A tight first half in which Mousehole just edged it on chances, ended 1-0 to Willand thanks to a penalty following a defensive mix up.

The second half began with another penalty for Willand, this one hotly disputed by the home team, and a surprise to Willand. River Allen scored again.

Goldsworthy pulled one back after 65 mins

The Willand no. 7 was sent off for an off the ball incident and shortly afterwards Mousehole were level thanks to Hitman Hayden Turner.

Late on Willand saw another red card.

In spite of the two man advantage Mousehole were unable to force the winner and so they do it all again on Wednesday.

Full Time 2-2

MOTM – Tim Nixon

Mousehole’s No 9 looks back over a life in Cornish football 

It’s July 1998. In Paris, the French national team clinch their first ever World Cup with a win over Brazil. England have exited at their then customary early stage, this time in part thanks to a David Beckham red card. In Cornwall, Vindaloo by Fat Les is blaring out of every radio on the beach. And in Ashton, between Helston and Penzance, a six-year old Mark Goldsworthy is spending all day in the garden. 

“I was quite shy and when I was finding my feet as a young boy my first memories are just of me, living in my garden, with about ten or twelve footballs lined up just peppering them at goal. We called it The Meadow – dad planted loads of bushes around so it was fully protected. And as I got older, dad, bless him, kept building goals to suit my size. So obviously, you can imagine, they started off very small.” 

The 1998 World Cup is Mark’s earliest memory of football. His hero was Ronaldo – “the real one” – and it wasn’t long before he moved from the back garden to playing for the local team. But being nervous and lacking in a certain self-confidence, he needed a push.  

“To be honest, most of it is down to down to dad. He pushed me. He knew I was half decent at that age and at primary school in Germoe I started to realize that I was quite a lot better than the other lads around me. There weren’t that many of us so I didn’t have a massive amount of competition, but I always felt like I was ahead of them. I think that built my confidence and dad pushed me over the line to sign for Rosudgeon which was my first team. And from then on I never looked back.” 

From there Mark moved to Wendron and after that to Helston where he went to secondary school. It’s a time he remembers fondly, moving  up with the boys he’d played with and against in the local villages. At school it was just “football, football, football” and the friendships grew stronger. Helston then formed an under 15s youth team which Mark joined and, in his words, “won everything”.  

But then it was time to move up to men’s football. 

“Yeah, again, that was Dad, because I was a bit nervous to make that jump to the men’s game. Obviously, as you can imagine, back then in lower leagues of local football you would meet some characters that wouldn’t take kindly to a skinny 15-year-old running around. So, yeah, dad pushed me. He literally just said, right, get your boots on and jump in the car. And I think it was Mawgan or somewhere like that. I just turned up for Helston 3rds or 2nds and came on with half hour to go and scored a couple. And that was the end of boy’s football.  I was all in men’s football from that minute on” 

Mark went on to have two spells with Helston Athletic either side of a stint with St Austell. He notched up over 300 goals in the South West Peninsular League and was made the Blues captain. In his last season he was well on his way to winning a fourth consecutive Golden Boot before COVID ended the campaign prematurely. As a proud Cornishman, he feels playing football here is special. 

“Characters are formed in football down in Cornwall. Everyone seems to know you. And it’s all well and good being successful on the pitch but I think there has to be a part of it off the pitch as well where you have that fun and build those relationships with so many different people. And I think that’s what’s good about Cornish football – there’s a close-knit community. Maybe it’s a bit different for the likes of us that have rattled through the leagues and left behind a lot of local clubs –  but they’re still the heartbeat down there, aren’t they? The lower league sides where I go into the clubhouse and have a pint. I always know people there that over the years I’ve built  friendships with and they’re still there. And I think that is a vital part of Cornish football.” 

Goldie signed for Mousehole in November 2020 and went on to become an integral part of the squad that won the Western League in April 2023.  

“That day meant everything to me. I had thought that season was possibly the end of me, with the injuries I had with my head, my shoulder. I thought, No something’s telling me: ‘Just stop. You’ve had a great career down here in football. You’ve enjoyed it. Loved it. And I thought that that was the end. So it was really nice to cap that especially with people like Burty who’s now retired and barely kicked the ball since. At Mousehole it’s such a different culture to anything else I’ve seen. It’s so special in the fact you’re bringing these boys together as one, and we are so different. So to do it with so many different personalities and characters it was just such an amazing day. And obviously doing it on the last day – although it’s not nice before the game –  but after the game, that’s the best way to win a league.” 

Goldie dislocated his shoulder in the first weeks of last season and through a stroke of luck was treated on the pitch by a leading German surgeon who happened to be staying at the club’s campsite. The injury has plagued him ever since and he’s finally getting it operated on this November. Coming on the pitch at 32 years old, strapped up by physio Beth Prouse and battling to keep his shoulder in its socket, he’s often asked why he carries on.  

“I don’t know. It’s a massive addiction, isn’t it – Football? 

