by Jeff Richardson

MOUSEHOLE AND SALTASH IN HIGH-INTENSITY DRAW

Mousehole 1-1 Saltash United

Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Tuesday 2nd August 2022

At Trungle Parc

Summary

The two top-performing Cornwall teams in last season’s Western League came head-to-head in a competitive end-to-end encounter, both having won their opening games of the new campaign and each coming close to grabbing all three points in front of a large and well-entertained crowd.

Pre-match points

The Seagulls started off with a 5-1 win at newly promoted Torpoint Athletic on Saturday, while The Ashes, under new management this season, recorded a 2-1 home win against Clevedon Town.

This evening, Mousehole are missing captain Jack Calver, Mark Goldsworthy and Callam Mconie through injury, while new signing Andy Watkins is unavailable.  Josh Magin returns to the squad, and the other major summer arrival Reece Thomson makes a home debut against his former club.

The visitors have the experienced goal-getter Adam Carter leading their attack.

There’s a lot of green grass on the pitch surface after being well looked after in recent weeks.

The key moments of the match

Mousehole kick off towards the Cricket Club End. 

4 minutes:  The home side are on the front foot, with Louis Price firing wide of the far post after a quickly taken Tallan Mitchell free kick

10 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – the injured Paulo Sousa is replaced by Josh Magin, with Louis Price moving leftwards and the new sub taking up the right wing position

15 minutes:  Callum Merrin has a clear sight of goal from a central position just inside the area but volleys a long way over the bar

19 minutes:  Incisive passing enables Tallan Mitchell to break free on the right and put in a low cross just out of reach of his team-mates

28 minutes:  Saltash’s Mike Smith threatens danger but drives high and wide under pressure

30 minutes:  Josh Magin’s right-sided cross is too strong to enable Louis Price to control his header in the box

31 minutes:  Adam Carter touches an Ashes corner over the bar as he falls backwards

34 minutes:  Captain Mark Richards makes an excellent interception in front of goal to end a dangerous Saltash attack

35 minutes:  Saltash come close again, this time as a header from a corner drops just wide of the post

36 minutes:  Josh Otto’s smart defensive work in the six-yard box stops Mike Smith’s low cross finding a target

37 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Just when an Ashes goal looked imminent, the scoring opens at the other end.  Josh Otto is felled by Jake Miller’s very late tackle as he places a searching pass into the Saltash half.  With the Referee indicating an advantage, HAYDEN TURNER races clear and drives a fierce shot into the top near corner from just inside the area on the right.

40 minutes:  So close!  Keeper Jordon Duffy somehow gets in the way of Hayden Turner’s six-yard shot after being set up by Louis Price’s square pass

41 minutes:  Duffy in vital action again, as Andy Elcock’s chipped pass puts Hayden Turner in on goal

43 minutes:  Hayden Turner looks to have put Josh Magin through on goal but Callum O’Brien’s foul 40 yards out makes sure he doesn’t progress – at the expense of a yellow card

Half time:  Mousehole finish the half on top and with a 1-0 lead, but the play has swung one way then the other, in a fast and physical 45 minutes.

The second half

49 minutes:  Hayden Turner creates a shooting chance for Tallan Mitchell on the edge of the box, with a defender deflecting the goal-bound effort

53 minutes:  An Ashes defender does well to block another powerful Tallan Mitchell drive

57 minutes:  The visitors surge forward and Jake Miller goes to ground in the penalty area – but Referee Green ignores the loud claims for a foul

58 minutes:  Ashes substitute Sam Hughes is through on goal and is denied by a superb block by keeper Ollie Chenoweth

59 minutes:  Mike Smith is the next to threaten for the visitors, shooting wide of the near post on the run

61 minutes:  Saltash continue the momentum, Mark Richards saving his side by bravely diverting a 20-yard shot aimed at the corner of the net

68 minutes:  GOAL FOR SALTASH UNITED.  A prolonged period of pressure by the visitors is rewarded with the simplest of goals, CALLAM O’BRIEN converting a floated corner with a downward header from an unmarked central position six yards out.  Mousehole 1-1 Saltash United.

