Mousehole 3-2 Buckland Athletic

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 29^th January 2022

At Trungle Parc

Mousehole scorers: Hayden Turner (1’), Tallan Mitchell (7’), Josh Otto (38’)

Summary

The Seagulls got back to winning ways to keep their place in the leading pack at the top of the table, helped by two early goals and a resilient second-half performance that overcame a spirited Bucks fight-back

Pre-match points

• Mousehole’s sequence of seven consecutive League wins came to an end last Saturday at lowly Ashton & Backwell United, so Manager Jake Ash has urged his side, who stand in 4^th place, to put that behind them and start another run.  In team news, Josh Otto moves from centre-defence to right-back, Max Hill and Callam Mconie return to centre-defence and right wing respectively, Billy Curtis drops to the bench, Mark Goldsworthy takes over as captain and new recruit ex-Plymouth Argyle and Truro City striker Jared Sims is a substitute.

• Buckland Athletic have an impressive recent history, becoming a senior side only in 1987 and progressing through the leagues to gain promotion to the Western League Premier in 2012.  In 2015 the Newton Abbot-based team were runners-up and since then have finished 4^th twice and 5^th.  They are currently 9^th in the table, with 10 wins and 8 defeats in their 23 matches, and have reached the 5^th round of the FA Vase.

• Before kick off, Mousehole Chairman Deryk Heywood and long-standing Committee member Peter Robinson presented Billy Curtis with a plaque recognising his 250 appearances for the club, having missed just five games in seven years. (pictured above)

• It’s dark, misty and drizzling, with the floodlights on from the start and a sizeable group of away fans sheltering in the Solomon Brown Stand

The match as it happened

1 minute:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Callam Mconie drives a low diagonal pass from right to left just inside the Buckland half, the flight of the ball deceives last man Rhys Fuller, leaving HAYDEN TURNER to race on and side-foot from the edge of the box past keeper Andy Collin’s left hand and into the far corner of the net.  Just 50 seconds on the clock.  Mousehole 1-0 up.

There’s now a delay because of an injury to the Assistant Referee.

7 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Hayden Turner rolls a pass from the left along the 18-yard line, where TALLAN MITCHELL shows great balance to take the ball into the area, wrong-foot two defenders and place the ball inside the near post from 10 yards.  Mousehole 2-0 Buckland Athletic.  Memories of last week’s missed early chances now forgotten!

10 minutes:  Jack Calver and Hayden Turner put Tallan Mitchell in with a chance but he half-hits his shot and Collin saves

13 minutes:  Hayden Turner collects from a short corner and swerves his shot past the far angle

15 minutes:  Keeper Collin makes a vital punch-out, as dangerous crosses come in from Hayden Turner on the left and then Callam Mconie on the right

17 minutes:  The visitors get a sight of goal, Josh Webber making some space on the left edge of the Seagulls’ box but firing too high

18 minutes:  Steve Burt has a 25-yard shot labelled ‘pile-driver’, and Frazer Clark does a great job in blocking it deep inside the penalty area

26 minutes:  Josh Otto is in an advanced position on the right – his cross beyond the far post is miscued wide by Jack Calver

28 minutes:  Callam Mconie brings the ball on to his left foot and his 25-yard shot bounces off the post to safety with keeper Collin beaten

29 minutes:  Referee Lazarus has stopped play on several occasions to hand out verbal warnings.  This time, after another long conversation, Buckland’s centre-back Rob Farkins is banished to the sin-bin for ten minutes.

30 minutes:  Can The Seagulls capitalise against the ten men?  Tallan Mitchell sends in a low free kick, Hayden Turner miskicks and Max Hill chips the loose ball just past the angle.

35 minutes:  Jack Calver side-foots wide from 18 yards after Hayden Turner’s typical left-sided run and cross

36 minutes:  GOAL FOR BUCKLAND ATHLETIC.  The ten men are back in it, as Tor Swann crosses from the right into the six-yard box where OLLIE APLIN is first to the dropping ball to convert from close range.  Mousehole 2-1 The Bucks.

38 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  JOSH OTTO is again deep in the visitors’ half on the right and has time to measure a cross, which evades Andy Collin’s outstretched leap and nestles just inside the far post.  A very rare goal for the youngster, whether he meant it or not.  Mousehole 3-1 Buckland Athletic.  An important response so soon after the visitors’ goal.

39 minutes:  Rob Farkins is back on and The Bucks are back to 11 men

43 minutes:  Hayden Turner is set up by Tallan Mitchell for a one-on-one chance on the left but the shot misses the far post

45 minutes:  The Bucks have a free kick just outside the ‘D’.  It’s driven low and hard, and deflected awkwardly, but Ollie Chenoweth is well positioned to collect safely on the slippery surface

45+1 minutes:  Half-time whistle with only 45 seconds of time added on.  Mousehole 3-1 Buckland Athletic.  The Seagulls don’t appear to have any hangover from last Saturday’s defeat – they have done enough to be much further ahead.  But the visitors look strong and well organised.  An interesting second half in prospect.

54 minutes:  Not much happening yet in the opening period of the second half, but suddenly Callam Mconie bursts forward on the right, tricks his way inside Owen Price and has a wonderful chance to score with only the keeper to beat – but Collin beats out the shot

56 minutes:  Buckland are camped in the Mousehole half, earning three corners in quick succession, all of them in-swingers.  Ollie Chenoweth has to be alert to parry a near-post flick.

67 minutes:  Josh Otto works his way clear down the right hand side with the visitors’ defence caught out of position.  His cross into the middle looks certain to result in a score for Hayden Turner coming in at speed but the wingman misses the target with the goal gaping.

68 minutes:  The visitors come very close.  Ollie Aplin heads a left wing cross down and goalwards where Ollie Chenoweth shows great reflexes to dive on the ball on the line and push it out.

70 minutes:  Ollie Chenoweth with another important save as he goes down at his near post to keep out Rob Farkins’ sharp header from a floated free kick from the right

20 minutes to go:  Buckland are creating momentum and pressure.  Have Mousehole done enough or will they regret a series of missed chances?

71 minutes:  Another Buckland corner goes dangerously across goal with no-one on the end of it

72 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Callam Mconie is replaced by Louis Price in a like-for-like change

73 minutes:  GOAL FOR BUCKLAND ATHLETIC.  It looked increasingly possible, but not like this!  ROB FARKINS is in unchallenged space midway through the Seagulls’ half  – he drives a swerving half-volley from maybe 35 yards into the top corner with Ollie Chenoweth getting a slight touch.  Mousehole 3-2 Buckland Athletic.  ‘Game on’, to coin a phrase!

76 minutes:  Keeper Collin thwarts Mark Goldsworthy by grabbing the ball as the striker tries to take the ball around him to the left of goal

77 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Mark Goldsworthy is replaced by Jared Sims up front, with Mark Richards given the captain’s armband

10 minutes to go:  The Bucks are full of energy and menace, but Mousehole are putting up a solid defensive show.  Space is appearing in the visitors’ back line as they search for (at least) a point, but The Seagulls are being caught offside in their eagerness.

