Mousehole 5-0 St Blazey

Pre-Season Friendly at Trungle Parc

Scorers: Callam Mconie (32), Hayden Turner (34), Tallan Mitchell (40), Tallan Mitchell (59), Sean Roberts (89)

Mousehole, recently promoted to the Western League, hosted their former South West Peninsula rivals in an entertaining encounter full of interest and endeavour, with 80 spectators at an immaculate Trungle Parc watching their first live football since last December.

Manager Jake Ash’s squad included mostly familiar faces, with two recent arrivals in winger Callam Mconie signed from Newquay and left-sided wing-back Kyle Fraser from Porthleven, together with Ethan Elwell goalkeeping understudy, but striker Mark Goldsworthy was absent through illness.

St Blazey, with a new management team under experienced manager Phil Lafferty and a re-shaped side containing some well-known names, are widely tipped to do well and challenge for the single promotion place available this season.

The game was uneventful for the first half hour, with plenty of tough tackling, but burst into life with three goals in eight minutes.

Mousehole took the lead when Callam Mconie swerved a left-footed free kick from 25 yards low inside the near post on 32 minutes, and then two minutes later Tallan Mitchell led a high press to present Hayden Turner with a goal from an angled shot for 2-0.  The same pair combined in a neat one-two on the edge of the box for Tallan Mitchell to side foot low into the far corner on 40 minutes.  At the other end Cory Harvey made a good low save from a 10-yard drive and Neil Slateford just missed the far angle for the visitors before the interval.

Just before the hour, Tallan Mitchell exploited the space 30 yards out to score his second goal with a low shot inside the post, but the visitors then came back into the game with some promising attacks and a couple of missed half-chances.  Right at the end, Sean Roberts marked his comeback after a lengthy injury lay-off when he completed the scoring with a header following a fine left-sided break engineered by Jamie Devine.

Mousehole starting line-up:  Cory Harvey, Billy Curtis, Mark Richards, Josh Otto, Kyle Fraser, Steve Burt, Tallan Mitchell, Andy Elcock, Callam Mconie, Hayden Turner, Josh Magin.

Substitutes used:  Sean Roberts, Jamie Devine, Ethan Elwell (GK), Jude Boyd, Charlie Willis, Silas Sullivan

Next up in the pre-season schedule is the visit to Trungle Parc of Jason Blunt’s i2i Academy on Friday evening (9^th July) with a 7pm kick off.

Mousehole have started their pre-season business with the signing of Kyle Fraser from Porthleven.

The 26-year old can operate as a left-sided defender or attacker, and adds versatility to manager Jake Ash’s squad as they prepare for their step up to a historic first-ever season in the Western League Premier.

The Helston-based youngster started his footballing education as a goal-scoring winger with Plymouth Argyle Academy. He later completed a mathematics degree at Quincy University, Illinois, USA, where his soccer skills won much acclaim and several honours. He’s currently putting his maths talents to good use as a trainee accountant.

Representing Cornwall at Under-18s level, Fraser drew this praise from Mousehole’s manager Jake Ash:

“He’s been on our radar for a while as another young, fit, hungry and ambitious player. I worked with Kyle in the West Cornwall District set-up and was always struck by his ability and attitude.

He has attracted lots of interest from other clubs but has always stayed loyal to Porthleven, and I like that. That said, when I spoke to him I was so impressed with his desire to be the best he can be and push on among our staff and players.

I should add a big thanks to Graham Blake at Porthleven – he didn’t want to lose Kyle but showed real class in allowing Kyle to train with us during April and May. “

Deryk Heywood, Mousehole’s Chairman, remembers Kyle Fraser well from his previous time as Chairman of Porthleven: “Kyle is a great competitor and has bags of natural enthusiasm, a perfect role model for The Seagulls. I’m confident he will step up to the challenge of playing at the higher level and give Jake great support”.

