MOUSEHOLE 4-1 DOBWALLS

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, WEST DIVISION

SATURDAY 21^ST OCTOBER 2017, AT TRUNGLE PARC

Match Programme vs Dobwalls

 Only two West Division fixtures went ahead on Saturday – the other being on Plymouth Marjon’s artificial surface – and in Mousehole’s case the investment in a new drainage and pitch resurfacing scheme over the summer months paid immediate dividends in enabling the club to host its first home League game of the season after playing the first 9 matches away from home.

Despite the atrocious weather conditions, the match was never in doubt, with the new pitch easily coping with the heavy overnight rain and the torrential downpour that beset the second half.

The high wind blowing diagonally across the ground made accurate passing and ball control difficult, but Mousehole adapted much the better to the conditions and swept into a 3-0 lead just after the half-hour mark.

In the 10^th minute, Tyler Tonkin’s long pass down the right-hand touchline put Luke Johnson in behind his marker, and the low cross was met by Caleb Marsden arriving on the far side of the six-yard box to side-foot home.

It was 2-0 after 25 minutes, as Matt McIlroy created the space on the edge of the box for a left-foot drive that squirmed under goalkeeper Jack Horsewell’s body.

Tyler Tonkin then scored the proverbial ‘scorcher’ in the 32^nd minute when his rising drive from the right-side of the area arrowed into the far top corner.

Two minutes before half-time Dobwalls pulled a goal back against the run of play when Billy Curtis’ slip on the wet surface allowed Bentley Alacantra to run on and fire home.

The second half was a different story, with Dobwalls on the front foot in the hope of getting back in the game, but apart from two great saves from Steve Parker-Billinge in the opening and closing minutes – one a close-range block and the other a tip-over from a long-range shot – the weather was the winner, disrupting the pattern of play while at the same time testing the resilience of the players.

The alert Luke Johnson finally put paid to any prospect of a Dobwalls comeback in the last minute when he intercepted a pass deep in the visitors’ defence and slid the ball past the exposed Horsewell.

This was Mousehole’s fourth win in the last five matches, after two league wins away at Bude and Wadebridge followed by the home upset against Camelford in the League Cup, and Saturday’s three points lifts The Seagulls three places to 14^th place, with 15 home and 7 away games to come.

The next two away League games are both on the far side of Plymouth, firstly at 15^th-place Plymstock United this Saturday (28^th) and then at 6^th-place Elburton Villa on 18^th November.  There then follows an amazing sequence of 11 home League games stretching until 17^th February, during which The Seagulls will be expecting to pick up the necessary points to climb the table after a challenging start to the season.

In the meantime, Mousehole’s next match at Trungle Parc is an intriguing local derby with high-flying Ludgvan in the first round of the Cornwall Charity Cup on Saturday 4^th November, kick off 2.30pm.

Mousehole:  Steve Parker-Billinge, Tyler Tonkin, Max Hill, Billy Curtis (captain), Liam Andrew, Kevin Lawrence, Connor Davey, Jordan Adlard, Luke Johnson, Matt McIlroy, Caleb Marsden.  Substitutes:  Byron Wood (for Tyler Tonkin, 53), Jake Andrew (for Matt McIlroy, 64), Danny Park (for Connor Davey, 71).

Scorers:  Mousehole – Caleb Marsden (10), Matt McIlroy (25), Tyler Tonkin (32), Luke Johnson (90).  Dobwalls – Bentley Alacantra (43)

Referee:  Charlie Philpott

MOUSEHOLE RESERVES 4-1 MAWNAN RESERVES

TRELAWNY LEAGUE, DIVISION 1

SATURDAY 21^ST OCTOBER 2017, AT MARAZION

Mousehole put in a superb all-round squad performance which was duly rewarded with a well-deserved victory and the three points to maintain their position at the top of the Division 1 table.

Full credit is due to both teams in trying to play football in a competitive but respectful manner in extremely difficult conditions.  ‘Storm Brian’ was a major influence during the 90 minutes, the gusting and swirling wind making ball control almost impossible at times.

After winning the toss, Mousehole opted to play into the wind.  On 7 minutes, and after a Mawnan attack, the ball was won in midfield, Nathan Goodspeed found a gap in the Mawnan defence, where Chris Bullock capitalised, latching on to the pass and putting The Seagulls into the lead.

