Mousehole’s nine match unbeaten run on the road came to a disappointing end in Devon on a wet and dreary Saturday afternoon. Having won the last away game at table toppers Portishead this result comes not just as a surprise but as something of a wake-up call. 

The seagulls started the match the way they had ended the game against the Posset*. They were dominant in every area of the pitch and could’ve been three nil up after fifteen minutes. That they only managed one goal during this period lead ultimately to the defeat. (*Portishead nickname – who knows?) 

Mousehole took the lead thanks to some great work from Alex Cairo. He wriggled into the box and following three or four or maybe five step overs he was taken down by a flummoxed defender. When not a single Bideford player argued with the referee as he pointed to the spot it was clear Cairo had been cut down illegally. Liam Prynn walked to the spot with the ball in his hands but it was Hayden “The Hitman” Turner who actually took the kick. The keeper went the right way but the shot was precision itself; smashed into the inside netting. 

What happened next defied expectation and came as a shock to players, management and fans alike. One nil up away from home and it felt like normal service until a long through ball down the left was allowed to reach the Bideford centre forward, he sprinted past James Ward and rolled it between the stranded Ollie Chenoweth’s legs. 

Scores level after fifteen minutes and it was anyone’s game until, that is, a disastrous kick-off. A long pass back to Olly, where he was left unprotected against an onrushing forward meant that his kick was rushed and was blocked by the advancing forward. The knock down fell kindly and so the the forward had an empty net in which to double his and Bideford’s tally. 

The stuffing, no Christmas pun intended, had been well and truly knocked out of the travelling Mousehole players. That they got to half-time only one goal down was a blessing. The question was could they turn the game around in the way they had away at Portishead. The answer sadly was no and it arrived very soon. Early in the second-half another straight through-ball found the Bideford forward in splendid isolation once more. And once more Olly was left unprotected and could only flail as he was nut-megged once more. 

A triple substitution brought some extra energy but it was only as the ninety minutes approached that Mousehole managed some attempts on goal. They pulled one back thanks to Prynn knocking in from a Turner cross. Bideford managed to play out eight added minutes with intelligent game management and the game was lost. 

A crisp boxing day welcomed a match between two fierce local rivals which attracted a bumper crowd of seven hundred and forty two! Sadly the entertainment on the pitch failed to live up to the festive mood on the terraces but either side could have won a tight contest. 

Nil nil draws are as rare as hens’ teeth and yet this was Mousehole’s second in just foiur games. So maybe for the boys in white and green goalless draws and really like London buses. If nil-alls drawers are really as rare as hens teeth then clear-cut chances in this match was rare as hens’ toothbrushes.  

The best early chance fell to Hayden Turner after he had been pole-axed by the first of many robust Falmouth challenges. Maybe it was the weather and the softer ground but the visitors seemed intent on putting some stiffeners from the start. Turner jumped back up, brushed himself off and headed for the posse of players now crowding the edge of the box. Ed Harrison lined up to float a cross to the back post but here was a training ground free kick par-excellence. As the Falmout defenders were on their heels looking for the main threat, namely ex-Mouthian James Ward, Harrison played a ball into the inside right channel seemingly to no one. Turner emerged from the pack as the ball entered the box. He caught up with the ball, swivelled and smashed it just wide. The move deserved a goal for the deception alone. 

After thirteen minutes Mousehole were nearly undone by a straight ball over the top. This could well be the epitaph of this season. The Falmouth number seven split the centre halves, spun in the area and found a team-mate. Had he possessed an ounce of composure it would have been a goal but he snatched at the chance and the ball flew over the bar and in to the car park. This was the first to end so high of the mark but not the last. So many of the Falmouth efforts ended in the car park that some wag in the crowd suggested that Prince William may have put a goal in there. 

The best chance of the half, nay the match, fell to Jack Symons near the half hour. A long throw from the right by Harris was flicked on by Nixon and found Simmo haring on to it. He took one touch and then with the goal gaping could only hit it straight at the advancing keeper. 

Falmouth’s best effort came not long after, and for once the car park was safe. A reasonable move saw the ball shifted across the box until it reached the left edge. The diminutive Falmouth player struck it hard and low and it was heading for the far inside netting until Chenoweth dived full length to push it wide. 