68 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Reece Thomson is replaced by Jared Sims

71 minutes:  Inside the last 20 minutes and Mousehole get back on the offensive.  Hayden Turner latches on to Louis Price’s through-ball and rounds the keeper but shoots into the side netting from an angle on the left

74 minutes:  The ball is threaded through to Jared Sims in a great position in front of goal, only for keeper Duffy to smother the chance

77 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell drives at goal again, and again a defender blocks the shot

85 minutes:  Mousehole are having a lot of possession, but Saltash are defending in numbers and looking to counter on the break

90 minutes:  The woodwork comes to the visitors’ rescue!  Hayden Turner is face-to-face with advancing keeper Duffy inside the area.  His chip shot beats the keeper but hits the far post and rebounds across the open goal with no attacking player on hand.

Full-time:  It ends 1-1 after an ebb-and-flow game in which either side might have capitalised more on their good periods.

Mousehole (with used substitutes)

Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Josh Otto, Mark Richards, Max Hill, Paulo Sousa (Josh Magin), Tallan Mitchell, Steve Burt, Andy Elcock, Reece Thomson (Jared Sims), Louis Price, Hayden Turner.   Other substitutes:  Jamie Devine, Jack Symons, Kyle Fraser

Match officials

Jonothan Green (Referee) with Neil Rudkin & Ken Swift (Assistants)

Attendance: 212

Next for Mousehole

This Saturday, 6th August, 3pm: 

Away at Barnstaple Town (Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round)

Tuesday 9th August – three possibilities:

  • 7.45pm HOME v Falmouth Town, Western League Premier Division; or
  • 7.45pm HOME v Barnstaple Town, if FA Cup Replay needed; or
  • No game if Mousehole win or lose at Barnstaple, and Falmouth are involved in an FA Cup replay

Saturday 13th August, 3pm:

Away at Ashton & Backwell United (WLP)

Tuesday 16th August, 7.45pm:

HOME v Millbrook (WLP)

Goals and Reaction | Saltash 2nd August 2022
by Jeff Richardson

SEAGULLS GET NEW SEASON OFF TO A FLYING START WITH BIG AWAY WIN

Torpoint Athletic 1-5 Mousehole

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 30th July 2022

At The Mill

Summary

Mousehole came from behind after an indifferent opening, and after a couple of game-changing moments dominated the remainder of this east versus west Cornwall ‘derby’, much to the delight of their large away following

Pre-match points

This is an eagerly anticipated first match of the new season.  The hosts won promotion to Step 5 as South West Peninsula League Champions having notched up 100 points and 150 goals, while conceding just 32, as well as winning the SWP League Cup.  The visitors finished in third place in their debut campaign in the Western League, having been in contention for a second successive promotion until the final days of the season.

Mousehole are without five of their first team squad – Jack Calver, Mark Goldsworthy and Callam Mconie through injury, while Andy Watkins and Josh Magin are unavailable.

Today’s 16-man squad shows recent signing Reece Thomson as the only addition to last season’s group

In a newly introduced FA rule, the number of ‘used substitutes’ has been increased from three to five

There’s a good crowd inside the ground, probably approaching half of whom are Seagulls supporters.  The weather is fine and the pitch surface is bone-hard with very little green grass after the recent dry weather.

The match as it happened

12 minutes:  GOAL FOR TORPOINT ATHLETIC.  The hosts have been on the front foot so far, but they get a lucky break as the ball bounces up sharply against Max Hill’s outstretched arm, Referee Hunnisett awards a penalty and RYAN RICHARDS converts to keeper Ollie Chenoweth’s left.

20 minutes:  Loud appeals for a penalty at the other end are unheeded as Louis Price is wrestled inside the box.

24 minutes:  There’s been a lot of misplaced passing on the hard surface, but Tallan Mitchell makes a promising run followed by a goalbound shot which a defender heads out for a corner

30 minutes:  Double drama!   Torpoint take a quick throw near the corner flag while Mousehole are disputing the decision, Ryan Richards turns on the ball and is fouled, and the referee awards another penalty.  This time Ryan Richards powers his spot kick the other way and Ollie Chenoweth makes a superb save, beating the ball out to his right for a corner. 

35 minutes:  After that reprieve, Mousehole are starting to put their game together.  Hayden Turner volleys hastily over from 18 yards after keeper Jason Peters punches out a cross under pressure

37 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Hayden Turner swerves a corner kick into a crowded six-yard box, the ball drops down and LOUIS PRICE turns 180 degrees to fire  home.  After Ollie Chenoweth’s penalty save seven minutes ago, that’s another significant moment for Mousehole – an equaliser while not playing at their best.