Mawnan equalised soon afterwards, when a wind-assisted free kick from just inside the Mousehole half and close to the touchline sailed straight in for 1-1.

Back came the hosts, and Harry Tonkins’ free kick from midway in the Mawnan half was slotted into the back of the net by Michael Fitchett to restore the lead at 2-1 with 15 minutes gone.

Mousehole should have scored another couple of goals in the first half, but a combination of Mawnan’s good goalkeeping and good luck kept the score to 2-1 at the interval.

With the wind behind their backs, The Seagulls started to dominate the second half with some excellent defensive and mid-field work, but several opportunities to increase the lead failed to materialise.

Mawnan produced some good attacking play and came close to a goal of their own.  But as the game progressed, with the wind increasing in strength and accompanied by some heavy rain, it was Mousehole who took control.  Firstly, Jason Simmonds had a cracking shot rebound from the upright, and then, after a great team move, a high ball in the Mawnan penalty box was controlled and volleyed in by Jamie Simons for 3-1 on 71 minutes.  Finally, to cap a great performance in horrendous conditions, Tom Patrick had a fantastic run in from the left-hand side, beating several defenders to score the fourth with 88 minutes gone.

A huge vote of thanks is due to those responsible for preparing the pitch, which looked good and played well, and to the Marazion committee for providing the hospitality for both teams and for manning the tea-hut.

Mousehole squad:  Adam Robathan, Jamie Robinson, Joe Davies (captain), Lee Robinson, Tom McGarry, Harry Tonkin, Jason Simmonds, Nathan Goodspeed, Michael Fitchett, Christopher Bullock, Tom Patrick, Louis Main, Jamie Simons, Liam Collinson, Ben Chapman

Referee:  Paul Birch

Mousehole Reserves’ next fixture is at home against Helston Athletic 3rds in the Junior Cup this Saturday (28^th), kick off 2pm.

This Saturday (21^st October) The Seagulls play their first home League fixture of the season in the South West Peninsula League Division 1 West, against Dobwalls (3pm).

Mousehole are second-bottom of the 17-team West Division table, having played all 9 of their League fixtures away – with 2 wins (at Bude and Wadebridge), 2 draws (at St Dennis and Porthleven) and 5 defeats (at Millbrook, Wendron, Liskeard, Plymouth Marjon and Holsworthy), scoring 17 goals and conceding 29.

Dobwalls have played 10 league games, winning 4 and losing 6, with a similar goals record to Mousehole and an identical minus-12 goal difference, and stand 4 places and 4 points above The Seagulls.  Their away form (3 wins, at Bude 2-1, Holsworthy 2-1 and Elburton 4-1) is better than their home form (defeats 2-1 to Millbrook, 8-1 to Wadebridge, 4-3 to Ludgvan and last Saturday 4-0 to St Blazey).

Dobwalls changed managers earlier this season, with Craig Holman replaced by Simon Westlake and Ben Washam, who were Kevin Richards’ assistants at Premier Division Godolphin Atlantic until recently, and previously at fellow West Division club Plymstock United.

Mousehole will approach the game with some confidence after securing three wins in the last four games, including the noteworthy 1-0 ‘upset’ against higher-league Camelford last Saturday in the League Cup (that victory earning The Seagulls a third-round tie at home against another Premier Division side, top-6 Launceston, on 30^th December).

In the meantime, Dobwalls’ away form will provide a stern test on Saturday – they won at Trungle Parc in April after a draw at Lantoom Park earlier – and Mousehole will have to be at their best if they are to start accumulating League points and take advantage of the start of the long run of home games lying ahead.

 

 

 

 

 

MOUSEHOLE 1-0 CAMELFORD

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

SECOND ROUND TIE

SATURDAY 14^TH OCTOBER 2017, AT TRUNGLE PARC

Mousehole pulled off the major upset of the second round of the League Cup on Saturday, beating higher-division opponents Camelford 1-0 in their first competitive fixture at the re-furbished Trungle Parc after playing their first ten matches away from home – and in so doing achieved their first ‘clean sheet’ of the season.

This was The Seagulls’ third win in four games after league victories at Bude Town and Wadebridge Town, and after an earlier against-the-odds 3-2 win at table-topping Ludgvan in the first round they now eagerly await a third round tie on New Year’s Day (with the draw to be made this week).