81 minutes:  A goalbound shot from inside the hosts’ area is blocked by Jack Calver

88 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Kyle Fraser is replaced by Billy Curtis, a defender for a defender

90+4 minutes:  The visitors have created no more clear-cut chances and that’s the full-time whistle.  A welcome return to winning ways for Mousehole, and big credit to Buckland for the way they fought their way back into contention.    

What this result means

Mousehole move up a place to 3^rd, three points behind Exmouth Town with two games in hand, and 13 points behind leaders Tavistock with five games in hand.  Nine of the remaining 15 League matches are against teams currently in the top 10, including home and away ‘doubles’ against Exmouth, Keynsham and Helston.

Mousehole line-up (with used substitutes)

Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Josh Otto, Max Hill, Mark Richards, Kyle Fraser (Billy Curtis), Tallan Mitchell, Steve Burt, Jack Calver, Callam Mconie (Louis Price), Mark Goldsworthy (C) (Jared Sims), Hayden Turner.  Other substitutes: Charlie Willis, Jamie Devine

Match officials :  Michael Lazarus (Referee) with Dave Bartlam & Samuel Doble (Assistants)

Attendance : 158

February Mousehole fixtures (all Western League Premier, 3pm)

This Saturday, 5^th February, HOME v Bridgwater United

Saturday 12^th February, Away at Clevedon Town

Saturday 19^th February, HOME v Keynsham Town Saturday 26^th February, Away at Brislington

Ashton & Backwell United 1-0 Mousehole

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 22^nd January 2022

At The Lancer Scott Stadium

Summary

Mousehole’s magnificent run of form, which has seen them move from the lower reaches of the League to a challenging position in the leading pack, came to an end at the hands of a hard-working Ashton & Backwell side, with the hosts converting their one chance and the visitors’ possession counting for nothing on this occasion.

Pre-match points

• Third-place Mousehole travel once more up the M5 having won 12 of the last 14 League matches, including 7 wins in a row.  They are without defenders Max Hill and Paulo Sousa and joint leading scorer Callam Mconie.

• The hosts had a change of name ten years ago when Backwell United absorbed Ashton Boys club.  Backwell United were formed in 1911 and joined the Western League Division One in 1983, gaining promotion to the Premier Division in 1995, but being relegated back to Division One in 2006 and then back to the Somerset County League in 2008.  They went back up to the Western League in 2013 and moved upwards again this season to the Premier Division on the basis of their points-per-game over the two previous abandoned seasons (as did Mousehole).

• The first half of this season proved to be tough for Ashton & Backwell, leaving them in last-but-one place in the Division.  But having shown a definite upturn in form in the last month they are unbeaten in their last three home matches and closing in on the cluster of teams above them.

• It’s a cold but dry and bright afternoon, with the pitch having recovered from heavy overnight frost.

Key moments of the match

4 minutes:  Mousehole come close to the opening goal as Mark Goldsworthy breaks through and crosses invitingly in front of goal but Tom Anthony does a great job in getting back to poke the ball out for a corner before Hayden Turner can capitalise

5 minutes:  Mousehole again as Tallan Mitchell’s left footed drive after a short corner flashes past the near angle

6 minutes:  Kyle Fraser makes good progress down the left and his dangerous cross is well held by home keeper Lewis Coombes

7 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell makes space for a low cross from the left but Coombes again handles it safely at the foot of his near post

8 minutes:  Off the line twice!  Hayden Turner’s low cross goes into the six yard box where Mark Goldsworthy’s goal attempt is scuffed off the line.  Louis Price picks up the loose ball and his shot is deflected wide heroically by Joe Bishop with keeper Coombes beaten.

The first 15 minutes: it’s been sustained pressure by Mousehole, with obstinate defending by the hosts.

26 minutes:  Louis Price looks likely to score with a header from Hayden Turner’s cross but Joe Bishop’s aerial presence knocks him off balance and the chance goes wide.

30 minutes:  Louis Price feeds Hayden Turner for a penetrating run and fierce shot, with Coombes well positioned to save

31 minutes:  Ashton & Backwell’s first real sight of goal – a loose ball drops just inside the box for winger Henry Sady but the youngster volleys hastily high and wide

33 minutes:  That has encouraged the home side to venture forward.  Mousehole’s earlier dominance has disappeared.  Miles Hardidge has a half chance from an angle but fires wide of the near post.

37 minutes:  GOAL FOR ASHTON & BACKWELL UNITED.  The hosts have been pressing vigorously as Mousehole play out from the back.  This time it works for them as Miles Hardidge steals the ball and passes inside for SAM PRICE to convert high into the net past the exposed Ollie Chenoweth.  A&B 1-0 Mousehole.  The visitors might have been well ahead by now but it’s one mistake, one goal.

40 minutes:  From a Mousehole a free kick Tallan Mitchell has a great chance from close in but keeper Coombes pulls off a superb point-blank save.

45+3 minutes:  At half-time it’s 1-0 to the hosts – an improbable scoreline on the balance of play, but their energetic closing-down has begun to neutralise the visitors’ fluency.  Will Mousehole make their class pay in the second half?

48 minutes:  Against expectations it’s Ashton & Backwell who come close to the next goal.  After they force a corner a goalbound shot is cleared off the line amid loud (but unsuccessful) claims for handball

60 minutes:  The play has been scrappy since the interval, but Hayden Turner has a 20 yard shot skim wide of the far post

68 minutes:  Mousehole are dominating possession but space in the final third is extremely limited.  Keeper Coombes is again in the right place to save a Hayden Turner drive at his near post.

69 minutes:  Ashton & Backwell’s left-sided corner somehow threads its way low across the six yard box with no-one getting a touch

70 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Steve Burt is replaced by Sean Roberts in a similar midfield role

15 minutes to go.  Mousehole with plenty of possession but no clear-cut chances as the home side defend their precious lead

80 minutes:  Scorer Sam Price scoops a low right-sided cross wide of the near post

81 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Billy Curtis is replaced by Jack Symons, with the youngster taking up position in the attack

82 minutes:  Hayden Turner races to the byeline and his low cross is nudged wide of the near post by Mark Goldsworthy

84 minutes:  Solid defending by Ashton & Backwell as two goalbound shots in succession from inside the box are blocked before they can trouble the keeper

85 minutes:  Jack Symons fires one in – it’s deflected for a corner

86 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell’s swerving shot from 20 yards misses the far angle

90 minutes gone – Referee will add on several minutes for injuries, substitutions and ‘game management’ by the hosts

90+4 minutes:  Jack Symons places a lofted shot from 18 yards just wide of the far post with keeper Coombes nowhere near it

90+5 minutes:  Jack Symons bravely takes the ball through on goal but is scythed down by Joe Bishop 30 yards out.  Nothing comes from the free kick.

90+6 minutes:  At full time it’s Ashton & Backwell United 1-0 Mousehole.  The home side have got through with nearly 100 minutes of sheer determination, but, importantly, taking advantage of the one gift that came their way to make it four home games without defeat.  Mousehole will reflect on that first period when they might have been comfortably ahead, and how to make headway against a team pressing all over the field.