39 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell makes another run, with his 20-yard shot kept out by the sprawling keeper

42 minutes:  Mousehole are now getting better control of the play.  Paulo Sousa aims for the top corner from a 25-yard free kick but the ball deflects off the top of the defensive wall.

At half-time it’s 1-1.  Torpoint might have been two goals up before Mousehole got going, but the visitors have come back strongly.  An interesting second half in prospect, with Mousehole surely needing to make a better start.

 The second half

48 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Half-way inside his own half, Paulo Sousa spots HAYDEN TURNER ready to move in the centre circle, his carefully-placed long forward pass enabling the striker to outpace his marker and score with a composed low shot past the keeper.  Torpoint 1-2 Mousehole.

52 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  TALLAN MITCHELL spins on the edge of the Torpoint 18-yard line and swerves an immaculate right-foot shot into the top left-hand corner with keeper Peters motionless.  Mousehole have come from behind to score three away goals in 14 minutes of playing time – somewhat reminiscent of the performance at Buckland Athletic last season.

56 minutes:  Louis Price gets on to Hayden Turner’s pass, turns and drives just too high from 12 yards.

60 minutes:  A rare threat from Torpoint as defender Elliot Crawford’s fierce shot from 25 yards is tipped over by Ollie Chenoweth

66 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Mark Richards’ downward header from a right-sided corner is partially blocked by the keeper and defenders on the line and LOUIS PRICE is in the thick of the action as he prods the loose ball into the net for The Seagulls’ fourth.

71 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Steve Burt is replaced by Jared Sims

73 minutes:  Mousehole continue to have the upper hand, Tallan Mitchell putting Hayden Turner through on goal and round the keeper for an angled shot into the side netting

76 minutes:  Torpoint’s Darren Hicks puts in a dangerous low drive which Ollie Chenoweth saves smartly at the foot of the near post

77 minutes:  Torpoint come close again as a header from the corner is cleared off the line by the well-positioned Max Hill

79 minutes:  Mousehole substitutes – Louis Price is replaced by Jack Symons, and Reece Thomson by Charlie Willis

80 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Max Hill is at the other end now, heading Hayden Turner’s corner goalwards – the keeper parries the ball but the alert TALLAN MITCHELL drives the ball left-footed into the roof of the net from near the corner of the six-yard box

85 minutes:  Hicks again makes ground on the left for Torpoint but his shot from an angle goes into the side-netting

87 minutes:  Mousehole substitutes – Paulo Sousa is replaced by Kyle Fraser, and Mark Richards by Jamie Devine, with Andy Elcock taking over the captain’s armband.  Another bit of history – for the first time in a competitive match, Mousehole have five substitutes on the pitch, half their outfield players

At full time, the scoreline reads Torpoint Athletic 1-5 Mousehole.  That penalty save an hour ago now a distant memory.  For Mousehole, a great start to the season, but a slow start to this match!

Mousehole (with used substitutes)

Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Josh Otto, Mark Richards (captain) (Jamie Devine), Max Hill, Paulo Sousa (Kyle Fraser), Andy Elcock, Tallan Mitchell, Steve Burt (Jared Sims), Reece Thomson (Charlie Willis), Louis Price (Jack Symons), Hayden Turner

Match Officials

Neil Hunnisett (Referee), with Robert Aitken & Alan Turner (Assistants)

Attendance: 164

Next for Mousehole

This Tuesday, 2nd August, 7.45pm  

HOME v Saltash United, WLP

Saturday 6th August, 3pm:

Away at Barnstaple Town, FA Cup Extra-Preliminary  Round

Tuesday 9th August, HOME, 7.45pm, against:

Either Falmouth Town, WLP

Or Barnstaple Town if FA Cup replay needed

 

by Jeff Richardson

MOUSEHOLE COMPLETE PRE-SEASON PREPARATIONS IN STYLE

Liskeard Athletic 0-3 Mousehole

Pre-Season Friendly

Friday 22nd July 2022

At Lux Park

Friday night football drew a sizeable crowd to watch the Step 6 hosts against the Step 5 visitors, with Mousehole exerting their authority to record a welcome ‘clean sheet’ win in their final warm-up game before the start of the Western League season next weekend.

