Mousehole 1-2 Tavistock

Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Saturday 30^th August 2021

At Trungle Parc

Scorers: Josh Grant 2’ (0-1), 47’ (0-2), Mark Goldsworthy 65’(1-2)

Attendance 171

Compared with Saturday’s below-par performance in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Ilfracombe Town, this was a vastly improved showing by The Seagulls despite being narrowly edged out by one of the promotion favourites, who completed a ‘double’ by scoring very early in each half.

Pre-match points

Mousehole lost 3-0  in an earlier midweek visit to Tavistock, at the start of the Covid outbreak within the squad. 

Today The Seagulls are without the injured Josh Otto and Sean Roberts, but Jamie Devine returns after missing Saturday’s match, while Paulo Sousa makes his first start of the season.  Five substitutes are named, which is a positive contrast with the two available on Saturday.

Tavistock have had a very good couple of Western League seasons since promotion and are rightly considered to be one of the strongest contenders for further progress up the non-league ladder. 

Today The Lambs include in their squad two players borrowed from Camelford, and name just three on the bench.   

Mousehole have lost three games in a row, including an FA Cup tie, so getting back on track is important – but it will be a big challenge this afternoon.

As it happened: key moments of the match

1 minute and 36 seconds: GOAL FOR TAVISTOCK.  Neat quick passing on the right creates the space for a cross to the edge of the six-yard box where JOSH GRANT is perfectly positioned to plant a firm header past Cory Harvey.  Mousehole 0-1 Tavistock.  A simple goal for the visitors.  The worst possible start for the hosts.

4 minutes:  Tavistock close again – Liam Prynn has a sight of goal but hits the side netting

8 minutes:  Tavistock have the ball in the net from a low right wing cross but it’s ruled out for offside

11 minutes:  Mousehole break forward and Callam Mconie’s dangerous low cross from the right byeline is hacked away

17 minutes:  The Lambs return to the attack with Liam Prynn hitting the crossbar with a fierce drive from an angle

18 minutes:  Mousehole impose themselves for the first time with a period of sustained possession and three corners in a row – all well defended

30 minutes gone:  The visitors are quick to close down space whenever Mousehole try to weave their way through from midfield

32 minutes:  Nearly a surprise goal for The Seagulls.  Callam Mconie drives in a low left-footed free kick from wide on the right.  It’s aimed at the near post but keeper Josh Oak sees it in time to get down to push it out at the very last moment.  Great skill by both players.

34 minutes:  A quarter-chance for Steve Burt as he bursts forward into Lambs’ territory, but his left-footer is wide from 20 yards

36 minutes:  A good period of play for Mousehole ends with Mark Goldsworthy down with a blow to the head as he and centre-back Lewis Daw compete for a ball down the middle.  Referee Darren Gay decides on physio treatment but no foul.

38 minutes:  Nearly 0-2: an out-of-the-blue lob from 45 yards goes over Cory Harvey but bounces wide

39 minutes:  And again:  Cory Harvey makes a tremendous one-on-one block from close in to deny Liam Prynn

40 minutes: Mousehole retaliate – Steve Burt fires in a rising left-footer from an angle and Josh Oak tips it over

42 minutes:  Closest yet for Mousehole – Tallan Mitchell’s 25 yard drive beats Josh Oak but hits the crossbar and goes over

44 minutes:  Josh Oak keeps his side in the lead as Callam Mconie cuts inside on the right and drives in a trade-mark left-footer – but the keeper watches it all the way and tips it over

45 minutes:  From the corner, Jamie Devine’s near-post glancing header hits the unsuspecting Mark Goldsworthy and spins over the bar from six yards

45+3 minutes:  At half-time it’s Mousehole 0-1 Tavistock.  The visitors look threatening going forward but Mousehole have dug their way back into the match with a couple of good periods of play.  The second half could be very interesting.

Second half underway.

47 minutes:  GOAL FOR TAVISTOCK.  This time it’s even quicker than in the first half – just 1 minute, 10 seconds after the resumption.  A long throw, an onward header, the ball is allowed to bounce and the unmarked JOSH GRANT scores low from 15 yards.   Mousehole 0-2 Tavistock.  A lot of Mousehole’s good work from the first half is immediately undone – it’s now an uphill task for them, but a good cushion for The Lambs.