What this result means

Mousehole drop down to fourth place in a tightly packed top-7, but they still have games in hand over all the teams around them.  The defeat comes on a day when leaders Tavistock dropped two points, as did Bitton, while Exmouth Town and Bridgwater United both won – the latter at Helston Athletic – to take over second and third place. 

Mousehole line up (with used substitutes):  Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Billy Curtis (captain) (Jack Symons), Mark Richards, Josh Otto, Kyle Fraser, Steve Burt (Sean Roberts), Tallan Mitchell, Jack Calver, Louis Price, Mark Goldsworthy, Hayden Turner. 

Other substitutes: Jamie Devine, Charlie Willis, Jake Ash.

Match officials:  George Gross (Referee) with Damon McEllin & Andie Lambourne (Assistants)

Attendance: 85

Next up for Mousehole

This Saturday, 29^th January:  Home v Buckland Athletic, 3pm

Saturday 5^th February:  Home v Bridgwater United, 3pm

Mousehole 2-0 Brislington

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 15^th January 2022

At Trungle Parc

Scorers:  Jack Calver 42’, Callam Mconie 86’

Summary

After a four-week enforced break, Mousehole started their Centenary year with a patient win over a hard-working Brislington side, a late goal in each half securing the points to move the team up to third place in the table and extend an impressive run of form to 12 wins in the last 14 League matches.

Pre-match points

• Fifth-place Mousehole start the second half of their inaugural Western League Premier season looking to take advantage of one of their games-in-hand over their closest rivals.  Only two points currently separate second-place Bridgwater United from seventh-place Ilfracombe Town.  So, with today’s fixtures including fourth-place Exmouth Town hosting third-place Bitton, Bridgwater in FA Vase action and Helston Athletic playing at Saltash United in the Cornwall Senior Cup, it’s an opportunity for The Seagulls to move up the table having won 11 of their last 13 League games.

• A Covid outbreak at Mousehole led to the League postponing their Boxing Day clash at Helston and the New Year’s Day home encounter with Exmouth, which was followed by another blank last Saturday because of Clevedon Town’s waterlogged ground.  As a result, this is The Seagull’s first competitive match since 18^th December, a 6-2 away win at Street.

• Brislington, today’s visitors from south-east Bristol, have been a Western League Premier side for nearly 25 years.  They are currently in 14^th place with 24 points from 21 games, and are unbeaten in their last three games.  As an indication that they will provide tough opposition today, they have a much better away record than home form, and have recently drawn at both higher-placed Ilfracombe and at Buckland Athletic.

• Today’s is another in the series of ‘first-ever’ matches between Mousehole and clubs in the Western League, which illustrates the benefits and challenges of life for The Seagulls after promotion.  The return match at Brislington is on Saturday 26^th February.

• Mousehole’s team news is that all the Covid-affected players are now in good health and there have been no further positive cases. There are also no injuries to the usual first team squad, so Manager Jake Ash is faced with the nice problem of deciding on the starting XI and the substitutes.  Jack Calver, signed from Bideford in early December, makes his full home debut, while on-loan Andy Watkins has returned to Tiverton.

• Before kick off it’s started to rain, the floodlights on from the start in the gathering gloom, the pitch surface is on the soft side, and the Youth-section mascots are doing their job impeccably.

The key moments of the match

4 minutes:  Mark Goldsworthy fires in a rising shot towards the far corner and keeper George Dorrington flings himself across to palm the ball out for a corner

19 minutes:  A forceful Brislington raid on the left ends with a floated cross drifting beyond the far post

21 minutes:   Mousehole are having more of the ball but Brislington are making progress on the left again:  this time Josh Otto shows great anticipation to head away a threatening cross into the six-yard box

Half-way through the first half:  Mousehole are showing signs of their month-long lay-off.  There’s not yet any consistent pattern to their play.  Brislington are looking well-organised and quick to seize on misplaced passes.

26 minutes:  Another incisive left-sided break by the visitors lays on a difficult chance on the far side of the six-yard box but the half chance is miscued.

29 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell retrieves the ball for Mousehole some 30 yards out and his shot from the edge of the area requires a competent save by keeper Dorrington.

38  minutes:  Dorrington shows superb ‘sweeper’ qualities by racing out to snuff out a Callam Mconie chance as he moves on to a defence-splitting Jack Calver scooped through ball

41 minutes:  Mousehole are now beginning to pressurise the Brislington defence.  Callam Mconie delivers a trademark left-footed drive from an angle but Dorrington is equal to it low at his near post.

42 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  JACK CALVER collects the ball 20 yards out, shimmies on to his favoured left foot and drives a low shot into the far corner just out of reach of the keeper.  (Those of a certain age will remember the term ‘daisy cutter’!)  Mousehole 1-0 Brislington.  A good time to score a goal, and a reward for persistence when not playing at your best.

Half-time:  It’s 1-0 to the hosts.  During the interval a special presentation is made to Matt James, who has spent five successful years developing the Youth section at Mousehole, and is now concentrating on a full-time career as a teacher.  The Youth players form a ‘guard of honour’ on the pitch and Chairman Deryk Heywood, recognising Matt James’ achievements in laying down a foundation for the future of the club, presents him with a framed and signed Chelsea shirt.

The second half

48 minutes:  Hayden Turner speeds down the left and crosses low for the onrushing Tallan Mitchell, but the visitors’ defence does well to stifle the danger

52 minutes:  Hayden Turner again creates a chance with a run and cross in front of goal, where Callam Mconie is involved in a collision, but Referee Long waves away appeals for a penalty

56 minutes:  Hayden Turner again – this time he moves inside and drives a fierce swerving 15 yard shot, but keeper Dorrington makes a wonderfully agile save to tip the ball over.  The keeper has been magnificent so far – Brislington’s ‘player pen pictures’ say he has played for Manchester United’s and Huddersfield’s Under-23s:  the pedigree is now obvious!

57 minutes:  Callam Mconie’s inswinging low corner kick hits the near post and comes out!

Halfway through the second period, Mousehole are getting back into stride and looking to get a second goal, but Brislington are defiant – it’s still only 1-0 and they are very much still in this!

70 minutes:  Hayden Turner gets to a through ball first, dances around the keeper and rolls the ball across the goal line…..and out.

71 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Mark Goldsworthy is replaced by Louis Price, occupying the same central striker role

76 minutes:  For the last few minutes Brislington have been venturing forward a lot more.  A 30-yard shot from a central position is blocked by Steve Burt.

85 minutes:  The visitors come again, this time thwarted by a defensive tackle just inside the box which they claim merited a penalty – Referee Long disagrees

86 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Kyle Fraser makes a penetrating run on the left and crosses low into the middle, where CALLAM MCONIE collects 10 yards out and shoots hard, low and left-footed, the ball glancing off the covering defenders and inside the near post past the keeper’s dive.  Mousehole 2-0 Brislington.  A mixture of celebration and relief.  The wingman’s 14^th goal of the season, and another of his late ones.