Both teams had players missing from their regular match-day squads.  Mousehole were without the unavailable Bradley Wills and top scorer Jorome Slew, but Liam Andrew was fit after a broken nose suffered in the recent Leeds United ‘warm up’, Tyler Tonkin retained an unaccustomed right back position for the second match, recent signing ex-Helston Athletic defensive midfielder Jordan Adlard made his second start, and Connor Davey was available to return to the line-up.

Camelford fielded a team comprising several players who represent Cornwall Under-18s, including influential midfielder and County captain Charlie Hambly.

Each side had recorded two league wins, two draws and five defeats, and in keeping with the form guide the game was closely contested on the day between two evenly matched teams.

Mousehole started the game on the front foot, with Liam Andrew, Jordan Adlard and Matt McIlroy all coming close to opening the scoring within the first 15 minutes, but the visitors came back into the game, putting two presentable chances over and then being denied on 38 minutes by goalkeeper Steve Parker-Billinge’s spectacular diving save from a curling free kick from 25 yards.

The second half resumed with attacking play by both sides, Caleb Marsden firing wide for The Seagulls after a break from halfway on 49 minutes, captain Billy Curtis acrobatically clearing a goalbound header off the line under pressure at the other end after 55, and The Camels’ excellent young goalkeeper Luke Gwillam making a superb save to keep out Luke Johnson’s fierce drive on 62.

The breakthrough came in Mousehole’s favour after 70 minutes when Luke Johnson made another driving run past two defenders down the right and his square pass was calmly side-footed in from 15 yards by Matt McIlroy.

To their credit the visitors responded in great style, and an eventful five minute spell saw a decisive point in the match when Steve Parker-Billinge produced a magnificent point-blank double-save to prevent a certain equaliser, followed by more close calls as a shot just went past the post and the alert Max Hill then blocked a possible chance.

Having weathered the storm with resolute defending, the hosts wasted chances to seal victory with a couple of fast breaks, and Matt McIlroy was then thwarted by Gwillam before hitting the post with a 20-yard free kick.  But it was the Premier Division side who almost took the game into a further half hour of extra time when a header across goal trickled narrowly wide on 85 minutes, and in the final act of a fascinating match a difficult close-range chance was scooped over the bar deep into added-on time.

Manager Kevin Richards has now won his first two matches since taking over as Mousehole’s first team boss and along with Academy Director Jason Blunt will be looking with confidence to take the side’s recent form and new-found resilience into the next run of fixtures.  This Saturday (21^st) Mousehole play their first League match of the season at Trungle Parc when Dobwalls are the visitors (3pm).

Mousehole:  Steve Parker-Billinge, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Max Hill, Liam Andrew, Jordan Adlard, Kevin Lawrence, Connor Davey, Luke Johnson, Matt McIlroy, Caleb Marsden

Substitutes:  Josh Otto (for Caleb Marsden, 50), Danny Park, Yeshi Briar, Joshua Storey

Scorer:  Matt McIlroy (70)

Referee:  Mike Glanville

Attendance:  68

The Seagulls play their first competitive fixture of the season at the new-look Trungle Parc this Saturday (14^th) when they will be hoping to do a ‘giant-killing’ against Premier Division Camelford in an intriguing League Cup 2^nd Round tie (kick-off 2.30pm, with extra time and penalties if necessary).

Mousehole won through to this stage of the Cup with a stirring 3-2  ‘local derby’ win a month ago at unbeaten Division leaders Ludgvan, and pulled off an against-the-odds triumph in the League at another title favourite Wadebridge by 3-1 in their last match ten days ago.  Camelford meanwhile won 4-2 at Wendron in the 1^st Round.

By a strange coincidence, Mousehole and Camelford have almost identical playing records so far this season.  Both clubs have played 9 league games, with 2 wins, 2 draws and 5 defeats, and are fourth from bottom of their respective leagues.  In their favour, The Seagulls’ nine fixtures have all been played away after pitch renovation work during the summer, scoring 17 goals and conceding 29, while The Camels’ record is 11 against 27.  Both teams are likely to field several youngsters who feature in the impressive Cornwall Under-18s squad.

But there are hugely contrasting records on the managerial front, with Mousehole’s recently-appointed First team boss Kevin Richards in the dugout for only his second game, while the visitors’ manager Reg Hambly has been in charge of Camelford for 26 years!