50 minutes:  Liam Prynn turns and shoots from inside the box as Mousehole back-pedal, but Cory Harvey does brilliantly to keep it out with a full-length diving save

53 minutes:  A replica move at the other end – Josh Oak keeps out Callam Mconie’s 18-yarder and the loose ball is cleared by the resolute defence

56 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Callam Mconie is replaced by Josh Magin in the same right-sided attacking position

58 minutes:  The Hayden Turner-Tallan Mitchell interplay looks promising on the approaches to the Tavistock box.  It’s halted by a deliberate foul.  Andy Elcock drives in the 25 yard free kick from a central position but the wall stands big and tall and it’s blocked.

65 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  MARK GOLDSWORTHY breaks through a tackle on the 18 yard line, advances a few paces and hammers the ball right-footed into the top left-hand corner.  Not even Josh Oak could stop that.  The striker’s first goal of an injury-hit season.  He’ll be so relieved.  His team-mates will now believe they can get something out of the match.  Will Tavistock regret not converting their earlier superiority into more goals?  Mousehole 1-2 Tavistock.

66 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Steve Burt is replaced by Kyle Fraser at left wing-back with Paulo Sousa moving further forward

73 minutes:  Nearly!  A Tallan Mitchell angled free-kick is scraped off the line at the far post

15 minutes to go:  Mousehole have most of the possession but Tavistock are compact, forcing the hosts to play sideways and out wide

83 minutes:  There’s space in the Mousehole half and a chance for The Lambs to make the game safe with a quick break, but Ed Harrison puts it over the bar

85 minutes:  Josh Oak reads Andy Elcock’s swerving 25-yard lob well and clutches it under the angle of bar and post

86 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Mark Goldsworthy is replaced by Gerens James.  Can he force home the equaliser to add to his 500 career goals?

90+2 minutes:  Mousehole still pressing and patient, Tavistock still well organised in the final third. The last chance.  Hayden Turner’s long throw is headed on by Jamie Devine and after a desperate scramble the ball comes out to Josh Magin – but it’s on his less=deadly left foot, and his half-volley from the edge of the box goes wide

90+4 minutes:  Full time:  Mousehole 1-2 Tavistock.  Tavistock fully justifying their reputation as one of the best all-round sides in the Division.  Credit to Mousehole for the way they came back into the game after a dreadful start to each half. 

Mousehole (and used substitutes): Cory Harvey (GK), Billy Curtis (captain), Mark Richards, Jamie Devine, Paulo Sousa, Steve Burt (Kyle Fraser), Tallan Mitchell, Andy Elcock, Callam Mconie (Josh Magin), Mark Goldsworthy (Gerens James), Hayden Turner

Other substitutes: Silas Sullivan, Jonny Ludlam

Next match

This Saturday 4^th September: Home v Millbrook, 3pm

Mousehole’s first and only League win (2-0) came at Millbrook in early August, with goals from Callam Mconie and Tallan Mitchell.

Promoted to the Western League this season, Millbrook are, like Mousehole, still finding their feet at the higher level.

The teams have almost identical playing records, each having played 5 League games, won 1, drawn 1 and lost 3, with Millbrook having a marginally better goal difference

Followed by:

Saturday 11^th September, WLP, 3pm: Away v Cadbury Heath, at Springfield BS30 8BX

The club will be running a players’ coach with seats for supporters – details online and at the end of the Millbrook match report.

Mousehole AFC’s priority emphasis on coaching has been significantly reinforced by the appointment of Jack Greenwood (pictured), who until recently was manager of Wendron United and previously their assistant manager.

Jack Greenwood will have a potentially wide-ranging role, including insights into prospective opponents and players, as well as contributing ideas to the coaching and training strategy.

In his four years as Wendron United manager, Greenwood led The Dron to their highest-ever League finish, including elevation to the South West Peninsula League Premier Division as a result of FA re-structuring, and to the club’s best-ever run to the semi-final of the Cornwall Senior Cup.

Earlier, having played for Truro City and Wendron, his on-field career was halted by a knee injury, but he has always had an eye on coaching. 

