EXMOUTH TOWN 0-0 MOUSEHOLE (4-3 ON PENALTIES)
FA VASE FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND
SATURDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 2020
AT SOUTHERN ROAD
Mousehole’s first-ever appearance in the national FA Vase competition saw them match and almost defeat one of the top sides in the Step 5 Western League on their own turf, drawing all-round positive credits despite the disappointment of losing in the penalty shoot-out.
How it happened – the key moments:
The Mousehole squad is missing five players, including goalkeeper Cory Harvey following his collision in the abandoned midweek home game against Helston, and injured joint-top scorer Amara Bakayoko.
33 mins: Exmouth’s direct and forceful play is looking threatening. Mousehole are finding it difficult to create their own pattern. Stand-in keeper Dom Angove makes a full-length save from Callum Shipton as he bursts through one-on-one.
Half-time score 0-0: Resilient Mousehole survive the onslaught without too many more alarms, and are very much still in this tie.
60 mins: The Seagulls are making their presence felt with more possession as the home side begin to run out of ideas going forward
71 mins Mousehole substitute: Tallan Mitchell is replaced by Kian Burns, to play wide on the left, with Josh Magin continuing wide on the right. The Exmouth rearguard is looking vulnerable down the flanks.
75mins Exmouth let-off: Kian Burns bursts through two strong tackles on the halfway line to create a great chance against the exposed defence, but the Referee stops the move to award Mousehole a free kick rather than play advantage.
80 mins: Mousehole substitute: Tom Hands is replaced by Josh Otto on the right side of defence, with Billy Curtis moving across to the left
81 mins: Mousehole are getting on top – Kieran Toland’s fierce 25-yarder swerves past the post.
84 mins: Mousehole are within millimetres of taking the lead as Josh Magin’s angled shot hits the base of the far post and spins out for a goal kick.
87 mins: Josh Magin close again, this time from a central position as his 25 yard shot is destined for the corner but home keeper Robbie Powell rescues his side with a flying save to push the ball round the post
90 mins: Exmouth breakaway – Jordan Harris has a great chance but hurriedly scuffs his shot straight at Dom Angove, who has been relatively untroubled in the second half.
90+5 mins: Mousehole have had a great last 15 minutes and will have wished for more minutes, but the Referee blows for full-time.
Full-time score: 0-0. No extra time, so it’s straight to penalties.
Exmouth 0-1 Mousehole: Kian Burns scores
1-1 Exmouth captain Max Gillard scores
1-2 Hayden Turner for Mousehole
2-2 Mark Lever for Exmouth
2-3 Jamie Devine for Mousehole
3-3 Jordan Harris for Exmouth
Josh Otto’s penalty is brilliantly saved by Robbie Powell. Still 3-3, but advantage Exmouth.
4-3 to Exmouth as Aarron Denny converts
Kieran Toland must score to keep the Seagulls in it, but Powell pulls off another great save
Result: Exmouth Town 4-3 Mousehole, on penalties.
Exmouth’s celebrations are tinged with relief and keeper Robbie Powell is rightly the centre of attention. The Mousehole squad is sportingly applauded off the pitch by the home faithful – they know they’ve been in a match!
Mousehole: Dom Angove, Billy Curtis (captain), Mark Richards, Jamie Devine, Tom Hands*, Tallan Mitchell*, Kieran Toland, Steve Burt, Josh Magin, Hayden Turner, Jude Boyd
*Used substitutes: Kian Burns for Tallan Mitchell; Josh Otto for Tom Hands
Unused substitutes: Paulo Sousa, Charlie Wills, Jake Ash
Despite the result, a momentous occasion for the club both on and off the field, the major talking point being that The Seagulls, far from being underdogs, have proved they can match and do well in the league above, if and when promotion beckons.
Back to league action now with three consecutive games at Trungle Parc, with a chance to extend their 100% league record:
This Tuesday, 22nd September, Home v St Blazey, 7.30pm
Next Saturday, 26th September, Home v Saltash United, 3pm The Saturday after, 3rd October, Home v Bodmin Town, 3pm