The club reports that the Trungle Parc pitch has stood up very well to the six hours of football played for the first time on the new surface when Leeds United’s youngsters and veterans visited for a celebration day on a wet Sunday 1^st October, and many positive comments were received from among the large 600-strong crowd about the refurbished facilities.

Next Saturday (21^st) Mousehole play their first home League game of the season when Dobwalls are the visitors (3pm).

WADEBRIDGE TOWN 1-3 MOUSEHOLE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

TUESDAY 3^RD OCTOBER 2017

AT BODIEVE PARK

In the last of their nine consecutive away matches – being played while the Trungle Parc pitch gets ready for home matches after major drainage and re-surfacing work during the summer – Mousehole put in their best 90-minute performance of the season to make it the best possible start for newly-appointed manager Kevin Richards working alongside Football Director Jason Blunt.

The Seagulls came into the match with one win, two draws and five defeats, placing them in second-bottom position in the league.  Wadebridge had opened the season with three straight wins, scoring 19 against 2, to go top of the table, but had slipped to fifth place with only one win and a draw in the following five matches.

Mousehole were without the unavailable Jorome Slew, Yeshi Briar, Matt Moody, Josh Otto, Joshua Storey and Paolo Sousa, and the injured Liam Andrew.  But young Ben Fewkes was promoted from the Reserves at left-back, Jordan Adlard started in midfield after his recent transfer from Helston Athletic, and Caleb Marsden took up the left wing-back role, with all three making a strong contribution to the all-round team effort.

After a goal-less but evenly contested first half with missed chances at both ends, Caleb Marsden was put through on goal seconds after the re-start by Matt McIlroy’s pass from inside the centre circle and he stroked The Seagulls’ into the lead past the onrushing ‘keeper.

The visitors were then indebted to goalkeeper Steve Parker-Billinge – returning to the line-up after a six-week injury-enforced absence – who kept his team in the match with three outstanding saves in a 12 minute spell as The Bridgers tried to force their way back into the game after the hour mark.

But with captain Billy Curtis, Max Hill and Tyler Tonkin – playing in an unaccustomed right-back position – resolute and reliable in the back line, and Bradley Wills and Jordan Adlard adding steel in midfield to complement Kevin Lawrence’s creativity, Mousehole regained the initiative and in a dazzling display of forward power scored two almost identical goals in the 78^th and 87^th minutes.

Kevin Lawrence released Luke Johnson for a typical surging run down the right past his opponent and his low cross from the bye-line was sidefooted in at the far post by the alert Bradley Wills for 2-0.  Nine minutes later Johnson again powered his way forward to produce a strong chest-high cross which was volleyed in superbly by Wills.

The only blemish on an otherwise hugely encouraging night was a home goal deep into injury time that denied SPB the clean sheet he deserved.

If league position were the only guide, Mousehole had defied the odds, but this was a performance of intelligence and commitment that has been ‘in the making’ for some weeks.  The Seagulls’ squad, coaching staff and supporters can now look forward to the ‘homecoming’ to Trungle Parc in a positive frame of mind, as there now remain only 7 league games away, but 16 at home (including an amazing 11 in a row between 25^th November and 17^th February).

The first home league game of the season is on 21^st October with Dobwalls the visitors (3pm), but before that comes the fascinating League Cup 2^nd round tie at home against Premier Division Camelford on Saturday 14^th October (2.30pm kick off, with extra time and penalties if necessary).  Mousehole earned this tie with a stirring 3-2 first round away win at Ludgvan three weeks ago, whereas Camelford progressed with a 4-2 victory at Wendron United.

Mousehole’s First team have a blank weekend coming up (7^th October) with a bye in the Cornwall Senior Cup, but all other teams’ fixtures are on the club’s online ‘monthly planner’.

Mousehole at Wadebridge:  Steve Parker-Billinge (GK), Tyler Tonkin, Max Hill, Billy Curtis (captain), Ben Fewkes, Kevin Lawrence, Bradley Wills, Jordan Adlard, Luke Johnson, Matt McIlroy, Caleb Marsden. 

Substitues:  Joe Davies (for Ben Fewkes, 71), Danny Park (for Caleb Marsden, 90), Jason Simmonds (for Jordan Adlard, 90+1), Louis Graham, Paul Williams (GK)

Mousehole scorers:  Caleb Marsden (46) Bradley Wills (78, 87)

 

Referee:  Matthew Carney