33 minutes:  Slick passing opens up the home defence, enabling Reece Thomson to drive forward to the corner of the six-yard box and square the ball to PAULO SOUSA at the far post for a right-footed shot past the covering defenders on the line

61 minutes:  Skilful interplay outside the penalty area gives TALLAN MITCHELL the space to deliver a swerving right-foot drive from 18 yards into the far corner past keeper Luke Gwillam’s full-length dive

79 minutes:  Surging forward from midfield, Andy Elcock touches the ball just inside the area to ANDY WATKINS who instantly drives an unstoppable shot into the net

Attendance: 162

This completes The Seagulls’ six-game pre-season programme, having won four (all away at Wadebridge, Wendron, Tavistock and Liskeard), lost one (home against Plymouth Parkway) and drawn one (home against St Austell), involving a combined total of 30 goals scored to entertain supporters with lots to think about and look forward to.

Mousehole’s season proper starts next Saturday, the first three matches being:

Saturday 30th July, 3pm, away at promoted Torpoint Athletic*

Tuesday 2nd August, 7.45 pm, HOME v SALTASH UNITED

Saturday 6th August, 3pm, away at Barnstaple Town (FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round)*

*Coach seats are available for supporters – see online for details

by Jeff Richardson

ANOTHER PSF, ANOTHER ENTERTAINING GOAL FEAST

Mousehole 3-3 St Austell

Pre-Season Friendly

Wednesday 20th July 2022

At Trungle Parc

After Saturday’s eight-goal bonanza with higher-ranked Plymouth Parkway, Mousehole continued their pre-season programme against SWPL side St Austell, the visitors scoring three quick-fire goals in six second-half minutes before the hosts replied with three of their own in 13 minutes.

The key points

The first half

Mousehole are constantly on the attack but The Lillywhites’ young defenders are resolute, and at half-time, with the aid of some near-misses and the woodwork, they’ve earned the 0-0 score line.

The second half

The visitors have offered little as an attacking force in the first 45 minutes, but amazingly they fly into a 3-0 lead before the hour mark with a trio of strikes in six minutes.

53 minutes:  CAMERON BIDGOOD sends in a long looping cross from way out on the left which finds the net via the inside of the far post

56 minutes:  RORY JARVIS takes advantage of hesitation and space in the home defence and fires home with a low shot from inside the area

59 minutes:  The same again – this time it’s NEIL SLATEFORD, and it’s 0-3.

71 minutes:  Mousehole reduce the deficit as HAYDEN TURNER latches on to Jack Calver’s chipped pass and drives a low left-foot shot just inside the far post 

79 minutes: It’s 2-3 after a muddled clearance by keeper and defender leaves HAYDEN TURNER with an open goal from the edge of the area

84 minutes: Youngster RYAN TOWNSON makes it 3-3 from close range, converting Jude Boyd’s cross after impressive footwork near the left-hand byeline

Mousehole are now in full flow against their tiring opponents, but can’t make the most of the several chances created to add to the goal rush.

Next for Mousehole

The final PSF:

Friday 22nd July at Liskeard Athletic, 7.30pm

The first League games:

At Torpoint Athletic, Saturday 30th July, 3pm (coach seats available for supporters)

At home, Tuesday 2nd August v Saltash United, 7.45pm

by Jeff Richardson

ENTERTAINING FOOTBALL ON SHOW AS MOUSEHOLE AND PARKWAY STEP UP PRE-SEASON PREPARATIONS

Mousehole 3-5 Plymouth Parkway

Pre-Season Friendly

Saturday 16th July 2022

At Trungle Parc

 

In the first home match in their pre-season preparations, Mousehole faced opposition from two leagues above, the classy visitors sailing into a 5-0 lead before The Seagulls mounted a stirring comeback to narrow the scoreline thanks to a Hayden Turner hat-trick – an enthralling afternoon for the 132 spectators in cooler conditions than recently.

The goals:

3 minutes:  Parkway’s BILLY PALFREY strikes an immaculate 20-yard free kick into the top left corner

11 minutes:  Jack Crago outpaces everyone on the left to provide a low cross from the byeline which RIO GARSIDE converts with a low shot inside the six-yard box

21 minutes:  The same approach play this time by Ryan Lane creates an unmissable chance for the perfectly positioned RIO GARSIDE.