After the third dislocation up in Melksham when I broke all the bones in there, I remember saying to Ashy that I can’t do it. And he’s like, we need you back. But then I has a few months out and I barely watched the game. But I saw us when we lost at home in the rain – a flat performance with no fire. And I hate losing.  I was just looking thinking I can still improve us. I can still bring something.  There’s a hole in this team which is sort of my shape. The boys bring all the technical ability – they’re a joke you know. But I think I just help bring that winning mentality to us. So I just knew I wasn’t quite done, even though I was in so much pain, and even though my shoulder’s now gone nine times. I still can’t let it go. I still cannot let it go.” 

Mark acknowledges that as the oldest squad member he’s something of a father figure to the younger players – although he admits that, as a Guinness drinker and pasty eater, he’s not a role model! He knows however that after his surgery he’ll struggle to regain his number 9 shirt but he’s leaving his options open until he has to make the decision on his future. But he’s sure of one thing -his focus going forward will be on his own family. Mark’s two sons were there at Trungle when Mousehole won the league and his eldest still talks about that day, running around the pitch in the green smoke of the flares. Although the future is unclear, Goldie knows until the last minute he’s going to give his all to the club.  

“I think I still offer something, because I know I’m helping the boys. And when the day comes and I know I stopped helping them, and I bring nothing, and I’m a negative effect on the pitch. That’s me done. But until then I want to be a leader. I want to lead the boys. I’m old-school. We don’t really have that old-school mentality or behaviour, straight talking. That’s not really a thing in modern football. But I just think that that’s what I bring and that is rubbing off on the boys. I’m at the stage where I don’t want to think about no football whatsoever in my future, but I do think when I stop playing, that will be me. And then hopefully one or both of my little boys will get into it, and I can just go and watch and have another pint.” 

Mousehole’s last match of the 2023/24 season was a disappointing loss in the Play-Off Semi Final away against Frome but the sun was out for the return to action for The Seagulls, the country’s most Westerly club.

The visitors, Evesham Utd, had been one of the few teams to take all three points away with them from Trungle Parc last season so it promised to be tough game. With several new faces in their line-up Mousehole started brightly and both sides had chances but Mousehole broke the deadlock. A great diagonal from Max Hill released new boy Jordan Hackett, his immediate control allowed him to cross for Goldsworthy to finish from close range.

There were few other chances and the half ended 1-0.

Evesham had the best of the first 20 mins of the second half creating a few good chances but their shooting was always off target.

Turner missed a penalty for Mousehole after 70 mins when Mitchell had been felled. A great save by Harris.

Near the end Aaron Heap was red carded for a foul on Mousehole’s Symons. The ensuing melee led to four bookings, two on each side!Evesham still pushed hard but couldn’t draw level. A delighted Trungle celebrated a first league win of the season.

MOM Ryan Barrett MAFC

Full Time 1-0

END OF AN ERA AS DERYK HEYWOOD STANDS DOWN AS MOUSEHOLE CHAIRMAN

After six years of relentless hard work and unprecedented success, Deryk Heywood has decided to stand down as Chairman of Mousehole AFC’s Committee.

In 2018, with Mousehole’s First team then playing in the South West Peninsula League Division One West (Step 7), Deryk joined the Club as General Manager, having previously served as Chairman of Porthleven AFC.  

It’s one of the measures of the Club’s success during Deryk’s tenure that Mousehole now ply their trade in the Southern League at Step 4 – and in reaching that level they became only the second-ever team in Cornwall to do so.

After Tim Richardson ended his five-year stint as Chairman, Deryk was voted in as his successor, and his work for the Club since then has in effect combined the role of Chairman and General Manager, always as an unpaid volunteer.

With his unceasingly busy, ambitious and determined attitude, Deryk has overseen dramatic changes at the Club, while at the same time managing a successful restaurant business – almost adding up to two full-time jobs at the same time!

He will be remembered for his drive in setting up the many stadium improvements at Trungle Parc that would have seemed no more than a pipedream all those years ago, and which provide a lasting legacy for future generations of members, supporters and players.  

Liverpudlian Deryk first came to Cornwall very nearly 50 years ago, and indeed had a spell at Mousehole as a goalkeeper from 1977 before moving on to play for Penzance.  

He is a well-known, popular and affable character on the Cornwall football scene, with a seemingly endless list of personal contacts – as well as memories and anecdotes! – always ready to shake hands and stop for a chat.

While still having a great deal to offer to the game, his overall Committee responsibility has now passed on to Billy Jacka, Mousehole’s award-winning groundsman, who was voted in as Chairman at the Club’s recent AGM.

Deryk’s ‘Personal Statement’ follows.

*****

A PERSONAL STATEMENT FROM OUTGOING MOUSEHOLE CHAIRMAN DERYK HEYWOOD

“It has been a great privilege and honour to have served as  Chairman of Mousehole Football Club for the past six years.

On reflection, it’s now time for someone else to take the helm and help drive the club towards further success.  So, with my best wishes, over to Billy Jacka and his team to maintain and take forward what we have all done exceptionally well to achieve.

Mousehole has always had a well-regarded reputation, and with a huge amount of togetherness we have developed it into a leading Cornish football club, in many ways ‘against the odds’.

