Bristol Manor Farm 0 – 2 Mousehole

For the third time this season Mousehole lined up against Bristol Manor Farm. Honours were even over two games at Trungle Parc with the Seagulls winning the league tussle three nil and the Farm triumphing in the FA Trophy by two goals to nil. Much has happened since the league meeting at the start of November, including the ground now being called Interiora Parc, and the travelling fans knew that a win here would see Mousehole firmly in the play-off places.

We’ve hit the part of the season where most pitches are flattened mud with the odd blade of grass so once again it promised not to be a footballing fest. Mousehole have become used to adapting their style for less grassy pitches but had not won away at a top ten side for a long while and the opening exchanges were pretty even. Neither side had created a clear-cut opening before Mousehole took the lead after twenty one minutes.

It came from a slick move started by a short pass by James Ward to Ryan Barrett on the right. He curled a long pass deep into enemy territory for Hayden Turner to latch on to. Ending up wider than he probably wanted to he was faced up by the BMF left back. Turner took a touch, looked up and saw Oscar Massey arriving at pace in to the box. He drilled the ball to the mop-topped forward who cushioned it with his right instep whilst pirouetting away from a bamboozled defender. This opened up the path to goal with the keeper expecting a shot to his right but Massey doesn’t always do the expected and slammed it to the keeper’s left. One nil, and just about deserved.

Bristol created and spurned two chances before the interval. The first was a long-range effort pulled wide but the second was much closer. The referee saw a tussle between Medo Konté and one of their forwards near the edge of the box. It was hand bags at dawn with neither seemingly more aggressive than the other but the official saw fit to book our lanky left back and award a free kick to the home team about twenty-five yards out.

The wall looked good, Ollie looked ready, but a free kick of a quality out of keeping with much else that the home side had henceforth served up boomeranged round the wall and hit the inside of the post with Ollie looking nervous. It rebounded at pace away from the goal much to Mousehole’s defence’s relief.

One up at half time seemed just about right but the Seagulls knew that the second half would start with a barrage. A forward led from the wing by ex-Mouse Evander Grubb showed a bit of spirit as the half started but did not threaten Ollie’s goal with anything serious.

All the good chances were falling to the team in the white and green and when Tim Nixon hit the post it only seemed a matter of when not if the lead would be doubled. The second duly arrived ten minutes in to the half.

Jack Calver, from the left, played a long cross field pass to Ryan Barrett. He controlled it and played it through to Jack Symons running clear of a static defence. He took a small touch to take it out of his feet and shot but the Bristol keeper managed to get his body in the way. He wasn’t able hold onto the ball and it rebounded out to a loitering Massey just outside the box. One soft touch to bring it down was followed by a crashing shot into the roof of the net. The boy doesn’t score tap ins!

Two nil, game over. There were no scares to threaten the clean sheet, three in three games now, and the three points were in the bag. The final bit of action was the unfortunate sending off of Medo for a second bookable offence. In 1970 it might not have been a foul but Medo’s dad wasn’t even born then so sadly in 2025 his tackle which took the ball first followed by a follow through taking the man saw him take an early bath.

That was merely a side note to a great afternoon where three more points were won on the road.

Mousehole AFC are delighted to announce that Trungle Parc is being renamed Interiora Parc. The renaming is part of a new partnership deal we’ve entered into with local bathroom showroom Interiora.

A Newlyn-based business, run by Megan Dack, Interiora design and install beautiful bathrooms. They have been associated with The Seagulls for a few years already and this is a natural progression in strengthening that bond.

For the traditionalists you’ll still need to “Get ready to Trunnnnngggggllle” but now we want to hear you “InteriROARa!”

To learn more about the inspiring work that Megan and her team produce please visit interiora.co.uk

Megan Dack told us why she has entered into this exciting new collaboration.

“As I sit down to reflect on the journey of our company, Interiora, I can hardly believe we are celebrating our tenth anniversary. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of providing beautiful bathrooms and exquisite tiles to countless homes, helping our clients create spaces that bring them joy. However, as we reach this milestone, I feel a strong desire to give back to the community that has supported us throughout our journey.

This year, we’re excited to announce that Interiora has decided to sponsor the Mousehole AFC ground. The decision wasn’t difficult; it stems from a personal connection to the club. My son has recently developed a huge interest in football, and we’ve witnessed a remarkable transformation in his confidence since he joined the Mousehole Merlin U9’s youth team. The joy he feels on the pitch and the friendships he has formed are invaluable, and I can’t help but think about how important it is to support the club that has made such a positive impact on his life.

Sponsoring Mousehole AFC is not just about promoting our business; it’s about nurturing the community and encouraging young athletes to pursue their dreams. Who knows? One day, my son might don the colours of the men’s team. It’s a thought that fills me with pride and excitement. By supporting the club, we’re investing in the future of these young footballers, ensuring they have the resources and encouragement they need to succeed.

At Interiora, we believe in the power of community and the importance of fostering local talent. We’re thrilled to partner with Mousehole AFC, and I can’t wait to see how our support will help the club grow and thrive. Here’s to many more years of creating beautiful spaces and supporting the passions that bring us together!”

James Wards off Defeat!

Having won three in a row in the league the Seagulls flew up the A303 with a strong tail wind. They faced a Westbury team on a similarly good run but who hadn’t played since the first day of the year so predicting the result was not easy.

Mousehole started the stronger and took the lead after twenty two minutes. A slick move culminated in the ball being shifted out to Jordan Hackett on the left wing. He reached it just before it crossed the line and pulled it back straight to an onrushing Hayden Turner who smacked it home.

At the other end, whilst Westbury created a few half chances they never looked like drawing level. Until they did. Max Hill had taken a crack to the nose and with blood streaming down his face he had to leave the field. This coincided with Westbury winning a corner and Mousehole’s worst fears coming to pass. It was a great delivery and a great header but still a bitter pill to swallow.

Westbury would have felt lucky to be level at the break but that’s how tight things are at this level.

The second half opened with Turner clipping the post from a free kick and Hackett firing a good chance over the bar. It had become a case of next goal wins and the visitors seemed the most likely until totally against the run of play they conceded rather than scored.

Westbury had not looked dangerous at all but they capitalised on the only defensive error by the men in turquoise and one quick pass put them in on goal for a good finish.

Mousehole kept pushing forward in search of an equaliser but as the clock ticked past ninety it seemed probably to be a forlorn chase. The home fans were blowing imaginary whistles but the ref kept his actual one tucked in his back pocket.

With eight minutes extra already played Mousehole won a corner. Ollie Chenoweth sprinted up to join other six footers; Hill and Ward. Hayden Turner swung in the kick, a last hurrah. It sailed over the first man, kept going past the keeper and was a few yards past the back post when the granite forehead of James Ward arrived with a score to settle. The angle was against it, the gods of football seemed against but the Wardy forehead doesn’t care about those things. The ball flew back whence it had come and crossed the line. The celebrations were wild. Not a win but a point well won.