Greenwood says he is excited to be involved with Mousehole:  “I feel honoured to be part of such a forward thinking club.  I’ve been completely taken aback by how friendly and receptive everyone at the club has been, from the bar staff to the groundsman to the players themselves…it’s been really refreshing.  I’m really looking forward to working with this talented group of players.  Their ability levels are much higher than I ever anticipated – but above that, it’s their attitudes that have impressed me hugely.”

Manager Jake Ash is pleased to welcome Jack Greenwood on board at Trungle Parc: “We have always admired what he achieved at Wendron and, just as importantly, how he went about it.  Once we knew he was taking a step back from first team management there we started to think about how he could fit in with our existing coaching team.  In that sense he will give us another set of eyes from a coaching and tactical point of view, but also help provide us with intelligence about other teams, the wider local scene and any potential players who might fit our model.”

Mousehole 1-3 Plymouth Parkway

FA Cup Preliminary Round

Saturday 21^st August 2021

At Trungle Parc

Scorers:  Hayden Turner 1’ (1-0), Tom Bath 4’ (1-1), Matty Andrew 35’ (1-2), River Allen 80’ pen (1-3)

Attendance 352

The Seagulls’ second match in this season’s first-ever appearance in the FA Cup ended in defeat at the hands of Southern League side Plymouth Parkway, with the visitors showing their pedigree against their Covid-hit hosts to gain control of the match after a sensational start to the tie.

Match preview points:

• Mousehole have had nearly a third of the regular squad suffering from Covid, resulting in the postponement of their last two Western League fixtures.  Four players – excluding the still-recovering Tallan Mitchell and Piran Jones – have only just completed their ten-day self-isolation period and are in the starting line-up.

• So, the big question for The Seagulls is how the team will fare, with no-one having played or trained since the game at Tavistock on 10^th August.  The injured Josh Otto is missing but striker Mark Goldsworthy starts.

• Mousehole beat Parkway 4-0 in a pre-season friendly a month ago, but the visitors’ teamsheet today shows many changes from that occasion.  Today it’s likely to be a different contest!

• Mousehole have won, drawn and lost in this season’s three League matches since promotion, and beat local rivals Helston Athletic 3-1 in their FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round tie a fortnight ago to reach this stage.

• Parkway were promoted from the Western League to the Southern League Division One South this season and in their two League fixtures so far they’ve gained two points from a home draw following an opening-day away defeat.

The match as it happened:

Before kick off, there’s a minute’s reflection on the life of Malcolm ‘Megs’ Brown who died recently, having served Mousehole with distinction for over six decades as player, manager, Committee member and latterly Club President

Kick-off sees Mousehole playing towards the Solomon Browne end

20 seconds:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE!  There’s a moment of indecision in the Parkway defence 35 yards out, HAYDEN TURNER drives forward with the ball and fires low into the far corner from just inside the box.  Mousehole 1-0 Parkway.  What a start!

2 minutes: Parkway retaliate, Matt Andrew shooting low from 18 yards – it’s straight at Cory Harvey who just manages to retrieve the ball as it squirms under him

4 minutes:  GOAL FOR PARKWAY – TOM BATH is put through after a loose Mousehole pass and he takes his one-on-one chance with composure to slide the ball past Cory Harvey.  Mousehole 1-1 Parkway – and it’s not even up to 5 minutes yet!

5 minutes:  Close for Parkway as Jack Crago’s inswinging cross from the left hits the top of the bar and goes out

9 minutes:  Cory Harvey to the rescue with a full-length diving save at the foot of the post from Tom Bath’s header.  Aaron Bentley has a great chance in front of goal from the corner but heads over.

11 minutes:  Mark Goldsworthy comes close for Mousehole with an angled drive from the right, tipped round the far post by keeper Tyler Coombes

21 minutes:  Parkway are looking impressive.  Jack Crago creates space for a shot from 25 yards but it’s wide

22 minutes:  Parkway close again as Tom Bath hits the side netting from a wide angle

25 minutes:  Another attack, with Tom Bath fashioning a shooting opportunity from the edge of the box – but it’s past the post

27 minutes:  It’s been a long time since Mousehole threatened the visitors’ goal, but Callam Mconie is not far away from Hayden Turner’s low cross to the near post

28 minutes:  Cory Harvey makes a one-on-one save as Parkway resume their attacking intentions

30 minutes:  Jamie Devine puts his body in the way of a goalbound shot from inside the Seagulls penalty area

