MOUSEHOLE SEEKS NEW CLUB SECRETARY

Hello everybody,

I am writing to you on behalf of the directors to let you know about a critical vacancy which has opened up within the match day management of the first team. This is a fantastic opportunity to put yourself at the heart of what we do at Mousehole and to ensure the smooth and compliant running of the club.

A few weeks ago Andrew Large, who has been club secretary now for several years as well as fixtures secretary for the last couple of seasons, let us know he has decided to step down at the end of this season. His contribution to this club has been immeasurable and remarkable, and his departure leaves a large hole to fill.

We urgently need somebody to step up to take over Andrew‘s duties beginning next season. The requirements of the role are set out below but it is quite possible that we will try to split some of these between two or three people.

If you are interested we’d be happy to chat over the details with you.

This club prides itself on our community spirit and the tireless contributions of our volunteers. If you know of anybody who might be suitable for this role, please do let me know on kevinbishop@mouseholeafc.co.uk or 07739 920 251.

FOOTBALL AND FIXTURES SECRETARY JOB DESCRIPTION

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

Liaise with visiting team prior to home games regarding playing colours, programme information, hospitality requirements, travel arrangements and pitch inspections

Liaise with match officials prior to home games regarding pitch inspections, travel arrangements and payment details

Liaise with host team prior to away games regarding playing colours, programme information, hospitality requirements and travel arrangements

Input team information into the Southern League’s Match Day System and present to referee (to be completed 45 minutes before kick-off at both home and away games) 

Operate the Southern League’s Match Day System during home matches 

Liaise with opponents and the League regarding fixture rearrangements

Act as first point of contact with the Southern League and the FA for all correspondence, incoming and outgoing, and attend both online and “in person” meetings as required 

Liaise with team management regarding players: notices of approach, registrations, disciplinary record, etc.

OTHER TASKS

Attend both home and away games in fulfilment of the responsibilities and tasks above, delegating when absent 

Maintain “player pen picture”, “club history” and “club information” files for use in (home and away) match programmes 

Maintain a fixtures and results summary for sharing within the Club 

Ensure that key information is shared with the Board and the broader volunteer community 

Participate in relevant discussions with the Chairman, Board and team management

Working with the Chairman and the Board, help to safeguard and promote the Club’s interests, image and reputation 

Ensure that everything possible is done to avoid costs and fines imposed by the League, FA and CCFA

CLUB TO LAUNCH CROWDFUNDER FOR NEW ROAD

Mousehole Football Club is looking to make strides towards enhancing its facilities and contributing to the community with an ambitious plan to construct a new access road to their Trungle Parc ground, which is situated just outside the village of Paul on the hill above Mousehole HarbourThe plan, first announced in 2021, will be largely financed by a crowdfunding campaign to be launched this autumn.

The new access roadway, for which the club already possesses planning permission, will connect the B3315 near Sheffield directly to the football ground and the campsite it operates. The Club has undertaken preparatory work along the route under the guidance of experts and in compliance with all planning conditions. This includes a thorough assessment of a suitable drainage scheme to ensure there is no increase in water run-off.

The access road will terminate as a cul-de-sac at the Club’s ground, making it impossible for it to become a ‘rat run’ into the village. Instead, the new access road is poised to bring numerous benefits to both the residents of Paul and the football club.

The proposed route takes traffic straight from the B3315 to the football ground

A primary advantage of the new road is that it will divert all the current football and camping traffic away from the village of Paul, alleviating congestion in the lane from the Ring & Thimble junction into the village. The new road access will also make the club’s car park bigger with defined car spaces for another 40 cars, 3 coach spaces and a cycle hub. In this respect, it will eliminate the need for overflow street-side parking in Trungle Parc and Trungle Terrace, addressing concerns about parking issues.

Club Chairman Deryk Heywood remembers the road being discussed when he played for the club in 1978 and has been working on the plan since he became chairman six years ago. The strip of land has been gifted to the club through the generosity of the neighbouring landowner and full planning permission has now been obtained. 

