LISKEARD ATHLETIC 1-1 MOUSEHOLE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

SATURDAY 24^th NOVEMBER 2018, AT LUX PARK

 In an entertaining game and a superb advert for Cornish football at Step 7, a goal just two minutes from time enabled Liskeard to escape with a draw after Mousehole had looked to be heading for all three points to close the gap on the league leaders.

The Seagulls would have probably been satisfied in advance with this result, against a team who have won ten and drawn one of their eleven matches this season, but it is a measure of their progress and ambition that they came off at the end with a real sense of disappointment.

This competitive clash on a wet pitch was ably refereed by Marc Whaley, who turned a deaf ear to the frequent protests from the home players and bench, while booking two players for a series of midfield fouls, Steve Burt from Mousehole and Liskeard’s captain Jack Podmore.

Mousehole’s top scorer Gerens James was missing from the starting line-up through illness, and the hosts’ James Lorenz, the Division’s runaway leading 28-goal marksman, was withdrawn injured 15 minutes from time.

The games started at a fast pace with five clear openings created within the first eight minutes.  Paulo Sousa shot over in the first attack after a slip by Liskeard’s goalkeeper Jamie Blatchford and three minutes later squared the ball for Hamza Kaid who shot wide.  At the other end, Jarrad Woods drove over from range and then had the visitors’ keeper Dom Angove at full stretch with a swerving left-sided free kick, before James Lorenz again used his pace to put a great low cross in front of goal with no-one near enough to touch it in.

The excitement continued with Calum Elliot’s drive towards the top corner pushed out by Blatchford for a corner on 15 minutes, while Lorenz produced another darting run and dangerous low cross on 17.  Paulo Sousa drifted a 20-yard free kick just past the angle on 24 and Calum Elliot’s searching cross was sliced over his own crossbar by Dylan Peel in front of goal on 27.

The visitors lost centre back Mark Richards through injury on 33 minutes, with captain Billy Curtis moving into the centre of defence and Tyler Tonkin coming on at right back, a change which drew Lorenz in from the left side into the middle, where he proved to be less effective.  The Seagulls continued to gain the upper hand, with Hamza Kaid shooting wide twice on 38 and 43, and Kevin Nicholson curling wide in the last minute of the half after the hosts had failed to clear a corner.

Mousehole started the second half on the front foot and took a deserved lead in the 50^th minute.  Nicholson and Elliot cleverly exposed the right side of Liskeard’s defence with some sharp inter-passing, leaving Paulo Sousa to trick his way past two defenders to slot into the corner from 15 yards.

Midfielder Woods remained Liskeard’s most influential player, creating a chance on 56 minutes with a great cross and then setting up Lorenz to shoot wide from the edge of the box on 74.  In the meantime Billy Curtis’ firm header from Elliot’s corner beat the keeper but was cleared off the line by Sam Gilbert, as the pulsating action continued.

But the league leaders fought back with a counter-attack equaliser on 88 minutes, after Mousehole lost possession high up the pitch. The ball was quickly switched through midfield to Lyle Johnson 20 yards out and his lofted shot sailed high into the net to prompt jubilation both on and off the pitch.

It looked ominous for Mousehole two minutes later as substitute Tom Cleveland burst through one-on-one, but Dom Angove did extremely well to narrow the angle and dive on the goalbound shot.  But to their huge credit Mousehole came back and were mightily close to a winner of their own in added-on time when first Blatchford made a flying save to keep out Calum Elliot’s fierce drive from inside the box, and then Lorenzo Qerimi fired wide from 18 yards.

Despite dropping two points on home soil, Liskeard celebrated the result as if they had won, as they chalked up their 12^th league fixture without loss to leave them 11 points ahead of Mousehole having played one game more.