31 minutes:  Another near-miss for Parkway –  centre back Callum Rose heads a floated corner wide from a very good position

35 minutes:  GOAL FOR PARKWAY.  It was coming!  MATT ANDREW is the first to a bouncing rebound coming back off the post and pokes the ball home from 15 yards with Cory Harvey out of position and Jamie Devine wrong-footed on the line.  After their horrendous start, no more than Parkway deserve

38 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – winger Callam Mconie is replaced by Sean Roberts as Mousehole look to reinforce their midfield

43 minutes:  Centre back Aaron Bentley takes aim from fully 40 yards and it’s swirling towards the top-corner before Cory Harvey makes a flying save to keep it out

Half-time approaching and Parkway are now slowing the game down.  They should be further in the lead by now.  Mousehole have been second-best but with this scoreline they’re still in the tie. 

Half-time 45+3:  Mousehole 1-2 Plymouth Parkway.

51 minutes:  Hayden Turner’s low shot after a speedy run down the left is saved by Parkway keeper Tyler Coombes at his near post

59 minutes:  Mousehole are having a good period.  Andy Elcock rifles in a 30-yard free kick and Tyler Coombes goes full-length to push the ball out

61 minutes:  Kyle Fraser’s lofted diagonal pass into space is just beyond Sean Roberts racing forward to the edge of the box

65 minutes:  Parkway have been under a bit of sustained pressure for the first time in the match, but without conceding any clear-cut chances.  They’re still dangerous going forward – Tom Bath scuffs his shot wide when well placed inside the Mousehole box

Half-way through the second half:  Mousehole 1-2 Parkway.  Mousehole substitute – Paulo Sousa replaces Billy Curtis, taking up a right-sided forward position with Josh Magin dropping back into right-sided defence

78 minutes:  Parkway close – Jack Crago chases a bouncing ball down the middle but can’t bring it down in time to shoot

80 minutes:  GOAL FOR PARKWAY.  A 25 yards free kick goes into a crowded penalty area where substitute Callum Hall is tripped as he latches on to the loose ball.  Captain RIVER ALLEN drives the spot kick hard past Cory Harvey into the corner.  Mousehole 1-3 Parkway.  That probably is a fair reflection of the overall balance of play.

81 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – striker Gerens James for midfielder Steve Burt

86 minutes:  Parkway are now in no hurry, but they suddenly burst forward and Cory Harvey makes an exceptional full-length save from Tom Bath’s volley from 15 yards

90+2 minutes: Andy Elcock floats a free kick into the Parkway area where Mark Goldsworthy leaps above the taller defenders to plant a header over the bar from 10 yards

90+4 minutes:  Mousehole defenders somehow scoop the ball off the line amid a fast Parkway raid upfield

90+5 minutes:  Full-time Mousehole 1-3 Plymouth Parkway.  The visitors earn a well-merited passage through to the FA Cup First Qualifying Round, with a display of strength, class and composure.  Mousehole’s disrupted preparations proved to be a major setback, but a full-strength side can now return to League action with renewed confidence.

*Mousehole’s scheduled League fixture at home against Millbrook on Tuesday 24^th August has been postponed, as Millbrook have an FA Cup Replay on that date after a late 3-3 draw away at Southern League Willand Rovers.

*The Seagulls are next in action this Saturday, 28^th August, with an away Western League fixture at Ilfracombe Town (3pm).

*This is a followed by a home League fixture on Bank Holiday Monday, 30^th August, when Tavistock are the visitors (3pm)

Mousehole (and used substitutes):  Cory Harvey (GK), Billy Curtis (Captain) (Paulo Sousa), Mark Richards, Jamie Devine, Kyle Fraser, Steve Burt (Gerens James), Andy Elcock, Josh Magin, Hayden Turner, Mark Goldsworthy, Callam Mconie (Sean Roberts).  Other substitutes: Ethan Elwell (GK), Toby Weeks, Tyler Tonkin, Silas Sullivan

Tavistock 3-0 Mousehole

Toolstation Western League Premier Division

Tuesday 10^th August 2021

At Langsford Park

Summary:

After the magnificent FA Cup performance against Helston on Saturday, an unfortunate combination of circumstances led to The Seagulls’ first defeat of the season against a strong Tavistock side playing their first home game of the campaign.  With Covid, illness and injury depriving the squad of key personnel and requiring players to occupy unfamiliar positions, an on-field injury with the scoreline at 0-0 caused further re-organisation for the last hour of the match. The battling Seagulls also hit the woodwork twice, created a lot of chances, and had a goal disallowed – so, all in all, this wasn’t their day.