Chairman Deryk Heywood at the proposed entrance to the new road

As well as directly benefitting the club, Deryk believes the additional access and parking the new road will bring will provide much-needed extra capacity for village events, as well as providing enhanced facilities at the club for the community to use: 

“The road will help bring the club to another level commercially and keep all the traffic away from the village. We are part of the community along with the cricket club, the pub, the church. We want to improve life for the community by drastically reducing the traffic flow”.

The football club operates a campsite in the field next to the pitch

To put the traffic and parking concerns into perspective, home matches for the club’s First Team occur on average once every fortnight for eight months of the year, with the season comprising approximately 20 matches from August to April. The club’s attendances have averaged around 200 over the most recent season. The club’s move to the Southern League means visiting teams and their away supporters are now located much farther away than before. Consequently, the likelihood of individual vehicles increasing is minimal.

The new road will remove match-day traffic from Trungle

In addition to the new road, the club will be exploring better ways of managing its sewage and water supply and are investigating hooking up to the mains supply.

As a non-profit organization, Mousehole Football Club is committed to adhering to all planning rules and regulations and will continue to do so. The Club’s vision is not only to secure its future but also to create opportunities and foster a strong sense of community within the village of Paul.

Considerable expense has already been outlaid by the club to ensure the plans meet all requisite regulations and standards. The club are now exploring crowdfunding opportunities for the project and details will be released later this year. 

“SIMPLY A MOUSEHOLE LEGEND – NOT ONLY AS A PLAYER, BUT ALSO A MAN”

Steve Burt retires as one of Mousehole’s most popular and respected players, with an impressive record stretching back over ten years.

by Andrew Large and Kevin Bishop

Jake Ash has led the tribute to Steve Burt who has decided to hang up his boots after a decade-long career at the club: “I remember thinking back to my first training session at Marazion and this lad turned up with a ponytail and I just thought he was a surfer who’d come along to join in training. But I came away and sent messages to everyone saying there are some good players there but one in particular who is just unbelievable, technically brilliant with every tackle.”

Local lad ‘Burtie’ joined Mousehole at the start of 2013/14 season, and missed very few games over three consecutive seasons, being awarded the captain’s armband by player-manager Wayne Quinn.

As captain, he led Mousehole to a record-breaking and historic ‘double’ in the 2015/16 season, winning both the South West Peninsula League Division One West and the Cornwall Charity Cup.

Burty celebrating with Billy Curtis and Calron Hall

After a serious season-ending injury near the start of the 2016/17 campaign, he joined nearby Ludgvan for a year,  returning to Mousehole for the 2018/19 season.

He was a key defensive midfield player during The Seagulls two-Step promotion years, and is noted for scoring the team’s first-ever goal at the club’s highest-ever playing level – the Western League Premier Division – at the start of the 2021/22 season (against Wellington).

Steve Burt scores against Wellington in Western League Premier August 2022
Steve Burt scores against Wellington, August 2022




Before the home match against Exmouth Town at the end of March of that season, Burtie was presented with a plaque to commemorate 250 First Team appearances for the club.

Jake added: “I don’t think you’ll find a single person in football or the world in general who has a single bad word to say about him. Everything he does, he does with real integrity and honesty. He’s been an absolute pleasure to manage.”

Historically & certainly of late, many team members have shown great passion for our club! But fair to say, none more so than the Incredible Steve (Burty) Burt!! – Senior Volunteer Brian Richardson

Having made another 36 appearances in this season’s League title-winning side, Steve Burt retires with a Mousehole career total of 288 appearances and 11 goals. His final appearance for the club saw him lift the Western League trophy after a 3-0 win against Wellington.



					

MARK GOLDSWORTHY JOINS MOUSEHOLE FROM HELSTON ATHLETIC

Mousehole have strengthened their position at the top of the South West Peninsula League (West) with the signing of prolific goalscorer Mark Goldsworthy, the captain of close rivals Helston Athletic.

Goldsworthy notched up his 300th SWPL goal early last season, in two spells with Helston Athletic either side of a stint with St Austell, putting him among the county’s all-time record scorers. 