Mousehole are in local derby cup action this Saturday (1^st December) as they take on Penzance at Penlee Park in the first round of the Cornwall Charity Cup, kick off 2pm with extra time and penalties if necessary.  The Seagulls have lost only once in the last eight matches since the end of September, whereas The Magpies suffered a surprising 3-2 league defeat at lowly Bude Town on Saturday after gaining a highly creditable home draw 1-1 against Liskeard Athletic the week before.

Mousehole:  Dom Angove, Billy Curtis (captain), Ryan Andrew, Mark Richards, Kevin Nicholson, Steve Burt, Lorenzo Qerimi, Luke Hunter, Paulo Sousa, Hamza Kaid, Calum Elliot.

Substitutes:  Tyler Tonkin (for Mark Richards, 33), Tom Hands, Sam Shulberg, Paul Williams

Mousehole scorer:  Paulo Sousa, 50.

Referee: Marc Whaley.

 

 

 

 

 

Mousehole’s central defender Adel Gafaiti has been signed on a full-time professional contract by League Two club Yeovil Town.  Gafaiti, capped at Under-20 level by Algeria, spent four years at Norwich City before joining Glasgow Rangers, then went abroad to play in the Premier Division in Ukraine, before moving to west Cornwall earlier this season with the aim of re-launching his professional career in England.

Gafaiti’s decision to join Endorsed Academy and its partner club Mousehole AFC was based on the offer of daily top-class coaching and a growing network of contacts with pro clubs.  And it has worked out well, all round.  His consistently strong and elegant performances at Mousehole soon brought the inevitable interest from higher-league clubs, and at the same time the move illustrates how Mousehole AFC and Endorsed Academy can nurture and develop talent and provide the springboard for progression.

The French-born 24-year old spent a week at Yeovil, training with The Glovers’ first team squad and impressing throughout .  After his international clearance came through he went straight into Yeovil’s League Two starting line-up at Macclesfield last Saturday and earned positive reviews despite his team’s defeat.

With Yeovil Town’s proven track record of developing young players under Darren Way and his management team, Adel Gafaiti is in a great position to fulfil his ambition to re-build his promising career.  The Glovers’ boss, commenting on the club’s website, has high praise for his latest recruit:  “Adel is a whole-hearted and committed player with a hunger and desire to win.  He has impressed me from the moment he joined us at Huish Park and shares the values we hold within the squad.  I’m looking forward to working with Adel on a regular basis and am excited to see his continued development.”

Having moved seven steps up the football pyramid, Gafaiti looks back positively on his time at Mousehole, saying:  “I  can’t speak highly enough of Mousehole and the Endorsed programme for giving me with the perfect platform to get back into the pro game.  The club and programme are run as well as any pro club I’ve been involved with.  It’s also a great place to live, and everyone connected with the club is so positive, kind and supportive.”

Endorsed Academy’s manager Sam Shulberg, himself a former Yeovil Town coach, acted as the go-between for the move and reckons there will be more to come.  “We of course wish Adel all the best and will be keeping a close eye on his progress.  His move has alerted other EFL clubs that we are serious about creating pathways through to the pro game.  So there is every opportunity at Mousehole/Endorsed for young players with talent – and the right attitude and determination – to better themselves, whether they are starting out at this level or dropping down a few leagues in order to step up again.”

MOUSEHOLE 2-1 PLYMOUTH ARGYLE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE CUP

sponsored by Walter C Parson Funeral Directors

THIRD ROUND TIE

SATURDAY 17th NOVEMBER 2018, AT TRUNGLE PARC

 

‘TEAM OF THE WEEK’ MOUSEHOLE SHOCK PILGRIMS TO REACH LEAGUE CUP QUARTER-FINALS

 

Plymouth Argyle’s talented young side – the highest placed of the 54 teams in this year’s League Cup competition and with a 100% record in their last five games – made the long journey west as the clear pre-match favourites against a Mousehole side standing in 5th place in the Division below.

But the hosts put on a tremendous performance of teamwork, skill and commitment to earn a fully deserved victory, their fourth ‘giant killing’ against higher-division opponents in this season’s Cup competitions and this time earning the title of Team of the Week in a SWPL public vote.

