Until a few weeks ago Hartpury were aiming for the play-offs but a bad run had left them in the limbo land of mid-table. Having lost to three other relegation threatened teams they seemed there for the taking and indeed they were.
Mousehole’s away form this season has been a revelation and the three points that travelled home on the Seagulls’ party bus were well deserved. A first half that saw the Seagulls have more chances, more possession and more spark ended with them one nil up.
The goal was good enough to win any game and it was fitting that it came from the boot of our Portuguese superstar; Paulo Ranalli Sousa. Ed Harrison gave him the ball 25 yards out. The little fella had driven from Sheffield, the northern industrial town not the sleepy Cornish village, and was too tired to run with it. He looked up, saw the keeper off his line and drove a lob over the stricken stopper.
The fans erupted, the bench exploded and his team mates mobbed him.
I’m writing this on the coach, it’s nearly midnight and I’m tired and emotional. The details don’t matter apart from these:
- Mousehole had sixteen players who gave everything in their locker to win this game.
- Mousehole had more fans at this game than did Hartpury. That’s crazy. Thank you to every fan who has followed us this season.
- Ollie made a save in the last minute that Gordon Banks would have been proud of. But we’re used to his heroics.
- As a season ends that hasn’t brought what we hoped, this is still a wonderful club, supported by fanatical fans, run by volunteers who put in hours beyond all understanding.
As we say goodbye to Jake and Fletch whilst we may be sad at their leaving we should be grateful that their lives and ours intersected for this surreal journey.
It’s the end of one fabulous period in the club’s history and with a bit of luck, the start of another.