He went on to play an important part in Helston’s record-breaking 24-match winning run in last year’s League campaign, before the season was ended prematurely in March.  Up to that point, ‘Goldie’ had already netted 34 League goals, as well as another five in the Cup competitions, and was well on the way to adding to his unique tally of four consecutive ‘Golden Boot’ awards.

He was also the top scorer in the Kernow Football Alliance’s build-up to the (subsequently postponed) CONIFA World Cup last season.

 Commenting on his move further west, the Porthleven-based marksman explained: 

“At the age of 29 I’ve still got a lot of room for improvement as a player.  I’ve long been an admirer of Mousehole’s style of play, and I’ve got the greatest respect for Jake Ash, both as an opponent and coach, and Andy Graham through his coaching work with Kernow FA.  I know how the club operates and where it wants to be, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to be part of that.”

Mousehole are currently League leaders having scored an impressive 47 goals while conceding just 7, but Head of Football Adam Fletcher is by no means complacent:

 “The season has gone well so far, but we all know we can do better.  So, we are delighted to bring on board someone with Goldie’s experience and goalscoring ability.  He will add a different dimension to our attacking options.  Over the next few weeks he’ll be working hard with Gareth O’Neill (Strength & Conditioning Coach) to recover from a recurring ankle injury and join Gareth’s month-long fitness plan.”

Manager Jake Ash is convinced the signing is a massive step for the club: “Mark’s record over many years is proof of his consistency.  He has an incredible knack of knowing where the goal is – something that’s very difficult to coach – so to bring that natural skill set into this talented group of players is really exciting.  But he offers so much more than that:  his all round game and contribution to both team and club, and someone who wants to be the best he can be at everything he does”.

 If and when the season resumes in early December, Mousehole will have two consecutive home games, on 5th December against Launceston, and on the 12th against St Austell, one of Mark Goldsworthy’s previous clubs.

 Mousehole’s Chairman Deryk Heywood summarised the club’s position:  

“The signing of Mark Goldsworthy should leave no doubt about how serious we are about progression.  I cannot over-emphasise the role and reputation of our management and coaching team in making this happen, and helping us to push on with our ambitions as a club.”

BEN HARDING JOINS MANAGEMENT TEAM AT MOUSEHOLE AND ENDORSED ACADEMY

Mousehole have completed the summer re-structuring of their management team with the notable appointment of Ben Harding, who will take up the post of Head of Coaching combined with First Team Player/Assistant Manager.  

Ben will take responsibility for ensuring the football philosophy is embraced and developed across all Academy and Senior teams while also supporting the commercial initiatives the club and the Endorsed Academy are building.

The 34-year old midfielder had latterly made 52 appearances over two seasons with Truro City in National League South, and stepped up as the White Tigers’ interim manager in the early part of last season.  

His playing career spans a total of more than 400 games for Wimbledon, MK Dons, Aldershot, Wycombe, Northampton, Torquay and Gosport, together with three appearances for England ‘C’ as they won the Four-Nations non-league tournament in 2008. He also represented England Youth, Under-15/16s, and won the Victory Shield with them.

London-born Harding will be working alongside Mousehole’s recently appointed Manager Jake Ash – also a former Truro City star – as The Seagulls look to continue to develop in the coming season, playing at the highest level in their history (Step 6) after promotion to the newly re-formed Premier West Division of the South West Peninsula League.

Mousehole’s Chairman, Tim Richardson, who played a major role in talks with Ben Harding, said of the appointment:  “Ben has always left a great legacy wherever he’s played, and he will make a huge contribution to our club – not least as an influential character on the pitch.  The fact that people of the outstanding calibre of Ben and Jake have committed to Mousehole shows the desire and seriousness of our ambitions.”

Harding is enthusiastic about his new opportunity: “Mousehole’s vision and aspirations for the future are not only fantastic for football in the area, but the community will see great benefits.  The people I have met here have been extremely welcoming and I cannot speak highly enough of the commitment and drive everyone at the club possesses.  I have felt totally inspired by what’s to be achieved here.  I strongly believe football has a special way of uniting people and communities, and I’m super-excited to be part of something so positive for the youth and people of Cornwall.”