This was a much anticipated and well attended contest between two teams noted for their passing style of football, and on a superb playing surface it was Kevin Nicholson’s men who outshone the Premier Division leaders in all departments.

Argyle fielded their usual mixture of Academy prospects and players with first-team squad experience, while Mousehole, playing in their dark-blue away kit to accommodate the visitors’ traditional dark-green club colours, were without half a dozen regular squad members who were either cup-tied or injured.

Argyle had progressed to the third round after a bye and a 3-1 away win at much-fancied Tavistock, whereas Mousehole had notched up away successes at Premier Division sides Newquay (2-0) and Sticker (4-0).

Gerens James put Mousehole in the lead on 18 minutes, using his strength and know-how to hold off his marker before turning on to Billy Curtis’ floated cross from the right and firing home from 8 yards.

And the same combination produced the second goal in the 52nd minute, this time with the aid of an error by goalkeeper Mike Collins, who misjudged a wind-assisted cross leaving Mousehole’s top scorer to nod into an empty net from a couple of yards out.

Dom Angove had a quiet afternoon in the Mousehole goal, as his defenders closed the door on every half-chance created by the visitors.  The one exception came on 27 minutes when Alex Battle – the leading scorer in the Premier Division – exploited a generous amount of space 25 yards out to drive firmly into the corner for an equaliser against the run of play.  Two other Argyle players, Callum Dyson and Alex Fletcher, feature near the top of the ‘Golden Boot’ standings as part of an attack that has scored 86 goals in 21 league games, but they were rarely allowed a sight of goal throughout the whole of the 90 minutes.

The result and performance indicates that Mousehole’s squad now has real strength in depth as well as continuity of playing style, which should serve them well over what promises to be a challenging but exciting winter period.

Mousehole will not know their opponents in the League Cup quarter-finals – with those games to be played on or before 28th February – until the draw is made after the completion of the remaining third round ties on Saturday 8th December.

Having just faced the team at the top of the Premier Division, The Seagulls now face the leaders of Division One West as they travel to Lux Park to take on unbeaten Liskeard Athletic this Saturday (24th), kick off at 3pm.  Mousehole are currently 11 points behind the leaders with a game in hand.  Having won their first ten league games outright, Liskeard were fortunate to come away from Penzance with a 1-1 draw last Saturday, after The Magpies played much of the game with ten men and even missed a potential match-winning penalty near the end.

The following Saturday (1st December) it’s local derby cup day – Penzance v Mousehole in the first round of the Cornwall Charity Cup (2pm).

Mousehole v Plymouth Argyle squads:

Mousehole: Dom Angove, Billy Curtis (captain), Ryan Andrew, Mark Richards, Kevin Nicholson, Luke Hunter, Lorenzo Qerimi, Paulo Sousa, Hamza Kaid, Gerens James, Calum Elliot

Substitutes: Craig Wilcox (for Calum Elliot, 72), Tom Patrick, Tom Hands, Sam Shulberg, Jake Andrew

Plymouth Argyle: Mike Cooper, Harry Hodges, Reuben Collum, Adam Randell, Andy Burn, Isaac Burden, Lionel Ainsworth, Jude Boyd, Callum Dyson, Alex Battle, Alex Fletcher

Substitutes: Ben Musselwhite (for Adam Randall, 46), Owen Raven (for Andy Burn, 80).

Scorers: Gerens James 18 (1-0), Alex Battle 27 (1-1), Gerens James 52 (2-1).

Referee: Matthew Carney.     Attendance: 118.

MOUSEHOLE 0-2 HELSTON ATHLETIC

CORNWALL SENIOR CUP 2nd ROUND

SATURDAY 10th NOVEMBER 2018, AT TRUNGLE PARC

 

Having reached a first-ever Final in last season’s Cornwall Senior Cup and already caused three cup upsets this term, Mousehole will feel a tinge of disappointment after being knocked out on their own turf by nearby Helston Athletic from the Division above.  And there will also be continuing concern after unlucky keeper Jason Robertson was taken to hospital after a serious ocollision early in the second half.