The Seagulls’ squad was boosted earlier in the year, with winger Callam Mconie switching from Newquay but not having the opportunity to make his debut because of the curtailment of the season. Top marksman Mark Goldsworthy had joined the club before Christmas but was able to play only two games for the same reason – with Jake Ash commenting: “Goldie still feels like a new signing, so I’m really pleased with the three we have already brought in as we look forward to next season. We are still targeting two more players to add to the existing squad, all of whom deserve their chance to play at the higher level”

In one of the most significant site improvements in their near-hundred year history, Mousehole AFC are to construct a new access road to their HQ at Trungle Parc.  It will replace the current route through Paul village and avoid the rough-surfaced driveway which has been in use since the 1960s.

The new 100-metre route will run directly to the club car park from the B3315 Penzance/Newlyn to Lands End road, just north of the hamlet of Sheffield.

The ambitious project, which has been granted full planning approval, will also involve an archaeological investigation of the access route, a significant tree-planting programme in collaboration with the Woodland Trust, and improved car parking at the ground. 

Drawn up in partnership with the adjacent landowner, the plans include the construction of an agricultural building for his forestry and traditional willow-weaving enterprise, with the access site being gifted in exchange for a club scarf.

A fundraising campaign will shortly be launched to help finance the road-building costs, and the club hopes to complete the work in time to celebrate their centenary year in 2022.

Mousehole’s chairman Deryk Heywood has spearheaded the commitment to the new road, with a massive number of hours of work and dozens of site meetings, in order to bring the project to reality.

The Chairman is rightly enthusiastic about what it means for Mousehole AFC:

“A new access road has been talked about for the last 20 years, but it’s taken the last two years of seriously relentless work to get it over the line.”

“This is the latest in a series of continuous developments to bring the club up to a higher standard for everyone – and it’s one of the most important.  It’s a momentous step forward, coinciding with the recent news of promotion to the Western League Premier for 2021/22, and the club’s forthcoming centenary in 2022.” 

“The new road will make Trungle Parc easier to find and quicker to reach, and it will certainly provide a smoother ride than our ‘famous’ pot-holed driveway – especially now we have a three-fold increase in attendances at our home matches.”

“People driving to the football or to the adjacent camping site will no longer need to take the route through Paul: this can only be of benefit to those who live in the village.”

“We’re delighted that the Council commended several advantages of the scheme – including the reduction in traffic on the narrow lane through Paul village past local residents’ houses, and the club’s support for a traditional rural craft next door to the football ground.”

“I must pay tribute to a number of people whose interest and generosity helped make it all happen:

• Paul Seaton, local landowner and partner in the project;
• Laurence Associates, our planning agent and main club sponsor;
• John Pearson, local resident and club supporter, with his expertise on highways; and
• Celtic Turf for their donation of hardcore for the road foundations.”

“I would urge everyone to look out for details of our fundraising campaign which we’ll be announcing shortly.”

Mousehole AFC, who yesterday received FA confirmation of their promotion to the Western League Premier for the 2021/22 season, wish to pay tribute publicly to the work of the SWPL, which they joined as founder members in 2007.

Mousehole’s Chairman Deryk Heywood is full of praise for the SWPL and Secretary Phil Hiscox:

“My personal knowledge of League Secretary Phil Hiscox goes back a long way. He worked really hard to set up the SWPL in the first place.  

Since then, he’s been a real figurehead.  Not just a football man, but also a person you can trust to be available to respond to queries, offer advice in a knowledgeable and authoritative manner, and deal with issues in an even-handed way.  

Phil is superbly efficient and considerate at organising fixtures –  an unenviable job particularly during our often erratic winter weather.

We at Mousehole are particularly appreciative of Phil’s guidance and support during these last few weeks, as our “will-we?/won’t-we?” promotion prospects hung in the balance.

We regard the upward movement of five clubs as a positive reflection of the SWPL, with the League acting as a springboard and helping to fulfil the true purpose of the football pyramid.

We leave with our sincere thanks and fond memories, and wish “all the best” to the League and all its member clubs.”

Phil will probably be glad to see the back of me, as I’ve been pestering him on all sorts of things for years!”

Cornish youngster Jude Boyd is set to leave Mousehole AFC after being awarded a football scholarship at San Jose University in California.