DERYK HEYWOOD BECOMES GENERAL MANAGER OF MOUSEHOLE AFC AND ENDORSED ACADEMY

In a significant development Mousehole AFC have appointed Deryk Heywood –  Chairman of Porthleven AFC – to the role of General Manager.  He will be responsible for both developing the commercial model of the club, working closely with its Endorsed Academy, while also driving forward the increasing number of developments at a local level.

Deryk Heywood who re-located to West Cornwall over 40 years ago explained his decision to move across to Trungle Parc:  “I’ve been at Porthleven for several years and made many good friends, and this last season was our best in the League for ten years. So its been a big decision to leave.  But the opportunity to be involved in something unique, with such huge ambition, energy and vision at Mousehole AFC, and joining the growing leadership team of the club, was simply too good to miss. Its incredible to see a club that is engaging so deeply with its community, schools, the RNLI and beyond – its fantastic.”

Deryk went on to explain his involvement with local football and how he was returning to a club very close to his heart.  As a former local player, which included an interesting stint at Mousehole – Deryk is no stranger to the West Cornwall football scene, and has many fascinating stories to tell.  “My first ever game of football in Cornwall was for St Just Youth team in 1974.  I then played in goal for Herland Rangers in the West Penwith League from 1975 and eventually joined Mousehole, where I have some fantastic and actually very emotional memories.”

“So, as you can imagine, I’m massively looking forward to returning to Mousehole, this time in a different capacity and applying myself to ensuring that both the club and Endorsed Academy achieve their vision and goals.”

The club would like to wish Deryk every success in his new role and welcome him to the team.

#FlyingAllTogether

[wpeevent id=1917]

SUPPORT MOUSEHOLE AFC AND THE RNLI 🚤

Mousehole AFC are proud to offer our community the chance to have their name etched on a plaque displayed on the Solomon Browne Wall at Interiora Trungle Parc — a tribute to the brave Penlee lifeboat crew lost at sea in 1981.


With strong ties to the RNLI, we will donate 15% of all plaque sales to support their lifesaving work locally. This is your opportunity to leave a lasting mark of respect for past and present maritime heroes, while also celebrating Mousehole AFC greats down the years.


Plaques are available in various sizes with customizable engraving. Prices on request.


🔗 Get in touch with us today to secure your place on the wall!

MouseholeAFC #SolomonBrown #RNLI #ForeverRemembered

MELKSHAM TOWN 2-2 MOUSEHOLE | Sat 26th APRIL 2025

MELKSHAM TOWN 2-2 MOUSEHOLE | Sat 26th APRIL 2025

Seagulls Fall at the Final Hurdle

For forty two matches Mousehole were in the play offs spots for almost the whole season but sadly they missed out on the final day. Last season they nipped into the top five at the same moment that this year they dropped out. This is football, tiny margins make big differences and context is everything. On any other day of the season a two two draw away at Melksham would be seen as a good result but when you needed to win two nil it feels like a defeat.

The game itself was a close affair in which Mousehole went behind after thirteen minutes as a result of a season long failure to defend throw ins. Two players were left unmarked on the Melksham left, one of them was in acres of space and had time to swing in a dangerous cross. It wasn’t cleared and fell to another unmarked player to prod home.

Mousehole had chances in that first half but their finishing was maybe a little rushed due to the pressure of the day. As half time approached news reached the ground that Exmouth were four nil up. This meant the Seagulls need three goals without conceding in the second half to stay in the play off.

They approached the task with a good element of calmness and got one back when Hayden Turner set up Josh Bernard for his first Mousehole goal. Game on!

The clock ticked down and calm was replaced with anxiety. PLayers were thrown forward searching for the two goals needed but this left gaps at the back and Melksham are a good enough team to take advantage. A break down their left with a long mazy run avoiding any tackles ended with the ball squirming across the box to a home player in splendid isolation. If the finish was simple, a tap in, the celebration was extravangant, a flick-flack back flip worthy of a Champions League win. The home fans celebrated a win against the best footballing team in the league but hold on! The ref indicated five minutes to be added.

