BUDE TOWN 1-2 MOUSEHOLE
SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, WEST DIVISION
SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 2017
AT BROADCLOSE PARK
In a wind-swept encounter between two teams without a win this season, Mousehole recorded a hugely-deserved victory in the seventh of their ten consecutive away games before returning to the refurbished Trungle Parc in October.
The Seagulls were without the unavailable Bradley Wills and Lewis Caspall and the suspended Joshua Storey, but welcomed Liam Andrew back into the squad after a two-month injury lay-off, and veteran ex-Penzance goalkeeper Paul Williams as cover for the injured Steve Parker-Billinge, while Matt McIlroy having played in goal the previous Saturday at Plymouth Marjon started in his accustomed striker position.
Playing for the first time in their smart two-tone green away kit, Mousehole were the dominant force throughout the first half despite suffering an early misfortune when a wind-assisted corner was inadvertently headed into his own goal by Tyler Tonkin on 5 minutes.
Home goalkeeper Gary Dinshaw was the busiest man on the pitch, single-handedly keeping his side in the game with half a dozen superb saves as his defence was repeatedly opened up by The Seagulls’ sharp passing and movement.
The long-awaited equaliser finally came on 43 minutes when captain Billy Curtis’ strong downward header from a right wing corner was half blocked on the line and Matt McIlroy was first to the loose ball to poke home.
The pattern of play continued in the second half, with the game played almost wholly in the hosts’ half and Paul Williams having a very quiet afternoon at the other end. After a series of near-misses and more heroics by Dinshaw, Mousehole’s persistence was rewarded on 57 minutes when Jorome Slew’s movement on the edge of the box took away two defenders leaving Matt McIlroy the time and space to launch his second and ultimately the winner, a typical left-footed drive from 20 yards that cannoned into the net off the underside of the crossbar.
The visitors’ continued to put in an accomplished performance, threatening more goals and comfortably stifling any attempts by Bude to hit back.
Despite the narrow-looking scoreline there was ample evidence that Mousehole’s patient style is beginning to pay off, and confidence will be high ahead of the forthcoming fixtures.
On Saturday (16th) The Seagulls travel the short distance to newly-promoted top-of-the-table Ludgvan for an intriguing League Cup first round tie (2.30pm kick off, extra time and penalties if necessary, with the winners at home to Wendron United or Premier Division Camelford in the second round on 7th October). They return to League action on Wednesday evening (20th) with a trip to recently-relegated St Blazey (7.30pm), followed by the long journey to Holsworthy on Saturday 23rd.
Mousehole: Paul Williams (GK), Billy Curtis (c), Max Hill, Josh Otto, Kevin Lawrence, Tyler Tonkin, Yeshe Briar, Luke Johnson, Jorome Slew, Matt McIlroy, Connor Davey
Substitutes: Ben Williams (for Tyler Tonkin, 54), Liam Andrew (for Josh Otto, 90+2), Louis Graham (for Matt McIlroy, 90+3), Ben Chapman
Mousehole scorer: Matt McIlroy (43, 57)
One comment