The Redruth-based 19-year old joined Mousehole in June 2020 after being released by Plymouth Argyle, and featured as an attacking winger in 15 of The Seagulls’ 16 first-team fixtures in the recently curtailed 2020/21 season.  

Speaking of his new opportunity, Boyd commented: 

“Although I’m obviously excited about America, I am really sad my time at Mousehole has come to an end.  I can’t thank the staff and club enough as I honestly couldn’t have had a better experience at any other club.  It has been amazing and I will be watching and supporting the boys from afar next season, and I know they are going to kick on again.”

Mousehole manager Jake Ash, who coached Jude Boyd for West Cornwall Schools under-14 and under-15 squads, was full of praise for the youngster:“He’s always had an abundance of natural skill, but he’s really developed his all-round game in senior football during his time with us.  He’s done everything we’ve asked of him and has fitted so well into our style and mentality as a group.  I am immensely fond of him, on and off the pitch, and I can’t wait to follow his journey in America.”

Mousehole have started early preparations for the 2021/22 season by capturing winger Callam Mconie from Newquay. 

The 23-year old is described as an exciting left-footer who was previously a team-mate of current Seagulls’ top scorer Hayden Turner, and the two were also fellow sports science students at Hartpury University. 

Mconie has also played at a higher level, having been on the books of Gloucestershire club Cinderford Town (Southern League, step 4) and Hereford club Westfields (Hellenic League, step 5). Mousehole’s Director of Football Adam Fletcher commented: “We’ve been tracking him for quite a while and every time we’ve seen him play he’s made a big impression and impact.  When he came on as a second-half substitute for Newquay in our win there last year he very nearly turned the game round for them.  He’s clearly a skilful, positive-thinking and forward-running player who will make a big contribution to our continuing progress.”

Penzance 1-1 Mousehole

South West Peninsula League

Boxing Day 26^th December 2020

At Penlee Park

Scorers:  For Penzance, Tyler Buckley (59).  For Mousehole, Hayden Turner (70, pen)

Attendance: 258

Form-book and League position counted for little as a table-topping Mousehole were matched by a spirited Penzance in an exciting encounter, with both sides coming close to claiming all three points in front of a large crowd kept on the edge of their seats for much of the game.

Preview:

• Mousehole have won eight of their last nine games, scoring 27 goals and conceding just four, to occupy first place in the League, two points ahead of Saltash United but with a superior goal difference
• For Penzance, this is only their third home game of the season because of issues with their clubhouse, but they have won three away to lie in 17^th place
• Mousehole are without Paulo Sousa, Kieran Toland and Amara Bakayoko, all unavailable, so this will be a good test of the strength-in-depth of their squad.  Max Gilbert, Jamie Devine and recent signing Mark Goldsworthy are in the starting line-up
• Penzance include experienced former Mousehole players Mark Vercesi at centre back, Kevin Lawrence in midfield and Mikey Flores in goal, who will all be keen to make an impact today, and they are complemented by half a dozen youngsters eager to shine against the League leaders
• The pitch is soggy and although perfectly playable it remains to be seen to what extent it will work against Mousehole’s playing style, particularly as it cuts up in the later stages of the game – though of course it’s the same playing surface for both sides!  There’s a big crowd inside Penlee Park and it’s drizzling.

As it happened:

8 minutes:  Max Gilbert gets down the Penzance right and puts in a dangerous cross, well dealt with by the home defence

10 minutes:  Mousehole attack again, with Tallan Mitchell latching on to a Penzance clearance to send in a low shot which Mikey Flores keeps out at full stretch

11 minutes: Josh Magin moves inside and fires a left-footer wide of Flores’ far post from 18 yards

15 minutes: Two chances for The Seagulls in quick succession, as Hayden Turner’s header from Billy Curtis’cross is cleared off the line by youngster James Swan, then Mark Goldsworthy plants a six-yard header straight at Flores

16 minutes:  It’s Penzance’s turn to threaten.  Kevin Lawrence launches a 35-yard free-kick towards the far post, Mark Vercesi heads the ball back inside and Andreas Steyne puts an overhead kick too high from 12 yards