The rest of the half saw a lot of huffing and puffing, mainly from your correspondent trying to keep warm, but no one came as close again. A tight first half with chances pretty evenly split set up a second half full of possibility. Whether the Christmas turkey had started to settle, or the players were fatigued by the winter conditions, the second half saw little action at either end. 

Possibly the best chance fell again to Simmo. He started the move himself when he fed Turner on the right, he moved it on to Harris, who found Prynn in the area. He jiggled this way and that before cutting it back to Simmo. Sadly, the shot did not match the move and the keeper could drop his hat on it, as they used to say in the 1930s. Late on Simmo turned provider when setting up Turner twenty yards out. He pushed it into the box but curled it just over. 

And with that the match petered out. Blood red skies hung over Interiora Trungle Parc as these two mid-table sides failed to find the cutting edge that would have ended their years with a bang. The result was probably just about right but Mousehole will be regretting another two lost points at home. 

Mousehole opened the current campaign with a painful three nil defeat at Malvern. The visitors arrived on the back of a run of seven wins from eight and sat comfortably in the play off places. Mousehole, meanwhile, had a record of no home league wins since the end of September. Thus the omens weren’t good as Interiora Trungle Parc once more defied the weather to provide a great surface for football. 

The early exchanges were an accurate reflection of the teams’ league positions with most of the action taking place in or around Ollie Chenoweth box. None of the chances created by Malvern seriously threatened the goal but it was a one way street for the first ten minutes.  

Mousehole’s first and, as it turned out, only chance of the first came soon after they had withstood the initial Malvern onslaught. Alex Cairo won the ball in midfield and played it out wide to debutant Iestyn Harris. The recent arrival rolled a first time pass in to the path of Hayden Turner as he sprinted into the area. The hitman took one touch before firing towards the far post. The keeper got the merest of touches and sent it wide. 

The deadlock was broken shortly afterwards when a Chenoweth kick was hoofed straight back in to the Mousehole defensive third. As the ball arced towards the Solom Browne stand Jacob Kevern and James Ward allowed the Malvern forward, Walton to get between them. The ball bounced once and Kevs, fatally, allowed it to bounce a second time. Walton pounced, chopped inside and  fired past Chenoweth. It was a soft goal to concede and it deflated the home ranks, on and off the pitch. When you’ve not won at home for so long you need a lucky break but there were none here. 

From then till the break the home faithful were hoping that it wouldn’t get worse. Chances came a-plenty but Malvern couldn’t increase their lead. Mousehole were looking like a team in need of a reset and as half time approached it looked like they would get their wish and go in just one down but that’s not the way things have gone this season. A late forward push was turned over and suddenly Malvern had four against three. It was just a question of whether they had the composure to take advantage. 

The first shot was kicked away by Chenoweth who had adjusted well when the goal bound effort was redirected at the last moment. Sadly for the Seagulls’ custodian his save went straight to a free forward who could pass it home undisturbed buy any defenders. The scorer was the aptly named Jesus Quintas but it was Mousehole who had given the early Christmas presents. 

The second half was a totally different affair. Malvern seemed happy with their day’s work and set out to soak up whatever Mousehole could chuck at them. As it happened, that was quite a lot and on many occasions it looked like the comeback was on only to be thwarted by a brave block or a great save. 

When the deficit was halved it came from the best Mousehole player on the pitch. Alex Cairo had been the only player in the first half to come out with any credit and he continued to shine in the second, having two good efforts stopped before he scored. 

A corner on the left was sent to the back post where James Ward nodded it back into the danger zone. Ed Harrison lashed at it but his weak connection turned into a perfect pass as the ball ran to Cairo who smashed it home. 

At that moment it felt like Mousehole would at least draw, if not win this game, such was the shift in momentum. With twenty five minutes to go it looked like a real possibility but whilst most of the play was at the car park end Mousehole never forced the keeper into a save. There was lots of huffing and puffing and energy but not enough guile to the break lock. 

It was, in the end, a valiant effort in the second half, but like so many times this season the game had been lost in the first forty-five. If Mousehole want to return to winning ways at home they need to start games like they finished this one. 

