A week is a long time in politics so they say. Five days can be a lifetime in football. Where Mousehole were dominant on Tuesday night they were meek here, where they’d been energetic before they were diffident this afternoon. Lacklustre is an apt word to describe the first half hour and whilst there was a stirring comeback ultimately, they got what they deserved. 

Under a vibrant sun the visitors began in beach football mode. Slow of movement, hesitant of thought. The flip flops were on show. Was it over confidence after beating the same opponents on Tuesday or simply the ghost of poor away form that has dogged the white and greens for two seasons? 

Whatever the reason, with ten minutes of the first half left they already looked to be out of the cup at two nil down. The goals were sloppily conceded and greedily taken. Both the result of another consistent failing; defending set pieces. 

The first came from a corner. Swung in and not cleared in spite of several chances to do so, the melee ended with a Brixham body hitting the floor and the referee pointing to the spot. The ensuing penalty was dispatched with ease. 

Ten minutes later a long throw from the right led to a game of head tennis which Brixham won with a looped effort that went in at the far post.

It felt like game over but suddenly the Seagulls awoke, maybe realising they were plunging to earth. Chances developed, probably the best being a Harrison drive that just went over. Not long after, a Massey cross was handled in the box and Turner fired the penalty home. There was still time for Mousehole to hit the bar as Brixham welcomed half time like a long-lost friend. 

Mousehole started the second half like they’d started the game on Tuesday but the equaliser wouldn’t come. Brixham were happy to absorb the pressure, staying deep and then try to attack on the break. This worked half way through the half. The keeper sent a long ball forward which no one dealt with, leaving the Brixham forward to burst free. He controlled the ball and unleashed a Geoff Hurst-like rocket which went in off the underside of the bar. Game over?

No.

Mousehole showed proper fighting spirit and suddenly they were back in it. Two goals in less than three minutes and in an instant everyone was thinking about a replay. 

The goals were very similar:

Starting with Jack Calver coming out of defence, the ball was played forward and picked up by Liam Prynn (2^nd goal) /  Tallan Mitchell (3^rdgoal), he beat a man and played it into the box for Tallan Mitchell (2^nd goal) / Jack Symons (3^rd goal). Surrounded by defenders he found space and “rolled it past the keeper” (2^nd goal) / “smashed it past the keeper” (3^rd goal).

Only one team looked like winning this game at that point and it wasn’t Brixham but win it they did. Mousehole gave away a soft free kick twenty five yards out. The resulting shot looked to be heading for the top corner until Lewis Moyle arrived to tip it round the post. From the corner, yes you’ve guessed it, more head tennis, ending with a looped headed winner. 

With only a few minutes left Mousehole pushed for another equaliser but it never looked like coming.  Dumped out the cup before the first qualifying round left a morose squad with only thoughts of what could, some would say should, have been. And so dreams of Wembley died for another year.