Match preview points:

Mousehole are without captain Billy Curtis, Mark Richards, Kyle Fraser and Sean Roberts.  Midfielder Max Gilbert is at right-back and winger Callam Mconie at left-back, with Jack Rhead making a start up front and striker Mark Goldsworthy one of three outfield players on the bench.  The squad has been stretched to the limit!

Tavistock have played three away games so far, losing to Saltash and winning against Ilfracombe in the League, coupled with an FA Cup success at St Austell.  Prolific ex-Saltash goalscorer Ryan Richards, now with Torpoint Athletic, is a dual-signed substitute.

The action:

2 minutes: Mousehole half-chance.  A long diagonal pass by Andy Elcock sets Hayden Turner free on the left and his low cross is scrambled away from Jack Rhead at the near post

10 minutes:  Close for Tavistock. A long left-sided corner is headed back at the far post and bounces off the bar

13 minutes:  Close again.  The hosts use their height advantage well from another corner.  This time a downward header is cleared from in front of goal.

19 minutes:  Excellent move by Mousehole from deep defence.  Hayden Turner and Tallan Mitchell run at pace through The Lambs’ midfield and deep into opposition territory, but keeper Josh Oak just beats Jack Rhead to the one-on-one chance.

22 minutes:  Mousehole hit the post.  Hayden Turner goes off on a high-speed run to give himself a shooting chance, but the left-footed strike from just inside the box is touched by Oak on to the far post and out for a corner

Midway through the first half: Mousehole are putting together some good patterns of play.  Tavistock are more direct, but no less threatening.

27 minutes:  Another Mousehole chance.  Hayden Turner supplies a left-wing cross and Josh Magin heads over the angle from 8 yards

30 minutes:  Josh Otto is injured and leaves the field,  Mousehole are playing with ten men.

32 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell and Jack Rhead break together quickly but the final pass in front of goal is intercepted

33 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Josh Otto is replaced by Mark Goldsworthy, who will play centrally up front, with Jack Rhead moving wide, winger Josh Magin occupying the right-back berth and Max Gilbert taking up a centre-back position.  This means Jamie Devine is now the only recognised defender in the back four!

34 minutes:  Andy Elcock takes a quick free-kick to create a great chance for Jack Rhead, but the home defence closes ranks

35 minutes:  Hayden Turner drives over from 30 yards

36 minutes:  Now Andy Elcock tries his luck but is wide from 25 yards.  Mousehole seem unaffected by the enforced changes – maybe attack is the best form of defence?

40 minutes:  GOAL FOR TAVISTOCK.  A short pass 20 yards out finds a gap in the centre of the defence and LIAM PRYNN is through on goal, firing low into the net from around the penalty spot.  The Lambs have the lead but it’s somewhat against the recent pattern of play.

44 minutes:  Hayden Turner’s cross is clutched under the angle of post and bar by Josh Oak

Half-Time:  Tavistock 1-0 Mousehole.  The makeshift Mousehole side has done well in the circumstances, but Tavistock have converted their one clear chance. 

48 minutes:  Mark Goldsworthy is put through by Tallan Mitchell but the early Mousehole chance is thwarted by a great last-man tackle

49 minutes:  GOAL FOR TAVISTOCK.  It’s 2-0, the simplest of goals.  With the Mousehole defence expecting the ball to be floated into the box from a 30-yard free-kick left of centre, a short pass outside the edge of the wall gives the unmarked JOSH GRANT a clear sight of goal and he duly shoots low into the far corner of Cory Harvey’s net. 

55 minutes:  Ten minutes in, and understandably Tavistock are playing with a lot of confidence.  Goals a few minutes either side of half-time have now completely changed the game.  Nevertheless, Mousehole are still playing their way, as they look for a breakthrough.

58 minutes:  GOAL FOR TAVISTOCK.  On the break, a well-judged chipped pass puts TALLAN BURNS into space on the left and he places a superb left-foot volley into the far corner from 15 yards.  Now three goals in a little over a quarter of an hour of play.