Was there time?

Mousehole came again, wave after wave of attack. These men in green and white never give up and they got their reward when the ball dropped to Jack Symons on the edge of the box. He controlled it and whalloped it in to the roof of the net. A lovely finish full of style and power, it very much represented what this teams gives its fans. Sadly for the travelling hordes it turned out to be too little too late. It was a finished worthy of winning promotion but had to suffice as a consolation for a hard fought season which ultimately ended in disappointment.

The season had begun with a patched-up squad and injuries already biting deep so whilst missing out on the pay offs on the last is a pain that will linger over the summer it shouldn’t be ignored that just to be this close was a marvellous achievement. There’s a Cornish summer to lick wounds and heal limbs then, like Arnie, we’ll be back. And this time we’ll….who knows but don’t miss it.

UPCOMING CUP MATCHES FOR MOUSEHOLE YOUTH (SEMI’S/FINALS)

Sunday 27th April

12:00KO – U9 Merlins v St Teath (League Cup semi-final @ St Buryan)

11:00KO – U15 Marvels v Porthleven (County Cup semi-final @ St Buryan)

Sunday 4th May

10:00KO – U13 Gliders v Culdrose (League Cup FINAL @ Clijah Croft, Redruth)

Sunday 11th May

13:00KO – U15 Marvels v Culdrose (League Cup FINAL @ Wendron)

Mousehole 2-1 Yate - Sat 12th March 2025

MOUSEHOLE 2-1 YATE TOWN | 12th APRIL 2025 | SOUTHERN LEAGUE

Mousehole 2 – 1 Yate

Better Yate Than Never!

Top of the table clashes don’t come more important than this one. With Yate leading the division and Mousehole coming off the back of two disappointing results this was a classic six pointer which could have gone either way.

Yate have lead from the front since day one of this season. At the turn of the year they were ten points clear and looked locked in for automatic promotion but since the days have started lengthening their lead has been shortening and they entered this match just three points ahead of Evesham. A run of just two wins in ten games meant that it was a must-win for the visitors. With Mousehole having gained one point from the previous two matches it meant it was must-win for the Seagulls too. Which way would it go?

The opening exchanges were cagey and very even with neither side creating much but that changed just before ten minutes were up. Jack Symons won a free kick about twenty five yards out. It was a classic piece of Simmo-ness, nipping in ahead of the defender and winning the foul.

Hayden Turner’s shot was straight and true but was aimed directly at the keeper. He bent down to catch it but it bounced in front of him and he spilled it in Onana-esque fashion. When something spills you need a mopper-upper and luckily for the home fans we have the best in the business. Starting three feet behind the defender Tim Nixon exploded past a statuesque backline to poke the ball home.

With chances being few and far between it seemed that Mousehole would go in ahead at half time. The play was fast and furious but there simply were no openings at either end. The closet Yate came to drawing level was a shot from the edge of the box which Ollie Chenoweth pushed round the post. It was going to take a piece of magic or a slight drop in concentration for this change and unfortunately it was the latter and it was at the home end.

Yate had a throw in on the left deep inside their own half. It reached Marlon Jackson on the half way line. He chested it, turned and played it forward to Tomlinson. With Hill and Konte either side of him it looked a lost cause but the number seven is quick and he pounced when Medo missed his kick. Taking it wide, he waited for Ollie Chenoweth to commit and sent it in to the net. This turned out to be Medo’s best performance in a Mousehole shirt but when you play in defence one mistake is all it takes to ruin your day.

For one of the only times this season Mousehole were having the minority of the possession but chances were evenly split and when the teams emerged for the second half it was impossible to predict who might win, if anyone.

The second forty-five proved to be as tight as the first with defences on top. There wasn’t a clear-cut chance until the eighty fifth minute. Yate had a free kick on the right wing. It was swung in to a packed penalty box and found its way to the far post where a desperate Yate foot reached out and slammed it against the post.