Melksham 0 – 0 Mousehole 

It has been two hundred and ninety-four days since Mousehole were last involved in a goalless match* and many watching this game will still be wondering how this one stayed nil nil. (*Tavistock, away – 15^th Feb)  

Melksham came into this fixture on the back of successive victories, the first time they’d achieved this feat this season. Therefore what, couple of weeks ago, would have been a probably victory, became, on paper, another tough away for the Seagulls. 

It was at the Meads of Melksham Community Football Stadium on the last day of last season that Mousehole’s hopes of a play-off place finally fell thanks to a two all stalemate. This season has seen the road trips being more productive but as we enter the meaty part of the campaign draws need to be turned in to victories. 

Based on the number and quality of chances created in this match by both sides the Xgs were something like 2-2. 

Melksham had the best of the early chances as the rain poured down and they even had the ball in the net after twenty minutes. Following a sustained period of pressure the ball fell to one of their forwards on the left hand edge of the box, he miscued his shot but it went straight to a team mate who poked it home. Luckily for the greens and whites the scorer was offside. 

Not long after this the Mousehole Tal(lan)isman Mitchell was forced off thanks to a pulled hamstring. He was replaced by Tim Nixon and much to the away fans relief it was Mousehole who started to take control. 

Maybe it the scare from the offside goal, or a slight reorganisation but something sparked Mousehole into action and they got a foothold in the game. A Hayden Turner long range effort from a free kick was blocked on its way towards top bins and the resultant corner showed that Mousehole, with a rare midweek off, had been working on set pieces in training. A slick move which saw the ball played in to the feet of an advancing Tim Nixon was defelcted to the edge of the box where Turner struck goalwards* only for it to be well saved by the keeper. (*Redacted by the Set Piece Coach.) Mousehole were now on top and it felt like the momentum they had achieved would see them lead at the break. 

With moments to go Mousehole won another corner. It went to the far post where Ward nodded it down to Nixon. He laid it back to Paulo Sousa, back in the starting line-up, and he took a touch and blazed it high over the bar when it was really easy to take time and pass it in to the net.*. Not long after, the whistle went and both sides trudged off with a strange mixture of relief and satisfaction. (*Redacted by Paulo Sousa.) 

If honours were shared in the first half, even a neutral would have come away from the second half thinking it was Mousehole who deserved the win. They had the best of the chances starting when Turner blocked the keeper’s clearance and passed to Symons in the box. He took his time, jinked this way and that before unleashing a shot which the keeper did well to save. Melksham meanwhile were limited, by a strong Mousehole backline, to long distance efforts which Ollie Chenoweth dealt with easily. 

The closest the Seagulls came was a Turner thunderbolt from distance that smashed the bar but ultimately neither side could break the deadlock. We’ve asked the question before this season; two points dropped or one point gained? Let’s leave it there. 

Location: Mousehole Association Football Club, Paul, TR19 6AZ
Contract: Voluntary (with immediate incentives & a pathway to a paid full-time role)

To Apply: Email ben.gibson@vattenfall.com

Mousehole AFC is growing — on the pitch, in the stands, and throughout the community. As the club continues to build momentum, we’re looking for a passionate, driven individual to take on a key role at the heart of our matchday and community operations.

This is an opportunity to help shape the fan experience, strengthen our local presence, and be part of an ambitious club with big ideas and even bigger potential.

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What the Role Is All About

The Matchday & Community Engagement Manager will be central to boosting attendances, elevating the matchday atmosphere, and embedding Mousehole AFC deeper into the fabric of West Cornwall. This role blends event management, community outreach, and creative marketing — perfect for someone who loves football, people, and making things happen.

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What You’ll Be Doing

Matchday Experience & Events

From pre-match buzz to the final whistle, you’ll help create a matchday experience that keeps supporters coming back.

• Plan and deliver activities that engage fans of all ages
• Coordinate with staff, volunteers, and partners to keep matchdays running smoothly
• Develop themed fixtures and family-friendly initiatives to boost crowds

Community Engagement

The club wants to be more present than ever in local schools, youth groups, and community organisations. You’ll be the face of that effort.

• Build and deliver outreach programmes across the area
• Introduce the club into schools via workshops, player visits, and grassroots projects
• Represent Mousehole AFC at community events and strengthen local partnerships

Fan Growth & Supporter Engagement

Growing the Seahorses’ fanbase is a huge part of the role.