87 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – scorer Callam Mconie is replaced by Paulo Sousa operating as a right-winger

88 minutes:  Louis Price shoots from 20 yards and Dorrington is well placed to smother it

90 minutes:  A great piece of football as Tallan Mitchell launches a spectacular right-footed volley from just outside the box and Dorrington leaps across to fingertip it away superbly from the top corner

90+1 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Tallan Mitchell is replaced in midfield by Charlie Willis

90+4  minutes:  The full time whistle.  Mousehole 2-0 Brislington.  The visitors proving to be tough opponents with many qualities. Mousehole playing some great football in patches after the long lay-off, but overall their persistence rewarded with a deserved win.

What the result means

Mousehole’s 12^th win in 14 League games, and 7^th win in a row, moves them up to third in the table, on the same points as today’s winners Exmouth Town, who have a better goal difference but have played two games more.  The Seagulls are two points ahead of Bridgwater and Bitton, and four ahead of Helston and Ilfracombe, with games in hand.

There are 17 League fixtures remaining, 9 at home and 8 away.  Nearly half of these are against teams in the top eight of the Division.  They include home and away matches against Helston, Buckland (currently 8^th) and Exmouth – the away trip to Exmouth being the very last League match of the season – and home games against Bridgwater and Bitton.

Mousehole v Brislington (with used substitutes):

Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Billy Curtis (captain), Josh Otto, Mark Richards, Kyle Fraser, Tallan Mitchell (Charlie Willis), Steve Burt, Jack Calver, Callam Mconie (Paulo Sousa), Mark Goldsworthy (Louis Price), Hayden Turner.  Other substitutes:  Max Hill, Jamie Devine.

Match officials:

James Long (Referee) with Ken Swift & Adam Price (Assistants)

Attendance:  154

Next fixtures for Mousehole:

This Saturday 22^nd January, Away at Ashton & Backwell United (BS48 3HQ), 3pm.

Saturday 29^th January, Home v Buckland Athletic, 3pm.

Saturday 5^th February, Home v Bridgwater United, 3pm

As Chairman of Mousehole AFC,  I wish to comment on today’s postponed ‘local derby’ between Helston Athletic and Mousehole

First, I must apologise for the understandable disappointment and inconvenience felt by the several hundred supporters of both sides and by Helston Athletic’s hard-working Committee.

Second, we complied with the requirement to notify the League with copies of any positive Covid PCR tests among players and staff.  We did this during a week in which we saw rapidly rising cases (which currently stand at seven). We agree that the main objective is to protect the health and safety of everyone involved, and reduce the risk of ‘community transmission’ of the virus.

Finally, we acknowledge the role played by the Toolstation Western League, who provided valuable advice and acted decisively to postpone the fixture, based on the evidence of the positive tests.  This was in accordance with the guidelines and rules issued by HM Government, the NHS, Public Health England and the FA.

Deryk Heywood

Chairman

Mousehole AFC

Street 2-6 Mousehole

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 18th December 2021

At The Tannery Ground 

Mousehole scorers: Hayden Turner (3, 1 pen), Callam Mconie (2), Kyle Fraser

Summary

Another six-goal score in consecutive away matches saw Mousehole continue their fine run of form following promotion and move up the League into a great position with half the season still to play

Pre-match points

Mousehole are “on the road to Street” for their 18th League fixture, the half-way point of their first season after promotion.  Their last away game was at Dorset-based Bridport, resulting in a 6-0 win.

They are without the injured Mark Goldsworthy, Andy Watkins, Andy Elcock and Josh Magin, and Louis Price through illness.  Jack Calver starts after his permanent signing from Bideford, Paulo Sousa returns to the squad after illness, and Ollie Chenoweth is cleared to play after the club’s successful appeal against his red card in the narrow 1-0 home win over Shepton Mallet last Saturday.

Mousehole are currently on a run of 10 wins in the last 12 League games and occupy 6th place in the table, with games in hand over the teams above.  

Street AFC are a well-established Western League club, having been runners-up five years ago, promoted to the Step 4 Southern League as WLP champions a year later, but then taking voluntary demotion for financial reasons after one season.  They now find themselves in the lower reaches of the WLP, with their last League points two months ago in an away 2-1 win at bottom-but-one team Ashton & Backwell United.

Named after the local leather shoe-making industry, Street play at the Tannery Ground and are known as ‘The Cobblers’.

Earlier in the season, Mousehole beat Street 4-1 at Trungle Parc, with goals from Mark Goldsworthy (2), Josh Magin and Jamie Devine, in front of 138 spectators.

This afternoon’s weather is fine but cold, and the pitch surface is soft.

The key moments of the match

17 minutes:  Not a lot of noteworthy incident has happened so far, but suddenly Tallan Mitchell’s forward pass unlocks the home defence and Hayden Turner shots high and wide from right of centre 15 yards out

20 minutes: GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  The visitors have been getting into their rhythm, forcing two successive corners which are cleared.  Back comes the ball and Tallan Mitchell feeds Billy Curtis inside the box whose low left-footed cross-shot is pushed out by the diving keeper Harley Wilkinson for CALLAM MCONIE to slot the ball in from six yards.   Street 0-1 Mousehole.

22 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  It’s 2-0 as HAYDEN TURNER converts a penalty after he had bamboozled the hosts’ defence and squared the ball in front of goal for Billy Curtis who was fouled as he was about to tap the ball in.

23 minutes:  Hayden Turner’s dynamic left-sided run is halted illegally, earning Leigh Bailey and Harry Foster a yellow card each.  The Mousehole hitman then drives the free kick in from an angle and Harley Wilkinson does well to get down to hold the ball at his near post.

27 minutes:  A clear chance for Street, as Alessandro Constanza is unmarked in front of goal from a lofted right-sided cross but puts the header over the bar from six yards

30 minutes:  Street are encouraged by that.  This time a left-sided cross comes in and Josh Otto shows brilliant anticipation to head the ball away from close in

33 minutes:  Callam Mconie finds Hayden Turner in space 15 yards out but the shot is too high

45+3 minutes.  At the interval, it’s Street 0-2 Mousehole.  The young home side are certainly working hard but Mousehole have more control and options.  The next goal could be significant.

The second half:

47 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Billy Curtis deposits a right-wing cross into the mix, the ball drops down and CALLAM MCONIE back-heels it into the net.  That goes into the category marked ‘Cheeky’.  Street 0-3 Mousehole – an ideal time to score to nullify the effects of the hosts’ half-time team talk.

50 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  The home defence is overwhelmed by a burst of attacking and KYLE FRASER has travelled forward from the back to get to the ball first and poke it over the line.  That’s the ex-Porthleven man’s first goal for the club since arriving in the summer.  A full moon has appeared over the horizon as if to mark the occasion.  Mousehole 4-nil ahead.

55 minutes:  Callam Mconie has a sight of goal and hits the side netting with an ambitious first-time volley on the turn

60 minutes:  GOAL FOR STREET.  The home crowd are for the first time in full voice as captain HARRY FOSTER breaks through the back line and fires low into the net.  Now 1-4.