Everyone who attends our recently developed stadium, whether a regular or a visitor, agrees it’s a friendly and welcoming place to be, with a good matchday vibe.  We can all be proud of that. 

Our major achievements include:

• sourcing major sponsorships for First Team campaigns in three different Leagues – Peninsula, Western and Southern – as well as advertising boards that fill every inch of pitch-side space;
• improving the matchday experience with our hospitality offer, a supporters’ ‘terrazzo’, a tea hut selling genuine Cornish pasties, club merchandise shop, and bar offering a great range of beers;
• upgrading the stadium facilities with the Solomon Browne Stand at the car park end, a new 100-seater stand opposite the clubhouse, turnstile access, and a dedicated media section; and
• much-acclaimed media coverage which has captured attention far and wide

The Club-owned campsite has provided the mainstay of income.  It’s enabled us to do two things: invest in club facilities: and in the campsite itself, which now has its own separate entrance from the football club, electric hookups, hard standing pads for all-year round motor homes and caravans, a recreation meadow, and improved water and ‘elsan’ points.

On the playing side, the First Team has progressed from Step 7 of the non-league system to Step 4, the Development Team is pushing for promotion from Step 7, the Women’s Team has a constant inflow of eager newcomers, and the Youth section spans the whole age-range.

All these developments have, of course, come with a price tag – some of them quite hefty – including the overall cost of operating at Step 4.  The club’s collective ambition has now seen it reach a stage where both expenditure and income require a serious and diligent business-like approach to consolidate the gains made and to improve its financial basis sustainably.  That’s the challenge from now on.

One of the Club’s greatest assets is its freehold ownership of over six acres of land at its Trungle Parc HQ, held in trust, very importantly, under a ‘community’ rather than ‘ownership’ model of governance.

Currently, an unused parcel of land on the perimeter is subject to the Club’s  planning application for constructing five affordable homes, the intention being to sell the plot for the benefit of local younger people and provide an essential boost to the Club’s future financial health.  A lot of work and preliminary expenditure has already gone into this project.  Some of the net proceeds are earmarked for a much-needed new access road.

Planning permission has already been granted to the Club to construct a new access route running directly from the Newlyn to Lands End road, thereby relieving the village of Paul from all traffic to the football club and to the campsite.  This will make the current (and notorious!) rutted entrance driveway a thing of the past, while also making it feasible to develop the clubhouse for non-football activities and commercial income. 

I extend a huge ‘thank you’ to all Committee Members, Officers and Directors, volunteers, supporters, sponsors, advertisers, and each of the football teams and support staff – who have in their different ways, and over a prolonged period, played their part in making Mousehole the great club that it is today – a true collective example of The Seagulls “Flying All Together’. 

And my sincere best wishes for its deserving future.

Deryk

Southern League Div One South – 2024/2025

Read what Corey Jewell had to say!

I am absolutely delighted to be joining Mousehole Developments coaching set up for this coming season.

I have had the privilege of meeting Drew and Will this season through their links with the Argyle CofE and mine at West Cornwall Schools Football Association, and I can’t wait to be joining them at this special club this season.

Having previously worked at Pendeen and most recently Helston, as well as my role in the WCSFA, I have begun to build a great knowledge of superb local talent and I am really looking forward to being able to implement that at Mousehole this year.

We are all hoping that our coaching qualifications and implementation (all 3 of us qualified at UEFA level), along with some quality signings to an already talented squad, will be the missing pieces of the jigsaw to see us promoted as champions!

I’m looking forward to getting to work and meeting you all soon.

Corey 💚

Mousehole AFC manager Jake Ash says he’s “honoured and humbled” after signing his first contract with the club. Jake will be taking the first-team helm again as Mousehole embark on their second campaign at Step 4.

“After 5 amazing seasons, Mousehole has become a massive part of my life. It means so much to me and I want to do everything I can to make it successful for all the brilliant people who make everything possible.”

Their first-ever season at that level saw the club finish fifth in the South League Division One. They went on to lose 3-0 to Frome in a rain-soaked playoff semi-final in early May. Despite that defeat, Mousehole finished the season in the highest position ever achieved by the club.

“Firstly I have to thank the players, without what they’ve achieved this wouldn’t happen. Their energy and commitment absolutely energises me and I can’t wait for another year working with them. “

Next season sees the league expand to 22 teams, including two local Cornish derbies for the first time at this level. Jake says he’s relishing going on the road again with the team and backroom staff as they aim to improve on last season’s impressive debut at Step 4.

“It’s a massive nod to all the staff but especially Fletch and Andy, who’ve been with me every step of the way. I’m so fortunate to work with them and that I get to look forward to another year on a bus with them! “

Jake is putting his faith in the future by keeping loyal to the approach that has worked so well this far.

“Although it feels like a big step, it won’t change what we do or how we work. We will continue to work relentlessly to provide the best environment we can for the players. This club is so passionate about developing people and that’s a massive part of the attraction for us all.”

The next campaign kicks off with a series of pre-season friendlies, starting with a match away at Penzance on July 12th. Mousehole also welcome back Exeter City for the second year in a row on Monday July 15th. Tickets for the Exeter City match will go on sale later this week.