• Develop creative campaigns to attract new supporters
• Support and grow supporter groups
• Gather and respond to feedback to keep improving the fan experience

Clubhouse & Facilities

The clubhouse is a key community hub — and a valuable source of income.

• Promote the space for community, commercial, and private events
• Help generate extra revenue through functions and partnerships

Marketing & Promotion

Working with the club’s media and marketing team, you’ll help drive visibility across the region.

• Promote events and community programmes
• Boost the club’s presence in local media, schools, and social platforms

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What We’re Looking For

Skills & Experience

• Experience in community engagement, event management, sports development, or a related field
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to juggle multiple projects
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• A creative mindset for fan engagement and event ideas
• Understanding of grassroots football (desirable but not essential)
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and matchdays

Personal Qualities

• Passion for sport and community involvement
• Self-motivated, proactive, and comfortable working independently
• Friendly, approachable, and professional
• Enthusiastic about delivering exceptional matchday experiences

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Why Join Mousehole AFC?

Although this is a voluntary role to start, the club offers:

• Immediate incentives (commission / revenue share on sponsorship, events & clubhouse use)
• A clear route to a paid full-time position, based on performance and club growth
• Free matchday access
• Hands-on experience in sports management, events, and community development

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If you’re excited about helping grow a dynamic, community-driven football club — we’d love to hear from you.

Become part of the Seagulls’ journey. Apply now. Email: ben.gibson@vattenfall.com

Mousehole AFC launches schools season ticket scheme

Mousehole AFC have taken another step in strengthening our bond with the local community by launching a new scheme that invites schoolchildren — and an accompanying adult — to every home match free of charge. The initiative, introduced this season, aims to open the doors of the club to families across the area and give young supporters a closer connection to their village team.

This week, manager Jake Ash visited Mousehole School to speak to pupils about the club, the season ahead, and what it means to represent the village. It didn’t take long for the children to put him under pressure.

“It was a really lovely day,” Ash said. “Mousehole School is an amazing place, and Dax Ansell — who works there and is a big Mousehole fan — invited me in to do an assembly and chat to the pupils. They were a fantastic group, and it was great to see so many of them at the game on Saturday.

“Engaging with the local community is really important to us. The kids came onto the pitch afterwards to get autographs and soak up the atmosphere. We didn’t get the result they’d have hoped for, but hopefully the experience gave them a taste of what Mousehole AFC is all about — the noise, the energy, everything that makes this club special.”

Teacher Dax Ansell, who helped organise the visit, said the impact on the pupils was immediate.

“Anything that strengthens our community links is such a positive,” he explained. “It gives the kids a sense of the wider community and their role in it — something to aspire to. They absolutely loved Jake’s visit… I’m not sure if they enjoyed it more than he did!

“He was brilliant with them. They asked loads of questions, and having an outside voice — especially someone connected to football — really lifts them. It was a fantastic experience.”

That excitement carried straight into Saturday’s home match against Bishops Cleeve, where a group of Mousehole School pupils took part in the pre-match walkout and handshake with the players. At half-time they were back on the pitch again, this time for a penalty shootout — with midfielder Tallan Mitchell, sidelined that day, volunteering to go in goal and play the role of pantomime villain and local hero all at once.

The club love having the children around and we’re already looking to expand the scheme to more schools across West Cornwall.

If your school would like to get involved, please contact the club secretary at: secretary@mouseholeafc.co.uk.

At Mousehole AFC, the heartbeat of the club isn’t just on the pitch — it’s in the people who give their time, energy and passion to keep our community thriving. Volunteering with a local football club is one of the most rewarding ways to make a difference: you meet new people, learn new skills, support grassroots sport, and become part of something bigger than yourself. 

Whether you have a few hours to spare on match days or can help behind the scenes, your contribution helps create the welcoming, positive environment our club is known for.

Our club secretary and kit man Dan Tatarsky recently wrote about the benefits of volunteering for Mousehole. You can read his thoughts here: https://www.mouseholeafc.co.uk/it-makes-you-feel-part-of-something-bigger-volunteering-at-mousehole/

                               Current Volunteer Roles

🔐 Steward – Matchday Security
Help us ensure supporters enjoy a safe and friendly matchday experience. This role is perfect for someone confident, approachable, and passionate about keeping our club welcoming for all.