Relief turned to joy less than two minutes later when Simmo won a free kick on the right wing. In this instance he was scythed down like harvest corn. The crowd bayed for a red card but the referee chose yellow. Tempers were still running high as Jack Calver stood over the free kick and swung his left boot. Max Hill, six foot four of towering Yorkshire oak, threw himself at the ball and headed it home. The crowd erupted, the players gathered to celebrate as the visitors fell to their haunches. From near victory to almost certain defeat in the blink of an eye.

If you’ve just read the report on the Bashley game you’ll know that holding on to a late lead had not been possible for Mousehole the week before so the home fans were taking nothing for granted. Josh Baxter came on for the free-kicking-winning maestro Symons to shore up the defence. With four minutes added there were nails being bitten all over West Cornwall but Yate were unable to find a way through and the final whistle brought a mixture euphoria and relief as the push for promotion was back on the rails.

MOUSHOLE AFC FANS FORUM

INAUGURAL MOUSEHOLE AFC FANS-FORUM

First Ever Mousehole Fans Forum

Wednesday 2nd April in the clubhouse at Interiora Trungle Parc saw the first ever Mousehole Fans Forum. A well-attended event allowed fans and volunteers to ask questions regarding the future of the club to chair Billy Jacka, manager Jake Ash, head of men’s football Adam Fletcher and first team coach Andy Graham.

A wide-ranging discussion saw various topics covered from the player pathway to community engagement. One topic which was a theme throughout the evening was a need for more volunteers. This is true of all clubs in grassroots football. With that in mind we would urge anyone reading this who wants to help in any way, just an hour a week will make a big difference, to send your details to Daniel Tasker: secretary@mouseholeafc.co.uk Thanks to all who came along on the night and who sent in questions. The first team is in an amazing position competing at a level we could only dream about a few years ago so please come along to Interiora Trungle Parc to support them in any way you can. The club has a Women’s team and six youth teams who also need your support, please don’t be shy.

Mousehole 1-1 Bashley - Sat 5th April 2025

MOUSEHOLE 1-1 BASHLEY | 5th APRIL 2025 | SOUTHERN LEAGUE

Mousehole 1 – 1 Bashley

Promotion push takes a Bashing!

Mousehole records all its matches using a system called VEO. This camera stands at the half way line and follows the ball. When the images are put through the computer magic you get to see the whole match and also you are given a line along the bottom of the screen where white dots represent moments of action: shots and goals. Normally this line is filled. After the Bashley game there were a mere five dots. This was a match that most observers would agree was not just a must-win but a should-win. We know that no games in this division are easy and whilst the opposition were not to be under-estimated, after beating them at home by four goals in the FA Trophy, a win was on the cards.

Bashley came with a strong game plan: don’t concede and wait for an error at the other end. They were almost perfect in the first part of that and took ruthless advantage of the second part. A first half saw only two chances and both fell to Mousehole’s hitman Hayden Turner. The first had him latching on to a long through ball and firing towards the top corner only for the keeper to tip it wide. The second had him out wide on the right and lashing a shot just inside the post. Again, the visiting keeper was able to repel it. That was it. Nothing else to report.

Bashley had shown little going forward but with the first real chance of the second half they should have taken the lead. That it came with fifteen minutes left illustrates how difficult conditions were and how on top the defences had been. Faced with only Ollie Chenoweth to beat from ten yards out the Bashley forward panicked as the red blur hurled himself at the ball. The shot was rushed and blocked by Ollie much to the relief of the home fans. It looked very much like this was going to be a no score draw until with four minutes left on the clock Ryan Barrett took matters into his own hands. Well feet, you know what I mean. He stole the ball from a dawdling Bashley midfielder near the half way line and burst forward. A couple of touches and then he released the pass of the match, if not the pass of the season. It took three defenders out of contention and rolled perfectly into the path of Turner. The weight of pass was so good that he did not need a touch, he just sprang into action and rolled it under the keeper. The celebrations lasted forty seconds.

This was a smash and grab victory to set Mousehole up for the run-in.