31 minutes:  Parkway are physical, fast and sharp – RYAN LANE dispossesses Mousehole in midfield and drives deep into defensive territory before placing a low left-foot shot past keeper Ollie Chenoweth for a 4-0 lead.

36 minutes:  Recent signing from Exeter City Ben Seymour speeds into the penalty area on the left and his dangerous low cross bounces into the net off MAX HILL for an unfortunate own goal.

45+3 minutes:  Mousehole reduce the deficit with the last action of the first half:  Tallan Mitchell delivers a low free kick from the left and HAYDEN TURNER scoops the ball left-footed into the net via a defender’s deflection.

Half-time score:  Mousehole 1-5 Plymouth Parkway

49 minutes:  Mousehole get an early goal with a well worked move – Callam Mconie’s lofted cross to the edge of the box is headed on by Reece Thomson for Andy Watkins to supply a low cross from the right and HAYDEN TURNER finishes it off from six yards.  Scoreline now 2-5.

70 minutes:  It’s now 3-5 as HAYDEN TURNER completes a hat-trick, using his pace to intercept a back pass, take the ball round keeper Kyle Moore and coolly slot home from a narrow angle on the right.

Full time score:  Mousehole 3-5 Plymouth Parkway.  The hosts have given their Step 3 Southern League Premier guests a run for their money in this eight-goal football exhibition, and can take many positives from this performance.

Next for Mousehole:

Their fifth pre-season fixture is at home this Wednesday 20th July, against Step 6 South West Peninsula League side ST AUSTELL, kick off 7.30pm.

Two days later they complete their pre-season schedule with a visit to SWPL side LISKEARD ATHLETIC on Friday 22nd July, kick off 7.30pm.

The Step 5 Western League Premier Division season starts on Saturday 30th July, away at promoted TORPOINT ATHLETIC (3pm)

Then follows the first home League match on Tuesday 2nd August against SALTASH UNITED (7.45pm)

by Jeff Richardson

MOUSEHOLE IN HOT FORM WITH BIG PSF WIN AT TAVISTOCK

MOUSEHOLE IN HOT FORM WITH BIG PSF AT TAVISTOCK

Tavistock 2-4 Mousehole

Pre-Season Friendly

Saturday 9th July 2022

At Langsford Park

After two away wins against Step 6 teams – 1-0 at Wadebridge Town and 5-1 at Wendron United – Mousehole faced the biggest challenge of their pre-season programme with a trip to last season’s Western League Premier champions Tavistock, now promoted to Step 4 Southern League.  But on a very hot day The Seagulls swept aside the hosts with a convincing 4-0 first-half display, to run out winners despite a second-half comeback by The Lambs.

The goals:

7 minutes: Andy Watkins plants an expertly-judged pass into the stride of HAYDEN TURNER, who fires left-footed past the advancing goalkeeper into the far corner from just inside the box.

12 minutes:  Penalty!  Jack Calver is fouled as he latches on to Andy Elcock’s chipped pass into the box, and HAYDEN TURNER converts the spot kick for a 2-0 lead.

There’s a much-needed drinks break after 25 minutes.

45 minutes:  It’s 3-0 with a CALLAM MCONIE header from six yards as Paulo Sousa drives deep into home territory on the left, enabling Hayden Turner to provide the perfect cross.

45+2 minutes:  With virtually the last action of the first half, Mousehole get a fourth goal, CALLAM MCONIE sending a low left-footed free-kick from 20 yards round the defensive wall and into the far corner with the keeper beaten by the power of the shot.

Half-time:  Tavistock 0-4 Mousehole

64 minutes:  Tavistock win a penalty and last season’s Western League top scorer LIAM PRYNN reduces the arrears from the spot.  Now 1-4.

Another drinks break at 70 minutes as the temperature shows no sign of dropping.

75 minutes:  JOSH GRANT gets a second goal for The Lambs with a low drive from the edge of the penalty area.

