickly to Billy Curtis a few feet out but he turned the chance over the bar.

The draw moves Mousehole down to fourth place, with their six promotion rivals – currently separated by 10 points – having the opportunity to play ‘catch up’ with their League games in hand this weekend while The Seagulls are in Cup action.

Mousehole: Steve Parker-Billinge, Billy Curtis (captain), Liam Andrew, Calum Elliot, Chris Prout, Kevin Lawrence, Jordan Adlard, William Vouama, Connor Davey, Jake Andrew, Paulo Sousa. Substitutes: Luke Johnson (for Connor Davey, 64), Steven Ziboth (for Jordan Adlard, 75), Tyler Tonkin, Jamie Thomson

*This Saturday (3^rd) Mousehole face their third Cup quarter-final in recent weeks when East Division Teignmouth visit Trungle Parc in the SWP League Cup (kick off 2:30pm). Teignmouth are currently in mid-table in their Division but with several games in hand over most teams above them, at least partly because of their outstanding Cup success this season. Like Mousehole, Teignmouth are undefeated in Cup competitions, and have already won through to the semi-finals of the Devon Premier Cup. To reach Saturday’s League Cup quarter-final tie, they beat two West Division sides away, and then Penzance at home. In all, they have won 7 Cup ties, 5 of them away, so the forthcoming encounter is likely to be both fascinating and close. Mousehole reached this stage with an away win over West Division leaders Ludgvan followed by two home wins over Premier Division sides Camelford and Launceston. The winners of Saturday’s tie will face a Premier Division side – one of Falmouth Town, Godolphin Atlantic, and either Tavistock or Plymouth Parkway, in the semi-finals on 20^th/21^st March.

*In the Cornwall Senior Cup, Mousehole’s reward for their quarter-final 5-0 win over Premier Division Newquay is a semi-final tie next Wednesday (7^th March) against another Premier Division side St Austell, at Bickland Park, Falmouth Town FC, kick off 7:30pm. The tie will be Mousehole’s first-ever appearances in the Senior Cup semi-finals, whereas St Austell have won the Cup three times in the last nine years and 14 times overall. The other semi-final brings together Saltash United and Torpoint Athletic, with the Final to be played at St Blazey on Easter Monday.

*In the Cornwall Charity Cup, after Mousehole’s 4-0 quarter-final win against Penzance, they have been drawn against Liskeard Athletic in the semi-finals, held at neutral venues – to be announced in due course – on 10^th and 11^th April. The other semi-final is St Blazey against Wadebridge Town, and the Final is scheduled for 9^th May.