🍻 Bar Person
If you enjoy meeting people and being at the centre of the matchday buzz, this is a great fit. You’ll help serve supporters with enthusiasm and help maintain the warm hospitality Mousehole AFC is known for.

🅿️ Car Park Attendant
Be the first friendly face our visitors meet. A vital role in keeping things running smoothly, you’ll help manage parking and provide a great first impression to home and away fans.

🧹 Cleaners
Behind every great club is a team that keeps things spotless. If you take pride in creating a clean, safe environment for players and fans alike, we’d love your support.

🛒 Sales Coordinator

We’re looking for someone to help promote our fundraising sales, in particular our wall plaques in association with the RNLI

If you’re interested in any of these roles — or simply want to learn more — please contact us at deryk.heywood@gmail.com

Every hour given makes a real difference.

Thank you for being part of Mousehole AFC.
Up the Seagulls!

Brixham 2 – 3 Mousehole

Having already produced ten goals in the previous two meetings this season this match was always going to be a goal fest but with honours even at one win each the result was difficult to predict. Brixham are usually strong at home but their previous match at The More Seafood Ground (sic) had seen them lose four one so the bookies were unsure which way to go.

Having gone five games unbeaten on the road it was no surprise that Mousehole started this game strongly. Whilst the Fishermen had some long-range efforts which put the housing estate behind the goal in danger they never looked like scoring but the Seagulls were as clinical as a laser.

The first goal, after eight minutes, followed a flowing move with passes pinging between the players like an AI controlled pinball machine. The move ended with a shot from Mark Goldsworthy which was too powerful for the keeper to hold and when he spilled it Liam The Poacher Prynn was there to dink it home.

The Devonians were still getting over their disappointment at going behind when their night got worse and Jack Symons smacked one past the keeper. If Simmo was the finisher this was a goal made on the magical foot of Tallan Mitchell. His slide rule of a pass took out half the Brixham team and ran perfectly into the path of our very own midget gem. The keeper got a hand to it but again the shot was too strong for him to stop.

Two nil with ten minutes gone and yet another fabulous band of away fans were already dreaming about double figures. For the next ten minutes Mousehole played like 1970s era Brazil, then it all went nuts!

Having not increased their lead the men in white continued to push forward but in a less disciplined fashion. Maybe it was over confidence brought on by the ease of the first two goals but, whatever caused it, suddenly the tide turned and Brixham had pulled one back. The ball was lost in midfield and moments later it was in the net.

This should have caused Mousehole to turn on game-management mode and see out the first half but nothing changed and the momentum had shifted. Brixham saw blood and went for the throat; they piled on the pressure forcing six corners in as many minutes and whilst these were well repelled the home side did draw level before the break. Again, possession was given up too easily in the middle and unchallenged, Brixham smacked one into the far corner of the net.

Level at the break felt like being behind but the travelling ‘Gulls just needed reminding of what had got them the lead in the first place. Jake Ash took the half time break to push the Control-Alt-Delete button and reset the team back to the start mode. Who knows what he said but it worked.

Whilst the second half did not see so much of the scintillating attacking play of the opening ten minutes, Mousehole took control from minute forty six and never let it go. Brixham barely had a shot in the second half and it was only the away side who looked like scoring. They first came close when Tim Nixon hit the bar and then they took the lead with under half an hour to go.

A move reminiscent of the first ten minutes ended with the ball at Prynn’s feet. He looked into the box and could have picked out any one of three team mates. He plumped for his fellow striker Goldsworthy who accepted the invitation with his usual calmness. Three two up with thirty to go. The Seagulls have seen situations like this many times this season from both sides of the scoreline and have on occasion let leads slip but that wasn’t going to happen here. The back four flew into every challenge and block like their lives depended on it. There simply was no way through this wall made of pasties and scones with the jam on first.

A win is always sweet but under the lights in the next-door county when breath freezes as it leaves the lungs is the sweetest of all. A young wag had taunted the boys as they arrived with shouts of: “remember when we beat you in the FA Cup” and so your reporter took much joy in wishing the same youth good luck for the rest of his cup run as we left with three points.