59 minutes:  Tavistock close again.  They’re really testing The Seagulls’ defensive qualities with fast-paced attacks.  This time, left-back Josh Robins overlaps but drives wide of the far post

67 minutes:  A ‘nearly’ moment for Mousehole:  Jack Rhead bustles his way past two defenders on the right and puts a low cross into the box where Mark Goldsworthy leaves it for Tallan Mitchell whose first-time drive from 15 yards flashes just over the bar.

68 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Steve Burt is replaced by Silas Sullivan who goes to left-back, enabling Callam Mconie to join the attack

69 minutes:  Tavistock appear to have taken note of the threat from Mousehole and have retreated into a more defensive formation, with just Prynn up front.  With 20 minutes left, they’re battening down the hatches.

70 minutes:  Hayden Turner yet again outpaces the Lambs’ defenders on the left and his low cross is just out of reach of Mark Goldsworthy at the far post

80 minutes:  Ten minutes left and Mousehole continue to dominate possession, but the home defence is remaining solid

84 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Jack Rhead is replaced by Charlie Willis

86 minutes:  Mousehole hit the woodwork again.  Hayden Turner almost produces a replica of his magnificent second goal against Helston, hitting a dipping right-foot shot from near the corner of the box that hits the face of the crossbar with keeper Josh Oak beaten.  Maybe that suggests it’s not going to happen this evening?

89 minutes:  Hayden Turner has another goalbound shot deflected wide

90 minutes:  Andy Elcock lashes in a 20 yarder which the flying Josh Oak tips over

90+1:  The home keeper is in action straight after, going full length to push Callam Mconie’s shot round the post

90+2:  Mousehole are making a strong finish to the match, showing great character.  Mark Goldsworthy pounces on a loose ball in front of goal and prods it into the net, but it’s offside.  That just about sums it up!

Full-time:  Tavistock 3-0 Mousehole.  Huge credit for the depleted Seagulls squad, despite the result.  The return match at Trungle Parc at the end of the month is likely to be different!

Mousehole starting X1 (and used substitutes): Cory Harvey (captain), Max Gilbert, Josh Otto (Mark Goldsworthy), Jamie Devine, Callam Mconie, Steve Burt (Silas Sullivan), Tallan Mitchell, Andy Elcock, Josh Magin, Jack Rhead (Charlie Willis), Hayden Turner. Other substitute: Piran Jones (GK).

Officials:  Scott Robinson (Referee), with Nuria Boney & Stuart Kane (Assistants)

Attendance: 219

Next for Mousehole:

This Saturday, 14^th August:  Home v Street AFC, Western League Premier Division, Trungle Parc, 3pm

• The Somerset club, known as The Cobblers, play at the Tannery ground, after the local shoe-making industry
• Long-established members of the Western League, they were Premier Division champions in 2018 but took voluntary demotion after one season in the Southern League despite a creditable 8^th place finish
• They are the only Premier Division club who, like Mousehole, play in green kit
• In the FA Cup they lost 8-0 away at Fareham, and also lost two home league games, 4-0 v Exmouth and 3-1 v Brislington
• This midweek they won 4-1 away at bottom club Bridport

Then:

Next Wednesday, 18^th August:  Away v Saltash United, WLP, 7.30pm

Followed by: Saturday 21^st August:  Home v Plymouth Parkway, FA Cup Preliminary Round, 3pm

Mousehole 3-1 Helston Athletic

Emirates FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round

Saturday 7^th August 2021

At Trungle Parc

Mousehole capped a first-ever appearance in the 150^th anniversary season of the FA Cup with a well-earned victory in a thrilling contest against ‘old foes’ Helston Athletic in front of a huge crowd of 469 – the largest home attendance in living memory for a competitive fixture and the third-highest of the weekend’s 174 Extra-Preliminary Round ties.