63 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – injured centre-back Mark Richards is replaced by midfielder Sean Roberts

65 minutes:  A clear chance for goal number 5.  Tallan Mitchell chases a long ball and fires over from 15 yards when one-on-one with the keeper

73 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – midfielder Jack Caver is replaced by left wing-back Paulo Sousa

75 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – the injured Sean Roberts is replaced by youngster Charlie Willis

80 minutes:  Kyle Fraser and Paulo Sousa are eating up the ground on the left – the latter’s low cross just evades Hayden Turner and Callam Mconie in front of goal

81 minutes:  The unmarked Tallan Mitchell gets a shooting chance but his half-volley from inside the area is too high

82 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Street’s defence is caught playing a high line.  Talan Mitchell chips a through ball for HAYDEN TURNER to run on to, outpacing and then wrong-footing the covering defender with ease before driving low past keeper Wilkinson for a 1-5 scoreline.

83 minutes:  Loud shouts for a penalty for Street as a dangerous cross by Jordan Lovibond comes in from the right and bounces clear from some part of a Seagull defender’s anatomy. 

85 minutes:  It’s become an end-to-end finish to the match.  The hosts are playing with bags of effort and spirit.  But it’s nearly a sixth goal for the visitors as Tallan Mitchell receives a short corner, moves inside and flashes a low shot inches past the far post

86 minutes:  Street come close with a swerving free kick towards the near post requiring Callam Mconie to show his defensive qualities by booting the ball out for a corner

87 minutes:  Callam Mconie is now up the other end, his left-footed drive from 18 yards going just wide with the keeper beaten.  A few seconds later he beats two defenders to create a simpler chance from closer in but hammers the ball way over.

88 minutes:  GOAL FOR STREET.  Jordan Lovibond breaks swiftly from a central position 30 yards out, rounds Ollie Chenoweth and passes calmly inside for captain HARRY FOSTER to slide the ball into the vacant net.  Street 2-5 Mousehole.

89 minutes:  Ollie Chenoweth is forced into a good save as Jordan Lovibond again provides the menace with a run and shot

90 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  The home defence is pulled out of position by the visitors’ skill and speed on the left, giving HAYDEN TURNER the chance to take the ball inside and notch his hat-trick goal with a low shot from 18 yards

90+3 minutes:  At full-time it’s Street 2-6 Mousehole.  The Seagulls complete a League ‘double’ by a margin of 10-3. 

What this result means

• Mousehole make it 11 wins from the last 13 League matches, and have climbed to 3rd place in the table – the highest-ever position in the club’s 99-year history. 
• They have games in hand over the top two – Tavistock (11 points ahead from four games more) and Bitton (one point ahead from three games more). 
• There’s a promising second half of the season in store, which includes 10 home and 8 away games, starting on Boxing Day at Helston Athletic who are one point behind but have played one game more.

Mousehole (with used substitutes)

Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Billy Curtis (C), Mark Richards (Sean Roberts) (Charlie Willis), Max Hill, Josh Otto, Kyle Fraser, Steve Burt, Tallan Mitchell, Jack Calver (Paulo Sousa), Callam Mconie, Hayden Turner.  Other substitute: Jamie Devine

Match officials

Ryan Blackman (Referee), with Stephen Fearnley & Said Ouchene (Assistants)

Attendance:  150

Next fixtures

Boxing Day, Sunday 26th December:

Away at Helston Athletic

Kick off 12–noon

New Year’s Day, Saturday 1st January 

HOME v Exmouth Town

Kick off 3pm

Saturday 11^th December was a poignant day for everyone associated with Mousehole Football Club and the Penlee Lifeboat Station.

At the start of the football season, the club’s committee decided to name their newly constructed stand at Trungle Parc  ‘The Solomon Browne Stand’, after the lifeboat involved in the Penlee Lifeboat Tragedy 40 years ago – and to have it officially opened on a matchday as close as possible to the anniversary date. 

The terrible events of 19^th December 1981, are well documented online (for example, on Wikipedia).  As a summary, the plaque unveiled on Saturday in the new Stand contains this inscription: 

______________________________________________________________

THE SOLOMON BROWNE STAND

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF MOUSEHOLE MEN

LOST IN THE PENLEE LIFEBOAT TRAGEDY ON 19TH DECEMBER 1981

THE EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE VOLUNTEER CREW

OF THE RNLI LIFEBOAT ‘SOLOMON BROWNE’

STATIONED AT MOUSEHOLE:

TREVELYAN RICHARDS, COXSWAIN

STEPHEN MADRON, SECOND COXSWAIN/MECHANIC

NIGEL BROCKMAN, ASSISTANT MECHANIC

JOHN BLEWETT, EMERGENCY MECHANIC

CHARLIE GREENHAUGH, CREWMAN

KEVIN SMITH, CREWMAN

BARRIE TORRIE, CREWMAN

GARY WALLIS, CREWMAN

AMID 60FT WAVES AND 100MPH WINDS, THEY WENT TO THE AID

OF THOSE ON BOARD THE STRICKEN ‘MV UNION STAR’,

ALL EIGHT OF WHOM ALSO PERISHED

FOREVER REMEMBERED

 “SERVICE NOT SELF”

_______________________________________________________________

The plaque was unveiled by Neil Brockman, with a speech given by brother Kevin – sons of Nigel Brockman the Assistant Mechanic on the Solomon Browne.  Penlee Lifeboat coxswain Patch Harvey attended the opening ceremony, as did relatives of those lifeboatmen who also lost their lives, alongside families of current lifeboatmen and former Mousehole AFC players who served for the RNLI.

The Penlee Lifeboat crew were represented by father and son Lesley ‘Nabbo’ Nicholls, who are former and present crew members, and both avid Mousehole AFC supporters.

The Mousehole Male Voice Choir performed on the terrace before the match (which was against Shepton Mallet in the Western League Premier Division) and in the new stand at half time, with well-appreciated renditions of ‘You’ll Never Walk alone’, ‘Ave Maria’ and ‘Calm is the Sea’.

The visiting Committee of Shepton Mallet football club graciously presented a floral wreath bearing the message: “In respectful memory of 16 lives lost in the Penlee disaster of 1981 and the community of Mousehole who live on with that sad legacy.”

Footage of the events filmed by the club’s documentary-maker Kevin Bishop has been broadcast several times on BBC-TV’s local news programme ‘Spotlight’ (which is available to view on BBC IPlayer), together with an article on the BBC’s website and an item on BBC Radio Cornwall (available on BBC Sounds).

Neil and Kevin Brockman, who used to play for Mousehole, referred to the ‘phenomenal progress’ the club had made in recent times and said of the day’s events that their father “…would be doing somersaults on the moon if he was still here now”.

The Penlee Lifeboat Twitter page spoke of “….A very touching tribute by Mousehole AFC and its wonderful supporters”.

Brian Richardson, a long-standing member of the club’s Committee who put in much time and effort in contacting people and organising a very important day in the club’s history, said the events were extremely thought-provoking:  “I grew up with many of those brave men in the village of Mousehole and know how much they were a big part of the football club.  So many of our Committee and supporters were friends or even family of the lost men.  It was a privilege to be asked to organise the proceedings on Saturday, and another particularly pleasing point was to see many of our Junior footballers standing proudly in their club kit – they are the future of the football club and they’ll be able to tell others of this day.”