 

Mousehole had already beaten Premier Division Newquay and Sticker away and Millbrook at home, but Saturday’s visitors proved to be a much stiffer proposition.  The Seagulls came into the game with high expectations, especially after five consecutive wins, but Helston were also on a fine run of form having secured two important away League victories inside the last week.

 

There was little to choose between the two sides in the first half, the only noteworthy incidents coming within the space of a minute at the midway point.  Keeper Jason Robertson got down smartly on the line to claw out a low 10-yard drive from the visitors’ Scott Beattie, while at the other end Hamza Kaid’s dangerous cross from the right was somehow scuffed away from the lurking Gerens James from a couple of yards out.

 

Seven minutes into the second half, Helston’s Phil Cattran and Mousehole’s Billy Curtis and Jason Robertson all converged at speed on a through ball, and although the keeper was favourite to collect, the collision resulted in a serious neck and head injury.  Cattran escaped with a yellow card for his over-forceful challenge, but Robertson was laid out for nearly ten minutes while receiving treatment on the pitch, and after briefly resuming he was taken to hospital where he was diagnosed with whiplash and concussion.

 

On 75 minutes Mousehole came within a hair’s breadth of taking the lead when Paulo Sousa’s shot was parried by keeper Barrie Wyatt and Gerens James’ header from the rebound was chested off the line by Kirk Davies.

 

And just two minutes later the game swung Helston’s way when it was, ironically, Cattran who volleyed past substitute keeper Paul Williams after Scott Beattie’s header from a disputed free kick fell nicely on the edge of the box.  Athletic were in no mood to let go of their lead and their tough tackling, especially on danger man Hamza Kaid, earned more yellow cards despite their vociferous protests.

 

With referee Kevin Knowles signalling 15 minutes of added time, The Seagulls stepped up the pressure as Calum Elliot moved up into midfield, and started to play their best football of the match, but they were unable to fashion any clear-cut chances against a resolute defence.

 

Helston scored a second goal on 90+10 to remove any possibility of extra time and thoughts of the game ending in darkness.  Outstanding midfielder Matthew Bye collected a quickly taken left-sided short corner and swerved a superb shot past Paul Williams into the far corner from near the angle of the penalty area.

 

In this, the first of four huge matches on successive Saturdays, Mousehole can take some consolation from the fact that Helston had to be at their very best on the day, with their jubilant celebrations clearly suggesting this was a big win for them.

 

It’s another Cup day at Trungle Parc this coming Saturday (17th), this time in the third round of the League Cup against Premier Division leaders Plymouth Argyle Reserves – the fifth higher-Division side Mousehole will have faced this season.  Kick off is at 2pm, with extra time and penalties to decide the tie if necessary, and as another sizeable crowd is expected spectators travelling by car are advised to arrive early.

 

The following Saturday (24th), The Seagulls return to League action when they travel to Lux Parc to face an interesting challenge at Division One West leaders Liskeard Athletic, who have won all ten of their games so far.  Then, on December 1st, it’s a local derby at Penzance in the first round of the Cornwall Charity Cup.

 

Mousehole v Helston Athletic: Jason Robertson, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Calum Elliot, Tom Hands, Luke Hunter, Steve Burt, Paulo Sousa, Hamza Kaid, Gerens James, Hermann Niamke.

 

Substitutes: Craig Wilcox (for Hermann Niamke, 58), Paul Williams (for Jason Robertson, 62), Mark Richards (for Tom Hands, 88), Ryan Andrew, Lorenzo Qerimi.

 

Helston scorers: Phil Cattran (77), Matthew Bye (90+10).