The scoring:  1-0 Hayden Turner 32’, 2-0 Andy Elcock 53’, 2-1 Stuart Bowker 63’, Hayden Turner 3-1 85’

Match details:

Preview points:

• It’s a dry, sunny, breezy afternoon – weather fit for this momentous occasion
• There’s a great turn-out of boys and girls from Mousehole Youth Academy – wearing the shirt numbers of the players, they accompany the team on to the pitch, conduct themselves impeccably and clearly enjoy their role in the introductory fist-bumps with match officials and Helston players
• Mousehole are without Kyle Fraser from the League win at Millbrook on Tuesday, but ex-Helston striker Mark Goldsworthy has sufficiently recovered from his pre-season head injury to be named as a substitute. 
• Helston have former Seagull Tom Hands in defence, but are missing local lad Josh Storey from their midweek home draw with Saltash United.

The action:

1 minute: Helston have the wind at their back. They’re instantly on the attack – Kai Cornish whips in a low cross from the left just ahead of Billy Tucker in front of goal

6 minutes: An identical move at the other end – Hayden Turner’s cross just evading Josh Magin

8 minutes:  Play is held up as a dog wants to get in the action at the Solomon Browne end

10 minutes:  The visitors have a dangerous-looking free kick 25 yards out and central, but Cory Harvey punches out Billy Tucker’s fierce drive

11 minutes: Helston are pressing hard all over the pitch – Mousehole haven’t yet been able to put together any pattern of play

12 minutes: Mousehole defence blocks a goal-bound shot after a pull-back from the bye-line

13 minutes:  Tallan Mitchell slides in a low cross for Mousehole but keeper Marko Radovanovic dives on the ball to snuff out the danger

14 minutes:  Dramatic moment as Stu Bowker chases a typical long ball and chips the ball past the onrushing Cory Harvey towards an open goal before a huge collision 20 yards out.  The ball goes wide of the far post but both players are lying flat out on the turf.  Memories of a similar incident in a previous Mousehole v Helston clash which was abandoned with Harvey then hospitalised

19 minutes:  With both casualties fit to continue, Cory Harvey is yellow-carded for his part in the incident and a free kick has been awarded in a great position for the visitors – but Billy Ticker’s lobbed attempt clears the bar by some distance

20 minutes:  Bowker is still up for it and fires past the far post from 18 yards

Half way through the first period – Helston are creating quite a momentum and  winning a good proportion of 50/50 challenges

23 minutes:  Half chance for Mousehole – Tallan Mitchell robs Lewis Tonkin deep into Helston territory on the left but his cross is too close to Radovanovic

24 minutes:  Another Helston long ball puts Bowker in with a chance but Cory Harvey is both quick and brave to get there first

25 minutes: Tallan Mitchell’s jinking run gives him a sight of goal but Radovanovic again reads the cross-shot well

26 minutes:  Signs of Mousehole beginning to get a better grip on the game.  Helston commit a series of fouls in the space of a couple of minutes and receive a warning from Referee James Long as they complain loudly about his decisions.

29 minutes:  Great chance for Mousehole:  Tallan Mitchell again engineers space on the left of the box and lifts a cross into the middle for the unmarked Josh Magin, but he heads straight into Radovanovic’s arms from six yards

30 minutes:  Contrasting styles – Helston are pumping long wind-assisted balls down the middle and Mousehole are gaining confidence in possession

32 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Mousehole 1-0 Helston Athletic.  Billy Curtis provides a low cross from the right which wrong-foots the defenders in the box, leaving HAYDEN TURNER to strike right-footed low inside the post from ten yards. 

36 minutes: Ryan Turner’s shot from an angle is well covered by Cory Harvey, but the Helston man has injured himself in the process and needs treatment

38 minutes: Helston’s Archie Reay is fortunate to get only a yellow card for a dubious tackle on Tallan Mitchell

43 minutes:  The alert Cory Harvey dives on the ball, with Ryan Turner falling over the prostrate keeper and claiming a penalty – Referee Long is not impressed! 

45+3:  A quietish period of play as Mousehole look to see out the half and preserve their lead.  Helston are being loudly encouraged from the sidelines.

45+7:  Half-Time:  Mousehole 1-0 Helston Athletic.  A very energetic 50-odd minutes full of action and incident – you can’t take your eyes off it.  An amazing attendance of 469 is announced.  The prospects: you can bet on Helston coming out fired up for the second half.

53 minutes:  GOAL – MOUSEHOLE 2-0 HELSTON. Helston concede yet another free kick, this time Lewis Tonkin illegally halting Tallan Mitchells’ promising run 20 yards out and earning himself a yellow card.  ANDY ELCOCK’s direct shot beats the defensive wall and the keeper’s dive to zip low into the net for Mousehole’s second goal.