At the time of the Solomon Browne Tragedy the lifeboat station was located just outside Mousehole and most of the serving members lived in the village.  Now stationed in Newlyn, the Penlee Lifeboat retains strong links with Mousehole AFC, as evidenced on the club’s playing kit, with the RNLI logo displayed prominently on the shirt sleeves. 

Chairman Deryk Heywood, who played for the club in the late-1970s, summed up the event: “It’s a special day for the whole community.  The bond between Mousehole football club and the Penlee Lifeboat has always been very close and we fully intend to continue that.  Naming the stand in honour of the lost lifeboat and crew will keep it in the memory for ever.  There are no proper words to describe the bravery of those men, who risked everything for others.”

The Chairman also praised the many members of the club Committee who had made a vital contribution to the success of the day.  He also thanked the businesses responsible for building and sponsoring the Solomon Browne Stand – Cornwall Planning Group, Scaff West, Semmens Fabrication, Duke Street Cafe Newlyn, RGB Building Supplies, TGP Construction, SAP-Ignite and Wolf Jansen – with their contribution also visible in the stand.

The kick-off for the match was preceded by an impeccably observed minute’s silence by players of both sides and the 212 spectators, the club’s largest League attendance of the season.  Mousehole went on to win 1-0 with a late goal scored – most fittingly – at the ‘Solomon Browne’ end of the ground.

Mousehole 1-0 Shepton Mallet

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 11th December 2021

At Trungle Parc

Scorer: Callam Mconie (77’)

Summary

The biggest League crowd of the season at Trungle Parc made it a special occasion as they witnessed the naming of the Solomon Browne Stand in honour of lives lost in the Penlee Lifeboat Tragedy, and Mousehole’s 10th win in the last 12 matches, ending in an incident-packed last 20 minutes.

Pre-match points

Today is a momentous day for the club – the official opening of the Solomon Browne Stand to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Penlee Lifeboat Tragedy (a full report on the day’s events will follow separately).

Also, there’s a football match to be played, with Mousehole facing Shepton Mallet for the third time in a couple of months.  

In late-September, Mousehole won 1-0 away in the FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round with an early goal by Andy Elcock and backs-to-the-wall character with ten men for the last half hour.

Six weeks later they drew 2-2, also away, and again with early goals in each half from Connor Leak-Blunt and Mark Goldsworthy.  

On each of those occasions, The Seagulls were indebted to great goalkeeping performances firstly by Jimmy Weeks and then Ollie Chenoweth, the latter saving a penalty near the end.

Mousehole are on a top-of-the-form-table run of 9 wins in the last 11 League games, and stand 6th with games in hand over the teams above.  

Shepton Mallet are making their longest League journey of the season.  They are five points behind today’s hosts having played three games more.  They have brought a sizeable number of Committee and supporters today – the biggest away contingent seen at Trungle Parc for a League game this season.

For Mousehole, in their last home match of 2021, recent short-term signing Andy Watkins makes a start on the left of the attack, but the other new arrival Jack Calver is unavailable through injury.  Also missing are Andy Elcock, Paulo Sousa, Jamie Devine and Josh Magin, while Josh Otto is on the substitutes’ bench after illness, alongside Callam Mconie, Jonny Ludlam and Charlie Willis.

The match – as it happened

It’s drizzling continuously and the pitch surface is soft.  Mousehole, in their navy-blue kit, are kicking towards the Cricket Ground End.

12 minutes:  After an uneventful opening period, The Mallet create two moments of danger, Jacob Sloggett’s low cross from the left cleared and Fin Haines driving the loose ball over the bar from 25 yards.

13 minutes:  At the other end, Kyle Fraser puts in a similar low cross from the left which Louis Price miscues wide from 10 yards

14 minutes:  Louis Price shoots low from the edge of the box and keeper Tom Easterbrook smothers the skidding shot

16 minutes:  Hayden Turner, playing in a midfield role behind the attack, plants a 40-yard diagonal pass into the path of Andy Watkins running in from the left, but Joel Sisson just about pokes the ball out for a corner

17 minutes:  Hayden Turner’s short corner gives Tallan Mitchell a shooting chance and Easterbrook does well to tip the ball over the bar

19 minutes:  Louis Price miskicks in the area after a smart one-two with Mark Goldsworthy

20 minutes:  Hayden Turner’s shot from 25 yards skims past the post with keeper Easterbrook at full stretch

Half-way through the first half:  Mousehole look to be in control, with The Mallet only occasionally venturing forward, but their ‘most likely’ player Jacob Sloggett is now off injured.

35 minutes: Max Hill is up from the back and on the 18 yard line to receive a Turner/Mitchell short corner – his firm shot is confidently handled by Easterbrook

37 minutes:  Andy Watkins’ shot from the left is deflected towards the near post and Easterbrook again gathers safely

40 minutes:  Shepton have been defending solidly against a succession of Mousehole attacks – Mark Goldsworthy claims he’s pushed in mid-flight from a corner, but there’s no whistle

45 minutes:  Billy Curtis’ cross into the six-yard box is deflected by Mallet’s captain Andy Martin just past the post

45+1 minutes:  Max Hill brings the ball skilfully forward from the halfway line and his low shot from distance just misses the upright

45+2 minutes: At half time it’s 0-0. Mousehole have had most of the play but it hasn’t quite worked for them in the final third. Shepton Mallet have defended resolutely, with keeper Easterbrook’s safe handling of the slippery ball a key feature.

The second half

47 minutes:  Billy Curtis tries a left-foot shot from 25 yards through a crowd of players but it creeps wide of the far post

48 minutes:  A left-sided cross to the edge of the six-yard box finds Mark Goldsworthy, who turns sharply only to be denied a shooting chance by a superb block by Martin

49 minutes:  In comes the corner and Louis Price’s glancing near-post header just clears the far angle

51 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Max Hill is injured and replaced by Josh Otto in a like-for-like defensive position

54 minutes:  The Seagulls on the attack once more – Kyle Fraser’s cross sets up Mark Goldsworthy, who turns and shoots left-footed and it cannons off the near post

An hour gone:  The Mallet are being forced back into their own half and are relying on breakaways.  In one such instance, Josh Otto is yellow-carded for clipping Fin Haines as he races on to a forward pass 35 yards out, with the visitors demanding a red card – but the offence was a long way from goal with plenty of covering defenders

61 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Andy Watkins is replaced by Callam Mconie, who goes on to the right wing with Louis Price switching to the left

63 minutes:  Mark Goldsworthy’s low shot from the right is safely gathered by Easterbrook at his near post

65 minutes:  A brilliant last-ditch tackle prevents Mark Goldsworthy pulling the trigger again

66 minutes:  Callam Mconie’s inswinging corner into the six-yard box results in a couple of ricochets and is then cleared

68 minutes:  At the mid-point of the second half it’s still 0-0.  Two good teams – one attacking, one defending.

69 minutes:  Louis Price bustles through into the penalty area but slices his drive wide of the near post

77 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  A free kick is awarded in a central position for a tackle 25 yards out as Mousehole break forward at pace.  CALLAM MCONIE takes aim with his trusty left foot and the shot whips low past the defensive wall and into the corner of the net, just evading Easterbrook’s fingertips.  It’s the wingman’s 11^th goal of the season.  