 

Referee: Kevin Knowles.     Attendance: 126

 

LUDGVAN 1-11 MOUSEHOLE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGE, DIVISION ONE WEST

SATURDAY 3rd NOVEMBER 2018, AT FAIRFIELD

Mousehole picked up the expected three points at nearby Ludgvan on Saturday and in the process boosted their all-important goal difference.  The Seagulls have now won their last five games, scoring 27 goals while conceding just 5, and this latest success lifts them up to fifth place in the league table ahead of two consecutive Cup Saturdays.

Ludgvan remain winless and rooted to bottom spot after 12 League games, but to their credit are at least managing to recruit enough players to fulfil their scheduled fixtures and maintain their place in the West Division after the departure in the summer of last season’s runners-up squad.

Indeed, the players who turned out for The Hurlers on Saturday put up a gallant and defiant first-half showing to restrict the visitors to a slender 2-1 margin at the interval, but they were run off their feet in a nine-goal onslaught in the second half.

The first half started promisingly for Kevin Nicholson’s men, with the new player-manager in the starting X1 and providing constant prompting from the back.  Paulo Sousa scored for Mousehole after 3 minutes, prodding home from close in after a defensive mistake, and by contrast Lorenzo Qerimi doubled the lead on 14 minutes with a thumping 18-yard half-volley into the roof of the net from Steven Ziboth’s left-wing run and a pulled back low cross.

But the hosts earned themselves a goal after 20 minutes when the direct-running sole striker Jamie Nicholls was fouled just inside the area by Ryan Andrew and duly slotted home from the penalty spot.  Despite Mousehole’s possession and continuous attacking, a combination of wasteful finishing and committed defending kept the half-time score to 2-1 – probably Ludgvan’s best 45 minutes of their troubled season.

Nicholson brought on three substitutes at the start of the second half in an attempt to convert superiority into goals, and within seconds Paulo Sousa tapped in another close range shot after a searching cross from the left.  Goals then followed at regular intervals as the game flowed mainly in one direction, with the tiring home side rarely able to get hold of the ball or escape from their own half.  On 50 minutes it was 4-1 as young left-back Tom Hands’ cross-cum-shot bobbled over the line.  Gerens James then got on the scoresheet on 57 with a header into an empty net after Nicholson’s flighted free kick from 25 yards had bounced back from the post.  The striker then notched his second four minutes later with another header from inside the six yard box this time from Hermann Niamke’s cross.

Paulo Sousa was first to his hat-trick in the 74th minute with a curling free kick into the top corner to take the score to 7-1, and the beleaguered Hurlers conceded an unlucky own goal with ten minutes left on the clock.  The Seagulls were in merciless mood and Gerens James duly completed his own hat-trick on 82 after Sousa’s fierce drive had been parried, and Sousa assisted on 85 as Hamza Kaid headed in the pinpoint cross to reach double figures.  It was 11-1 in the first minute of added-on time as Sousa completed a remarkable afternoon’s work with his fourth goal after Tyler Tonkin marked his return to the club with a great surging run from 60 yards out.

Mousehole’s next two fixtures are hugely anticipated Cup ties at Trungle Parc against Premier Division opposition, with The Seagulls having already this season eliminated three teams from the Division above – Millbrook 3-2 at home, and Newquay 2-0 and Sticker 4-0 both away.

This Saturday (10th), Steve Massey’s Helston Athletic make the short journey for a Cornwall Senior Cup second round tie, while on the following Saturday (17th) League leaders Plymouth Argyle bring their talented young squad to the far west for a South West Peninsula League Cup third round tie.  Both matches have a 2pm kick off, with extra time and penalties to decide the outcome if necessary.

Mousehole v Ludgvan: Jason Robertson, Billy Curtis (captain), Ryan Andrew, Kevin Nicholson, Tom Hands, Lorenzo Qerimi, Steve Burt, Paulo Sousa, Hamza Kaid, Gerens James, Steven Ziboth.

Substitutes: Luke Hunter, Tyler Tonkin & Hermann Niamke (for Ryan Andrew, Lorenzo Qerimi & Steven Ziboth, all 46 mins), Paul Williams.