54 minutes:  Back come Helston and Bowker’s lofted attempt from 20 yards lands on the roof of the net with Cory Harvey covering

58 minutes:  RED CARD FOR HELSTON:  Lewis Tonkin brings down Hayden Turner in full flight and shows his displeasure at the Referee’s decision to award a free kick – an almost inevitable yellow card (his second in five minutes) sees the young defender dismissed.  Surely this is now an uphill battle for the visitors – two goals down and still 30+ minutes to play with ten men?

59 minutes:  Mousehole substitute – Sean Roberts is replaced by Mark Goldsworthy

63 minutes: GOAL FOR HELSTON.  Mousehole 2-1 Helston Athletic.  Improbably, the ten men are back in the game!  A misplaced Seagulls pass in midfield leads to STU BOWKER finding space 30 yards out with the back line exposed, and he instantly drives a superlative left-foot shot into the top right corner despite Cory Harvey’s best efforts

64 minutes:  Billy Curtis’ right wing cross is hacked away a few feet from the Helston goal line

70 minutes:  Helston have put in a powerful five-minute spell, causing Mousehole to back pedal

71 minutes: Mousehole substitute – Josh Magin is replaced by Callam Mconie

74 minutes:  Helston very close to an equaliser.  From a corner, Stu Bowker turns on the dropping ball and looks certain to score with his favoured left foot from inside the six-yard box, but Cory Harvey pulls off a defiant block to keep his side in the lead

75 minutes:  Helston are playing as well with ten men as they did earlier with eleven.  The Bowker goal has changed the complexion of the game more so than did the red card, but the visitors are undoing much of their good work by conceding too many unnecessary free kicks

82 minutes:  At last Mousehole regain the initiative and begin to stretch the Helston defence with attacks down the flanks.  Billy Curtis’ right wing cross in front of goal is just out of reach of his advanced team-mates

85 minutes:  GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE.  Mousehole 3-1 Helston Athletic.  Hayden Turner has just been announced as ‘Mousehole Man of the Match’ and he further justifies the award by driving a fierce dipping right-foot from the left corner of the penalty area inside the far post past a helpless Radovanovic.  Four great goals in the match so far.

88 minutes:  Helston substitute Jackson Penhallurick makes a good run into the Mousehole box but his low shot from 15 yards is beaten out by Cory Harvey – another very important save!

90 minutes:  Mousehole are slowing the game down and sensibly retaining possession, but the visitors still get forward and gain two corners in a row

90+2 minutes:  Mousehole substitute Callam Mconie has a good chance coming in from the right to create a better angle, but hits the side netting with his usually reliable left foot

90+3 minutes:  Full -Time Mousehole 3-1 Helston Athletic.  A pulsating end-to-end fiercely competitive and value-for-money FA Cup tie, with the debutant Seagulls progressing to the Preliminary Round and a home tie against Southern League Step 4 side Plymouth Parkway in two weeks’ time.

Mousehole starting XI (and used substitutes): Cory Harvey, Billy Curtis (captain), Mark Richards, Jamie Devine, Josh Otto, Steve Burt, Andy Elcock, Tallan Mitchell, Sean Roberts (Mark Goldsworthy), Josh Magin (Callam Mconie), Hayden Turner.

Other substitutes: Charlie Willis, Silas Sullivan, Piran Jones (GK)

Match officials:  James Long (Referee) and Mark Hosking & Dean Kitley (Assistants)

Attendance: 469

Next for Mousehole:

Tuesday 10^th August: Away v Tavistock, Western League Premier Division, 7.45

• Venue: Langsford Park, Crowndale Road, Tavistock PL19 8JR.
• Tavistock won their FA Cup tie on Saturday, 3-2 away at St Austell
• This is their first home game of the season. In WLP, they have won away at Ilfracombe (2-1) and lost away at Saltash (2-0).

Saturday 14^th August: Home v Street AFC, WLP, 3pm, Trungle Parc

• Street have lost both their home League games, v Brislington (3-1) and Exmouth (4-0)
• They lost 8-0 away at Step 5 Fareham Town in the FA Cup on Saturday