80 minutes: A dramatic incident!  Seagulls’ keeper Ollie Chenoweth – who hasn’t had much serious work to do – comes out to collect the ball from a downfield punt with no immediate danger, but accidentally handles just outside the penalty area.  Assistant Referee Ken Swift flags for the handball offence and Referee Lazarus has to decide whether or not this prevented a goal-scoring opportunity….and whether it’s a yellow or red card.  It’s a red, somewhat controversially – so Mousehole will finish the match with ten men and an outfield player as replacement keeper.

82 minutes:  Occasional substitute Jonny Ludlam is the man to don the keeper’s jersey, and he replaces Louis Price

83 minutes:  The visitors now have the perfect opportunity to grab an equaliser with the free kick on the 18-yard line and dead central.  The stand-in keeper hasn’t had a chance to warm up or handle the ball, so a direct shot at goal looks the most likely option.  However, it’s tapped sideways, the blue shirts swarm out and force the ball out wide, and the angled shot is comfortably saved by Ludlam.  Elation and relief on the terraces!

86 minutes:  Unsurprisingly, The Mallet are seeing much more of the ball, but Mousehole are digging deep and showing bags of character….and fitness.

88 minutes:  Shepton are caught upfield as Tallan Mitchell bursts forward and feeds Mark Goldsworthy with a wonderful one-on-one chance to make it 2-0 – his shot beats Easterbrook but also misses the far upright

90+2 minutes:  More drama!  Another great chance for the visitors as they win a corner on the right.  They station all their big men on the edge of the six-yard box for the inswinging flag kick, the ball is nodded down and looks to be going in before Jonny Ludlam somehow scoops the ball off the line.  Keeper Easterbrook is stranded midway in the Mousehole half as the home side break forward but again great covering defensive work snuffs out the chance.

90+5 minutes:  Still more to come!  Shepton launch a dangerous swirling cross from the right towards the far post where Jonny Ludlam bravely gets there first to punch the ball away.

90+6 minutes:  It’s full-time and Mousehole 1-0 Shepton Mallet.  Fittingly, the winning goal was scored at the Solomon Browne End.

A breath-taking finish to the match for the spectators, with lots of talking points.  Mousehole deserve the three points on the balance of play, the chances created and, late on, yet another determined rearguard action against The Mallet (after this season’s three encounters, they’ll be wondering what it is about Mousehole goalkeepers!).      

What this result means

Mousehole remain in a promising 6th place in the WLP table with 35 points from 17 games.  

Above them are Ilfracombe Town and Bridgwater United (both with 36 points from 19 games), Helston Athletic in 3rd (37 points from 18 games), Bitton (39 from 21) and, at the top, Tavistock with 46 points from their 21 games.  Mousehole have the second-best ‘points-per-game’ record in the League, behind Tavistock and marginally ahead of Helston. 

The ‘local derby’ at Helston on Boxing Day now looks to be quite important!

A note on this season’s promotion arrangements:  the first-placed club will be promoted to the Southern League Division One South at Step 4, and the second-placed club will also be promoted if they win a one-off promotion/relegation ‘decider’ away at the team finishing bottom-but-one in the League above.

Mousehole (with used substitutes)

Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Billy Curtis (C), Max Hill (Josh Otto), Mark Richards, Kyle Fraser, Steve Burt, Tallan Mitchell, Hayden Turner, Louis Price (Jonny Ludlam GK), Mark Goldsworthy, Andy Watkins (Callam Mconie)

Other substitute: Charlie Willis

Match officials:  Mike Lazarus (Referee) with Ken Swift and Adam Price (Assistants)

Attendance: 212

Next League fixtures for Mousehole:

Saturday 18th December: Away at Street FC, kick off 3pm

Boxing Day: Away at Helston Athletic, 12-noon

New Year’s Day: HOME vs Exmouth Town, 3pm.

JACK CALVER MAKES PERMANENT MOVE TO MOUSEHOLE

With an eye on an exciting and challenging second half of the season, Mousehole have reinforced their Western League squad with the signing of Jack Calver from Southern League Bideford AFC.

After being released as an apprentice by Plymouth Argyle in 2017, Jack Calver came to prominence as a teenager playing as a stylish left-back for St Austell in the South West Peninsula League.  He then moved up to join the highly successful promotion-winning Plymouth Parkway side before another upward step to Bideford.

This season, he has made a couple of substitute appearances for Mousehole as a dual-signed player, most notably in the away League win at Saltash United in early October, where he immediately imposed his authority in his preferred midfield role and scored a stunning long-range goal to help secure a 3-1 win for The Seagulls.

Mousehole’s Manager Jake Ash is delighted to be able to bring the talented 23-year old to Trungle Parc on a permanent deal:

“I first spoke to Jack at the end of the aborted 2019/20 season and then again at the end of last season, as he is a player I have really liked since I saw him playing for St Austell.  Even back then he stood out as someone who could play at a higher standard and possessed so many tools to admire.  I’ve personally been to watch him a few times in the last 12 months and each time it has cemented my opinion that he has everything we look for in a player at this club.”

“At just 23 I think he has so much room to still improve – training regularly, coupled with playing in a more central position than he has been, will kick him on even further, especially as he gets fitter and sharper.  I can’t wait to work with Jack to support and witness the next part of his journey, as I think everything is in place at this club to really help him flourish.”

Jack Calver is equally looking forward to life with The Seagulls:  “‘I’m more than happy the move is all sorted, and I can’t wait to get going now.  It’s a good group of lads who made me feel very welcome in the couple games I’ve already played for the club, which is always a good thing.  I feel the style of play will suit me and the type of player I am.  Hopefully I can get among the goals again and help us push for promotion to the Southern League.”

Mousehole’s new signing comes shortly after the arrival of Step 3 player Andy Watkins on a short-term dual-signing basis, as he regains match fitness following an injury sustained at parent club Tiverton Town.

Currently standing in 6^th place in their first season after promotion to Step 5, Mousehole may be without Jack Calver against Shepton Mallet at home on Saturday (11^th) because of a slight injury.

Bridport 0-6 Mousehole

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 4th December 2021

At St Mary’s Fields

Scorers: Hayden Turner (3), Louis Price, Callam Mconie, Mark Goldsworthy

SUMMARY

Against bottom club Bridport, Mousehole continued their fine sequence of results – now with 9 wins in the last 11 league games – to climb three places up the WLP table and set up an interesting second half of the season.

PRE-MATCH POINTS

Mousehole continue their inaugural Western League campaign by venturing into the county of Dorset for the first time, with the 150-mile journey to Bridport, situated 1.5 miles inland from West Bay on the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site and popular filming location.

Formed in 1885, “The Bees” have spent 45 of the last 50 seasons in the Western League, 34 of those in the Premier Division where they finished in a highest-ever third place in 2010/11. This season however is proving difficult, as they sit at the foot of the table with only three points from their opening 21 games – a 2-1 over newly promoted Ashton and Blackwell United in late August. In their last two outings they lost heavily to Bitton and Saltash, contributing to their current goal deficit of 87, but to their credit they lost narrowly by only a single goal away at Wellington a month ago.