Mousehole scorers: Paulo Sousa (3, 47, 74, 90+1), Gerens James (57, 66, 82), Lorenzo Qerimi (14), Tom Hands (50), OG (80), Hamza Kaid (85).

Ludgvan scorer: Jamie Nicholls (20, pen)

Referee: Rowan Clarke

DOBWALLS 1-2 MOUSEHOLE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

SATURDAY 27th OCTOBER 2018, AT LANTOOM PARK

Mousehole had to be at their resilient best for over 100 minutes in a fiesty encounter fragmented by frequent free kicks and several lengthy injury stoppages.

Playing with the wind gusting down the Lantoom Park slope, The Seagulls built a two-goal interval lead but were under pressure for the whole of the second half as the hosts pulled back a goal just before the hour and missed a penalty in added-on time.

With Mousehole on top in the early stages, Gerens James headed just over from Calum Elliot’s cross after excellent work by Billy Curtis and Hamza Kaid on the right. Confusion then followed in the 8th minute when the referee awarded the visitors a penalty for handball but reversed his decision after consulting the assistant referee and gave Dobwalls a free kick instead.

However, two minutes later The Seagulls opened the scoring through Paulo Sousa who coolly slipped the ball past the advancing goalkeeper when put in the clear by Calum Elliot’s defence-splitting pass.

Dobwalls were doing their best to disrupt Mousehole’s pattern of play, but Elliot was again prominent in the 44th minute to double the lead with an instant reaction header after Hamza Kaid’s fierce cross-shot from an angle had been parried – a goal that was to prove decisive in the final analysis.

Dobwalls came back into the game on 58 minutes through Sam Ingram’s low 18-yard drive into the far corner, and from then on they stepped up a gear, fiercely contesting every ball – and decision. Even so, Gerens James came close to restoring a two-goal cushion with a shot on 61 and header on 66. At the other end, keeper Jason Robertson – making a second appearance after his recent transfer from Porthleven – had to make a diving save to push out a goal-bound long-range shot with ten minutes of normal time left, as the home side stepped up their physical onslaught and verbal provocation.

Calum Elliot was denied the chance to make the game more comfortable by a fine goalkeeping save on 90+2, but the drama was still to come. Mousehole’s defenders had just managed to scramble the ball away in front of goal on 90+4, when in the next minute Ryan Andrew’s foul in the box gave Dobwalls the perfect opportunity to make it all-square from the penalty spot, but Jason Robertson got across to his left to beat out the shot. The Seagulls managed to withstand another three minutes of bombardment before pocketing the valuable three points.

Mousehole’s hard-earned three points lifts them up to sixth place, ten points behind 100%-record Liskeard Athletic from the same number of games, with the important head-to-head away at Lux Park on 24th November.

Before then, league game no. 10 is the local derby at Ludgvan this Saturday (2:15pm). The Hurlers are currently winless and in last place in the table, but, after the departure of most of the squad who achieved a creditable runners-up spot last season, they are in the process of re-grouping on the playing and coaching side – with some help from Mousehole!

Following that, The Seagulls have the chance to create more cup headlines when they face two Premier Division sides at Trungle Parc on successive Saturdays. Having already this season knocked out higher-level teams Newquay and Sticker away and Millbrook at home, they host Helston Athletic on 10th November in the Cornwall Senior Cup second round, and current league leaders Plymouth Argyle on the 17th in the SWP League Cup third round, both ties with a 2pm kick off and extra time and penalties if necessary.

Mousehole v Dobwalls: Jason Robertson, Billy Curtis, Ryan Andrew, Adel Gafaiti, Tom Hands, Lorenzo Qerimi, Luke Hunter, Paulo Sousa, Hamza Kaid, Gerens James, Calum Elliot

Substitutes: Hermann Niamke (for Paulo Sousa, 70), Kevin Nicholson, Paul Williams

Referee: Lee Roberts

The Endorsed Academy (partners to Mousehole AFC) have reached out to help support nearby Ludgvan FC.