Full time:  Tavistock 2-4 Mousehole

Next:  Mousehole’s first home game in their pre-season schedule is next Saturday(16th, 3pm) against Plymouth Parkway, who were promoted as champions from the Southern League Division One and start life this coming season as a Step 3 team.

by Jeff Richardson

SEAGULLS IN PRE-SEASON GOAL FORM AT WENDRON

Wendron United 1-5 Mousehole

Pre-Season Friendly

Tuesday 5th July 2022

At The Underlane

Mousehole made their second warm-up away trip to a South West Peninsula League side after the 1-0 win at Wadebridge Town on Saturday, this time recording a more comfortable scoreline against their hosts, who achieved an impressive third place in the League last season.

The goals:

8 minutes:  Hayden Turner’s right-wing corner kick to the far side of the six-yard box is headed back across goal by Mark Richard’s where LOUIS PRICE places a first-time left-footer into the roof of the net from eight yards.

23 minutes:  It’s 2-0 to Mousehole as TALLAN MITCHELL finishes off a fine passing move with a 20-yard curler into the far top corner of the net.

Mousehole make several personnel changes at half-time.

56 minutes: Recent signing from Penryn Athletic RYAN REEVES scores for the hosts, put through by a quickly taken free kick 20 yards out with the visitors’ defence unprepared.  Wendron United 1-2 Mousehole.

75 minutes:  Mousehole restore their two-goal lead.  Louis Price creates the opening just inside the Dron’s box for CALLAM MCONIE to drive a low left-foot shot into the far corner.

78 minutes:  A quick goal makes it 4-1.  Harry Downing sprints at speed to the byeline on the right and his low cross is belted first time high into the net by CALLAM MCONIE from the edge of the six-yard box with his less-preferred right foot.

86 minutes:  LOUIS PRICE’s close-range tap-in makes it 5-1 with the home defence failing to clear their lines.

Next:  In preparation for their second Step 5 Western League Premier season, Mousehole travel on Saturday (9th) to Tavistock, kick off 3pm.  The Lambs were promoted as WLP champions last season to the Southern League, and have recorded big wins in their two home PSFs so far: 5-0 v Falmouth Town and 4-1 v Liskeard Athletic.

by Jeff Richardson

USEFUL START FOR MOUSEHOLE’S PRE-SEASON PROGRAMME

USEFUL START FOR MOUSEHOLE’s PRE-SEASON PROGRAMME

Wadebridge Town 0-1 Mousehole

Pre-Season Friendly

Saturday 2nd July 2022

At Bodieve Park

A 78th-minute Louis Price goal gave The Seagulls a closely-fought win against their South West Peninsula League opponents in the first run-out after the summer break, with Manager Jake Ash giving game time to 22 players including a number of new signings, and 90-plus people enjoying an entertaining spectacle full of good football by both sides.

Mousehole’s goal, coming amid a series of top-class saves by man-of-the-match Bridgers’ goalkeeper Rob Rosevear, was from a typical back-to-front move.  Young debutant keeper Lewis Moyle gave Josh Otto the chance to advance 30 yards in possession, midfielder Jack Calvert’s quick turn took two opponents out of the equation, Andy Watkins’ movement created space for youngster Greg Eastman to receive the pass inside the penalty area on the left, and his composed square pass gave Louis Price the chance to side foot home from 15 yards.

Next up in Mousehole’s preparations for their second season in the Western League is a trip to another Step 6 side Wendron United on Tuesday 5th July, with the kick off at Underlane at 7.30pm.

KIERAN STEPHENS JOINS IPSWICH TOWN
by Jeff Richardson

MOUSEHOLE’S PERFORMANCE ANALYST MOVES UP TO IPSWICH TOWN

MOUSEHOLE’S PERFORMANCE ANALYST MOVES UP TO IPSWICH TOWN

Mousehole are proud to announce that their performance analyst Kieran Stephens has been recruited by League One club Ipswich Town.

This is a major step forward in his young career, after spending three years at Mousehole in a ‘behind the scenes’ role providing detailed analysis of video footage of the First team’s fixtures.

Manager Jake Ash speaks very positively of Kieran:

“He has worked so hard to refine our analysis programme, so that we can give better feedback to the players on their performance.  He has been incredibly diligent in analysing every video recording, which is a hugely time-consuming process.”

“I spoke to Ipswich as part of their recruitment process, and it was clear that the work he has done with us had really impressed them.  We are so pleased to have played a very small part in helping him to develop his skills and to step up into the full-time game.  I just hope he can still help us next season!”