17 minutes:  A replica move – this time Cory Harvey in The Seagulls’ goal punches clear as Vercesi again is the target man

19 minutes:  Once more – Lawrence floats in a free kick from the right-hand side of the penalty area and Vercesi’s header is hacked away from in front of goal

20 minutes gone and Penzance are right back in this game, denying Mousehole space in the final third and harrying their opponents into mistakes on a pitch that is already cutting up

22 minutes:  At the other end Tallan Mitchell creates a chance for Josh Magin with a back-heel but the shot from 18 yards is straight at Flores

25 minutes:  A clear chance for Mousehole – Mark Goldsworthy gets free from his marker on the right hand side of the box and his cross in front of goal is sliced wide by Tallan Mitchell from six yards

30 minutes:  The vocal Penzance support is loudly encouraging every Magpies tackle as the home side have stepped up a gear

31 minutes:  Penzance’s Jacob Cleverly sends in a strong cross-shot but Cory Harvey does well to collect on the treacherous surface

33 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell makes a slalom-type run over the skiddy surface and is fouled 20 yards out.  Max Gilbert whips in the free kick past the defensive wall but the alert Flores pushes the ball out for a corner

36 minutes:  The Seagulls at long last put together a trademark quick-passing move that out-foxes the Penzance defensive formation, but Tallan Mitchell’s shot from 20 yards zips wide

40 minutes:  Back come The Magpies, forcing yet another free-kick deep in Mousehole territory, but this time the danger is comfortably cleared

45+1:  Half-time – it’s 0-0, but with lots of end-to-end and goalmouth action.  Great credit to Penzance for their energy and determination, but will they be able to maintain this level in the second half, or will Mousehole make the most of their own qualities and fitness?

46 minutes:  Mousehole start the second half on the offensive, with Josh Magin manoeuvring into position on the edge of the box, forcing Mikey Flores to spread himself in front of the low goal-bound shot

50 minutes:  Flores again to the rescue for The Magpies, springing across to divert Billy Curtis’ left-footer from 18 yards

54 minutes: Mark Goldsworthy almost nicks a goal for Mousehole with a deft back-heel volley at the near post from Hayden Turner’s corner, but the ball clears the bar

56 minutes:  Max Gilbert looks certain to score for The Seagulls as he lets fly from just inside the box with the home defence for once in disarray, but Mark Vercesi puts his body in the way of the shot

58 minutes:  After surviving four close scares since half-time, Penzance benefit from another free-kick in the Mousehole half.  Kevin Lawrence delivers the customary lofted free kick to the far post, where Mark Vercesi gets ahead of Cory Harvey’s punch to head goalwards, but the ball is scrambled off the line for a corner.  Up come the Magpies’ defenders.

59 minutes:  GOAL FOR PENZANCE!  It’s the aerial menace again!  Kevin Lawrence places the corner kick into a congested six-yard box, the heads go up and the ball creeps over the line, with young centre-back TYLER BUCKLEY getting the all-important touch.  Ecstatic celebrations on and off the pitch.  Cory Harvey protests he was impeded, referee Simon Long disagrees.

62 minutes:  Mousehole substitutes – Andy Elcock for Steve Burt in midfield, and Jude Boyd for Max Gilbert, enabling Hayden Turner to move inside from a left-wing position

63 minutes:  Penzance’s Lewis Goldsworthy tries a shot, Cory Harvey makes the save look comfortable

65 minutes:  Disallowed goal for Penzance!  Lewis Goldsworthy makes a superb run past several defenders to release Jacob Cleverly for a low shot into the net, but he’s strayed fractionally offside. Fine margins!

67 minutes:  Mousehole looking to profit from that let-off.  Hayden Turner’s free kick on the right side of the box is cleared away, Jude Boyd retrieves the ball on the other side to create a near-post chance for Mark Goldsworthy but Flores again gets in the way

69 minutes:  A double save from Mikey Flores, first blocking Josh Magin’s shot, then Jude Boyd’s

70 minutes:  PENALTY!  Tallan Mitchell slides a cute pass through to put Mark Goldsworthy in one-on-one with Flores, who clatters into the striker.  There’s a two-minute delay while The Seagulls’ newest recruit is treated for a painful injury.