The fellow South West Peninsula West Division club, who came a fantastic runners-up in the League last May in their first season after promotion from the Cornwall Combination League.

To help Ludgvan re-group, Endorsed Academy are providing Ludgvan with the services of a UEFA qualified coach Matt James and are committed to sharing coaching resources and playing philosophy.

The jointly-agreed strategy is for The Hurlers to build a new team of young talented players, attracting those from other Leagues capable of developing their potential at SWPL standards from the Endorsed Academy coaching methods, whilst helping the club to successfully progress.

Ludgvan FC Chairman Nigel Pryor explained: “We are really pleased to welcome both Matt and Dennis and excited of the prospect of attracting young local talent and help them to develop and progress.  The feedback from players on Matts training sessions has been absolutely excellent.  Both myself and Sue our very hard working Secretary are delighted with everything thats going on.

There’s a lot of hard work ahead at Ludgvan, all players will be made very welcome whilst we look to secure our place in senior football. Those interested in the excellent coaching please get in touch as soon as possible.

Contact Details
Sue Ludgvan Secretary
07919263278

STICKER 0-4 MOUSEHOLE

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

SECOND ROUND TIE

FRIDAY 19th OCTOBER 2018, AT BURNGULLOW PARK

Watched from the bench by player/manager Kevin Nicholson in his first game in charge, The Seagulls put in an assured display to out-class their higher-Division opponents with a four goal haul that scarcely did justice to their superiority.

Mousehole had already beaten two Premier Division sides within the last month – Newquay away 2-0 in the same competition and Millbrook 3-2 at home in the Cornwall Senior Cup – to add to their impressive Cup record in recent times. And this victory was by far the most convincing, albeit against a Sticker side struggling with life in their second season at the higher level after player departures, injuries and suspensions.

On a beautiful floodlit evening and in front of a sizeable Mousehole contingent, the visitors survived a couple of minor scares before fashioning early chances of their own, County Youth goalkeeper Ethan Elwell pushing out a Steven Ziboth 20-yard central free kick, Adel Gafaiti volleying a loose ball just wide after a corner, and Calum Elliot hitting the outside of the woodwork from the left.

The expected opening goal arrived on 19 minutes when Elliot, playing his last-but-one game before returning to his native Edinburgh, was chopped down after a smart turn in the area, and centre-back Gafaiti comfortably steered home the undisputed penalty kick.

A critical moment occurred five minutes later when Mousehole’s young keeper Dom Angove was at his shot-stopping best to beat out a close range drive when a Sticker equaliser looked inevitable, and five minutes later the home side slid a shot just wide of the far post.

But that was the last seen of the Sticker attack until the closing stages of the match as The Seagulls’ midfield mopped up everything in front of the back line and kept the momentum in their favour with composed passing and probing forward passes.

Steven Ziboth had already made one of his characteristic runs from deep only to be foiled in a one-on-one by keeper Elwell’s block, but he made no mistake on 40 minutes, released by Elliot’s inch-perfect through ball inside the full back to slot left-footed inside the far post from 15 yards for a 2-0 lead, fully deserved on the balance of play.

The anticipated Sticker comeback in the second half failed to materialise as Mousehole completely dominated the opening quarter-hour, Steven Ziboth (twice), Lorenzo Qerimi and Tom Hands all coming very close to increasing the lead. Gerens James netted two marginally offside ”goals” but was not to be denied in the 64th minute with a near-post header from Ziboth’s right-sided corner for a more realistic-looking 3-0 score line.

Sticker were finding it difficult to get out of their own half but conceded a self-inflicted fourth goal on 75 minutes when Craig Wilcox, a Seagull substitute for only five minutes, was alert to a fumble by Elwell and seized on the loose ball to place an instant left-footed shot into the far corner.

With their young substitutes on the field, the home side at last put some positive moves together to mount a handful of serious threats in the last ten minutes, but the Mousehole defence reacted with composure and determination to preserve a clean sheet.