A Sports Science student at Liverpool John Moores University, Kieran will have a one-year internship at Ipswich Town, working mainly with their Under-23 and Under-18 teams.  He says he faced a tough test during the recruitment process, being required to analyse a match video and present his key findings.

“At the Ipswich interview, my role at Mousehole certainly raised eyebrows – they found the approach used by Mousehole very unusual for that level of football.  But it’s been my ambition since the age of about 14 to specialise in the use of data in football, as a means of supporting improvement – and I’ve been fortunate to be able to work with a club like Mousehole who also think this is the way forward.”

“It’s going to be massive for me to be working within the professional game – a huge learning experience.  Looking to the future, I hope to gain a coaching qualification and get a full-time job with a professional football academy.  In the meantime, I’ll be spreading the word about Mousehole and maybe finding a way to be still involved.”

Mousehole Director Kevin Bishop, a former BBC sports journalist and author of a recently completed eight-part series “Way Out West”, a film documentary on a year in the life of `Mousehole AFC, sees the club’s value in offering young people the knowledge and skills to help with their career choices.

“Kieran Stephens’ progress is a perfect example of what young people can go on to do after gaining practical experience working within the club.  Our recently launched sports media traineeship scheme has already attracted a lot of keen interest – I firmly believe this and similar initiatives at Mousehole can provide a pathway for people to develop real employment opportunities in a field of genuine interest to them.”

Andy Watkins Mousehole AFC
by Jeff Richardson

MOUSEHOLE’S SUMMER RECRUITMENT CONTINUES WITH SIGNING OF ANDY WATKINS

MOUSEHOLE’S SUMMER RECRUITMENT CONTINUES WITH SIGNING OF ANDY WATKINS

Mousehole have further strengthened their First team squad in preparation for their second season in the Western League, with the permanent signing of Andy Watkins from Southern League Premier side Tiverton Town.

The vastly experienced striker, who has just turned 37, spent a short period on loan with The Seagulls last December as he regained full match fitness after recovering from injury.

A regular goal-scorer throughout his career, Watkins is one of the south-west’s most respected players, having previously featured successfully across non-league Steps 2 to 6, including for his home town club Launceston, then Bodmin Town, St Blazey, Plymouth Argyle, Bideford, Truro City and Bath City.

Notably, he played from 2006 to 2013 alongside Mousehole Manager Jake Ash for the Truro City side who won the FA Vase at the New Wembley in 2007 – the lowest-ranked team to do so – and who also climbed up the Leagues in record-breaking fashion.

Jake Ash sees his latest signing – a fellow PE teacher – as a brilliant move for the club: 

“It’s taken a lot of hard work to finalise Watto’s arrival – but then it should do for a player of his quality.  He has won so much in his career, and spent the last ten years or so playing high up the non-league pyramid.  That quality, knowledge and experience is going to have an immense impact on our group.” 

“His footballing intelligence, work rate and attitude will definitely help the team push on further after last season’s debut campaign at Step 5.  He will also have a huge ‘role model’ influence on and off the pitch, including with the younger players eager to improve their game.”

“He has always been a ‘class act’ – I remember, as a player alongside him, admiring how well he looked after himself.  And that’s not changed – it no doubt explains why he continues to be the player he is now, and the intrinsic hunger he still has for the game.”

“I know he’s keen to reduce the travelling that’s been the mainstay of his life for so many years – but he also, importantly, still wants to be part of an ambitious set-up.  I can’t wait to work with him!”

Andy Watkins is Mousehole’s second important signing of the month, after the arrival of 22-year old attacking midfielder Reece Thomson from Saltash United.

  • Mousehole’s six-match pre-season programme starts in less than two weeks’ time, with away trips to two Step 6 sides, Wadebridge Town on Saturday 2nd July (3pm), then Wendron United on the following Tuesday, 5th July (7.30pm).
  • The Toolstation Western League season starts on Saturday 30th July, with Mousehole away to newly promoted Torpoint Athletic (3pm), followed by a home fixture against Saltash United on Tuesday 2nd August (7.45pm)
  • The Emirates FA Cup starts at the extra-preliminary round stage on Saturday 6th August, with the draw expected to be announced by the FA on Friday 8th July.