“The Seagulls” are on a good run of form in the League, with eight wins, one draw and one defeat (at Bridgwater) in the last ten games, including last Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 win against Saltash with a 95th minute goal by centre-back Mark Richards. That win took Mousehole up to 9th place, with several games in hand over the teams above.

Mousehole are without Josh Otto, Paulo Sousa, Andy Elcock, Jamie Devine and Josh Magin for various reasons, while the substitutes’ bench includes Andy Watkins, a recent short-term ‘dual signing’ courtesy of Tiverton Town.

As expected at this time of year, the pitch surface is soft but there’s plenty of grass, and the weather is fine apart from the occasional rain shower.

THE MATCH – AS IT HAPPENED

1 minute: Hayden Turner is occupying an attacking midfield position, with Louis Price wide on the left

3 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Tallan Mitchell is fouled as he sprints onto an incisive reverse pass into the hosts’ penalty area.  HAYDEN TURNER puts the spot kick just out of the reach of keeper Greg Taylor.

7 minutes:  A chance for The Bees as Callum Arnold latches on to a sloppy pass out by the visitors, but his lobbed attempt is too high

11 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell and Hayden Turner set up a great chance for Louis Price who fires over from 10 yards 

12 minutes:  Another chance for Bridport, with  some last-ditch defending needed to thwart winger Harry Boulton

29 minutes:  The hosts threaten again with a long ball down the right enabling Harry Boulton to slide the ball inside where Callum Arnold shoots wide of the near post 

Half an hour gone, and Bridport are very much in the game.  There’s a fascinating duel happening on the left with the hosts’ 17-year old Malakai Stanners matching Louis Price for strength and speed.

31 minutes:  Hayden Turner drives over from just inside the area after Callam Mconie’s pass

41 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell’s astute pass releases Hayden Turner for his customary left-wing sprint and first-time low cross from the bye line, but the unmarked Callam Mconie puts it wide at the far post 

44 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Steve Burt gets forward into space on the right of the box and his superb cross is headed home by LOUIS PRICE.  A much needed goal coming at the right time!

Half-time: It’s  Bridport 0-2 Mousehole.  The Seagulls are not at their best, but that second goal will have deflated the hosts after maybe their best opening 45 minutes of the season.  But more importantly, a floodlight failure means there’s a real possibility the match will have to be abandoned.  Mousehole will not fancy a mid-week trip here if the fixture has to be re-arranged!

Second half: Some of the lights (7 of the 20) are back on and the Referee has curtailed the half-time interval to get play underway, with the respective managers’ agreement. 

50 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Mark Goldsworthy’s pull-back from the left, after a great run into space, wrong-foots the home defence and CALLAM MCONIE makes no mistake from six yards.

53 minutes: Keeper Greg Taylor makes a one-on-one save versus Mark Goldsworthy

56 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell’s opinion earns the Referee’s displeasure and he will spend the next 10 minutes in the ‘sin bin’

59 minutes: Louis Price’s overhead kick from a corner is too high

An hour gone:  Mousehole now look to be in total control, despite playing with only ten men

65 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Hayden Turner races past two defenders on the right and puts a low cross into the danger area where MARK GOLDSWORTHY is in the right place to bury the chance.  Bridport 0-4 Mousehole.

It’s getting dark but fortunately the weather is quite fair and the partial floodlighting is adequate.

69 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Louis Price is replaced by Charlie Willis, who goes into midfield

72 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  It’s 5-0 after keeper Taylor crashes into Mark Goldsworthy as he gets to a through-ball first, and HAYDEN TURNER drives in the penalty

73 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Steve Burt is replaced by Andy Watkins, who takes up a left-sided wing-back position

82 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Callam Mconie’s low cross is converted by HAYDEN TURNER for his hat-trick.

85 minutes:  Mousehole’s dominance continues in the gloom as Tallan Mitchell looks to get on the scoresheet, with keeper Taylor saving the shot with his legs

90+1:  A nasty injury for Mark Goldsworthy as he skilfully turns his marker on the halfway line but receives a blow on the ankle in the process 

90+4 minutes:  At full time it’s Bridport 0-6 Mousehole.  The Seagulls had to work hard to assert themselves against The Bees, whose commendable eagerness was better than their ball retention.

MOUSEHOLE LINE-UP (used substitutes)

Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Billy Curtis (C), Max Hill, Mark Richards, Kyle Fraser, Steve Burt (Andy Watkins), Tallan Mitchell, Hayden Turner, Callam Mconie, Mark Goldsworthy, Louis Price (Charlie Willis)

Other substitute: Jake Ash

THE RESULT – WHAT IT MEANS

This expected win takes Mousehole up to 6th place, the highest position on the football pyramid in the club’s history, and at the same time has greatly improved their goal difference. The teams above have played between one and five games more, so there’s plenty of positive anticipation as the half-way point of the League season approaches.

MATCH OFFICIALS:  David Lilly (Referee) with Stuart Griffith & Stephen Fall (Assistants)

ATTENDANCE: 86

NEXT FIXTURES FOR MOUSEHOLE:

This Saturday, 11th December, kick off 3pm: HOME v Shepton Mallet, Western League Premier.  Includes official naming of the ‘Solomon Browne Stand’ by RNLI.

Saturday 18th December, 3pm, away at Street FC, WLP.

Boxing Day, 26th December, 12noon, away at Helston Athletic, WLP. New Year’s Day, 1st January 2022, 3pm, HOME v Exmouth Town (WLP)

Mousehole AFC have acquired the services of the vastly experienced Andy Watkins on an initial one-month loan deal (dual registration)

The Cornwall-born and Launceston-based striker has been one of the south-west’s most accomplished non-league players in recent times, with successful periods at the higher end of the National League System.

His early footballing career began at Launceston, followed by spells at Bodmin Town, St Blazey, Plymouth Argyle and Bideford.  He joined Truro City in 2006, scoring 143 goals in 295 games, and was a member of Truro City’s victorious FA Vase team at the New Wembley in 2007.  In 2013 he moved to Bath City, making 200-plus appearances and scoring 50-plus goals before joining Tiverton Town in 2020.

Now aged 36, ‘Watto’ is currently looking to gain full match fitness after suffering a prolonged injury playing for Tiverton Town, and will join Step 5 Mousehole for the club’s December fixtures.

Mousehole’s Manager Jake Ash – a member of the highly successful FA Vase and serial promotion-winning Truro City side – is delighted to bring in one of his former playing partners: 

“While it may only be a short term thing, it’s a brilliant signing for us. Having spent a large chunk of my playing career alongside him, I know exactly what Andy will bring to the group while he is here.  His ability goes without saying, but his intelligence, work rate and attitude are so infectious and the group of young lads we have here will learn so much from him.”

“I want to thank Tiverton Town, and especially Scott Rogers, who have been brilliant in assisting with this ‘loan’, just as they were recently with their goalkeeper Jimmy Weeks for our FA Vase run.  Scotty said that Andy had been Tivvy’s best player in the games before his injury, so our intention is to get him flying again, ready to go back and push them on again.”

“In the meantime, I am certain that however long he is here, Andy will add an incredible amount of quality and experience which can only help the team in both the short and long term.”