72 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  HAYDEN TURNER drives the penalty hard and low into the corner – anything less would have been a problem, as Flores dived the right way and very nearly got his fingertips to it.

As the equaliser is celebrated, the rain stops and the sun comes out!  Is this a sign?  A very interesting 20 minutes to come!

75 minutes:  Penzance heads have certainly not dropped:  loud appeals for a penalty as Kevin Lawrence is tackled as he dwells on the ball inside the Mousehole penalty area.  Referee waves play on. The sun has gone in again and it’s raining – so it wasn’t a sign!

75 minutes:  Mousehole’s third substitute:  Jamie Devine is replaced by Jonny Ludlam on the left in defence, as Lewis Goldsworthy has developed an appetite for direct running on Penzance’s right.

76 minutes:  Jude Boyd shoots, Mikey Flores parries

80 minutes:  Mousehole are seeing much more of the ball , but Penzance are resilient and still attack-minded

83 minutes:  Close for Mousehole twice  – Jonny Ludlam puts an inviting cross into the six-yard area but it’s just beyond the lurking Mark Goldsworthy.  Hayden Turner picks up the ball and crosses to the far post but it’s inches to high for Mark Richards, who’s up from the back looking for a winner

84 minutes:  The other Goldsworthy makes another close-control run into the heart of the Mousehole defence and looks likely to pull the trigger, but Jonny Ludlam snuffs out the danger with a well-timed tackle, prompting yet more big shouts for a penalty ignored by the referee

86 minutes:  Controversial incident!  Hayden Turner collects a loose ball after a coming-together on the Penzance 18-yard line and, with referee Simon Long indicating ‘advantage’, hammers a 15-yard right-footer past Flores for what looks like a winner.   However, Neil Stephens’ flag is raised and the referee cuts short the goal celebrations by bringing the play back for a Mousehole free-kick. 

87 minutes:  Jonny Ludlam scuffs the free kick through the defensive wall, where Josh Magin turns to shoot and the ball is cleared off the line

90+4 minutes:  Hayden Turner tries an angled drive but that man Flores blocks it at the near post

90+5 minutes:  Incredible drama – Flores slips as he clears from the edge of his area, Tallan Mitchell partially loses his footing as he returns the ball towards the unguarded Penzance net from 35 yards out, and the shot slows down enough for the athletic Tyler Buckley to get back to clear away in front of goal for a corner

90+6 minutes: Hayden Turner swings the corner into the posse of players, it’s cleared off the line again, and the final whistle sounds.

Full time score: 1-1.  It could have gone either way.  All credit to both sides for providing the large Boxing Day crowd with nearly 100 minutes of action-packed football – great value for money.  With 36 attempts on goal in total, it’s amazing only two goals were scored!

What it means:

• The point enables Mousehole to stay on top of the League table on goal difference from Saltash United (who won later on Boxing Day).  With Bank Holiday Monday’s home fixture postponed because of Falmouth Town’s involvement in the FA Vase, the next action is on Saturday 9^th January when Dobwalls are the visitors to Trungle Parc.  Before then it’s the Cornwall Senior Cup Third Round tie at home next Saturday, 2^nd January (2pm) against Perranwell, who play in the league below.
• Penzance will justifiably take heart from this performance, which will be a big confidence-booster especially for their young players.  They face another big challenge on Bank Holiday Monday (28^th) with an away trip to Helston Athletic. (update: now postponed)

Mousehole team-sheet:  Cory Harvey, Billy Curtis (captain), Mark Richards, Josh Otto, Jamie Devine*, Steve Burt*, Max Gilbert*, Tallan Mitchell, Josh Magin, Mark Goldsworthy, Hayden Turner

*Substituted players:  Steve Burt (by Andy Elcock, 62), Max Gilbert (by Jude Boyd, 62), Jamie Devine (by Jonny Ludlam, 75) Other substitutes: Charlie Willis, Silas Sullivan