The reward for knocking out two higher-level sides on their own turf is a home tie against another Premier Division team, Plymouth Argyle, who as current leaders of the table are the top-ranked club in the competition.  The match, scheduled for Saturday 17th November (2pm), is sure to attract added interest, with Mousehole’s philosophy tested against Argyle’s talented full-time development squad playing attractive football and occasionally supplemented by players from the club’s League One first team group.

The Argyle game will come a week after the Cornwall Senior Cup second round tie at Trungle Parc against Helston Athletic on 10th November (2pm), meaning that by mid-November Mousehole will already have faced five of the 20 Premier Division teams in this season’s Cup competitions.

Before then, The Seagulls travel to two away games in the League, firstly this Saturday (27th) at Dobwalls (3pm), followed by the local derby at Ludgvan on Saturday 3rd November (kick off 2:15pm).

Mousehole: Dom Angove, Billy Curtis (captain), Ryan Andrew, Adel Gafaiti, Tom Hands, Lorenzo Qerimi, Luke Hunter, Hamza Kaid, Gerens James, Steven Ziboth, Calum Elliot

Substitutes: Craig Wilcox (for Hamza Kaid, 69), Sam Shulberg (for Steven Ziboth, 77), Kevin Nicholson, Hermann Niamke

Scorers: Adel Gafaiti (pen) 19, Steven Ziboth 40, Gerens James 64, Craig Wilcox 75

Referee: Richard Butters

 

*****

In a major coup for Mousehole AFC, former Torquay United player and manager Kevin Nicholson has agreed to join the club as First Team player/manager and Director of Endorsed Academy.

He will replace current player/manager Calum Elliot who will continue as a player until the end of October before he needs to return with his family to his native Edinburgh. The club wanted to put on record their thanks for Calum’s hard work and his ongoing support in this transitional process.

The 37-year old Nicholson came out ahead of some tough competition to land the role.  As well as possessing an impressive CV as player, UEFA ‘A’ qualified coach and manager, he conducted two high-quality and well-received training sessions with the Mousehole squad, excelled in a series of thorough interviews, and set out his plans and long-term vision for the development of the club and Academy.

Nicholson made over 500 appearances in the Football League and top-flight of non-league, as well as winning a Wembley play-off Final, being named in the PFA ‘Team of the Year’ and representing England ‘C’.  But he is best known in the south-west for his 300+ games as a left-sided defender for Torquay United, where he is regarded as a club ‘legend’.  He was asked to take over as Torquay manager during a period of severe financial constraint at Plainmoor, and saved The Gulls from near-certain relegation at the end of his first season, an episode recorded as the ‘Great Escape’ by the Torquay faithful.

Adam Fletcher, Head of  Football Operations at Mousehole, said  “Kevin Nicholson is an outstanding appointment: he brings a wealth of experience and ambition, coupled with a winning mentality, and his great energy, leadership and management skills will be felt throughout the club and Endorsed Academy.  At the same time there’s no doubt Kevin’s decision to join us reinforces our growing reputation as a progressive club who do not intend to stand still. ”

Speaking of his new role, Nicholson explained: “I am incredibly enthusiastic about the potential at Mousehole.  I was taken aback by the club’s footballing philosophy, coaching set-up, use of technology, committee support, infrastructure, fantastic Academy and forward-thinking ambition. I’m incredibly excited to take it all to the next level.  I’m also buzzing to be back playing!”

The Seagulls have already made public their aim to make sustainable progress by adopting top-class coaching and promoting youth development.  The First team will be applying for promotion this year and the club has the planning permission and grant finance in place to develop their Trungle Parc HQ to meet the requirements of the higher League.

Mousehole currently lie in sixth place in the South West Peninsula League West Division, but Kevin Nicholson’s first sight of the team in competitive action will be in a League Cup tie on Friday evening (19th) at Premier Division Sticker.

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