Life is not like that and football has a way of kicking you when you’re up. Within thirty seconds of the restart the ball was in the Mousehole net. To quote Shakespeare and call it a Comedy of Errors would hide the pain that the concession caused but do it we must. A hopeful Bashley punt upfield was knocked down to Hill. His clearance didn’t cross the halfway line, where Sullivan was beaten to the header by the yellow-shirted centre half. This header was met by Ward but the ball went more up than away and landed on a Bashley head which sent it forward again. Derham was beaten to it where it fell between Barrett and a forward, the forward won it but sent it spinning into the air. When it landed Fresneda was beaten to it by the player who’d sliced it. He pushed it to the right, beat a Derham challenge and then smashed it home. The finish itself was great but what led to it was hard to watch. There was no time left to mount a serious effort to retake the lead and so two points were dropped.

It’s happened before this season and the Seagulls have bounced back and taken flight again. They need to find the resolve and the reserves of energy to do so again. The season may only have four matches left but there is still everything to play for.

WILLAND ROVERS 3-0 MOUSEHOLE | 29 March 2025 | Southern League

WILLAND ROVERS 3-0 MOUSEHOLE | Sat 29th MARCH 2025

Willand 3 – 0 Mousehole

At all levels of football managers talk about moments. Moments that change matches. In some respects this game turned on such a moment. Could it be a moment that just turned a match, or could it be something bigger.

Mousehole arrived at Silver Street on the back of a record of only one defeat in 2025. With a play-off place still not secured and a target of a top three finish very much at the forefront of their thoughts they could have been expected to take all three points from Willand; a team lingering dangerously close to the relegation zone. It wasn’t to be.

The early exchanges saw the home side on top without really threatening Chenoweth’s goal and then the moment happened. Julio Fresneda was surging towards the box when he was cynically taken out after having played his pass. A direct free kick about 25 yards from goal was awarded. Tim Nixon and Hayden Turner stood over the ball for a few moments before the latter gave way and left the coast clear. Nicco stepped back a few feet and then fired a shot; straight and true. The keeper saw it but couldn’t reach it but the trajectory was just too high and it struck the bar. Seeming to defy physics the ball didn’t ping back off the bar but lolloped into the air and landed in the grateful arms of the keeper.

A team near the bottom of the table conceding early against high flyers almost always ends only one way so this moment was a turning point. Willand kept their sheet clean and from then on there was only ever one team in it.

Chances came and went for the hosts and it seemed only a matter of time before they broke the deadlock. It finally came shortly after the half hour. An intercepted Mousehole through ball was quickly transferred in the other direction. Three chances to stop the flow towards Ollie were missed and a slick move ended with Kempster playing in Brandon Bak to tuck the ball in to the net. It was the sort of goal that Mousehole like to score but here they were on the receiving end. It was a dagger blow that they never recovered from.

Only one down at half time is often a place from which the Seagulls recover, and recover well but that was not to be the case here. The expected barrage at the start of the second half did not materialise. Instead, the game was virtually over after fifty-three minutes.

The ball was lost in the Willand half when a Max Hill pass to Jack Symons was stolen with a little too much ease. A pass out wide to an unmarked Kempster who then played it first time in to the box to an unmarked Finley Rooke. He had time to let it bounce, steady himself, and score with a single touch.

That was game pretty much game over. When the final nails were hammered into the Mousehole coffin with twenty minutes left it was a goal that will send shivers down the spine of the travelling defenders and coaching staff. A long ball from the back was controlled by an unchallenged Rooke on the edge of the box. His second touch sent it under Chenoweth’s lunge into the net.

With their only shot on target in the second half coming with ten minutes left this was a match that Mousehole will want to forget quickly. When a couple of players are under par it is still possible to win but when almost everyone is not at their game the result is inevitable.

It was their second league defeat of 2025 and it has to be seen as a blip. Five games to go, still in third place, this team has its fate in its own hands. Last season saw the Seagulls win the last five games to clinch the final play off place. Something similar is needed now to snare a top three spot. Stay tuned.