HOLSWORTHY 2-3 MOUSEHOLE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

SATURDAY 13^th APRIL 2019

AT UPCOTT FIELD

The Seagulls had to show extreme levels of hard work and perseverance to maintain their 100% winning run since the start of the year, coming twice from behind to finally claim the all-important three points with a goal well into added-on time.

Mid-table hosts Holsworthy had suffered a major 6-0 defeat at Trungle Parc a few weeks ago, but were clearly in the mood to avoid that result with a spirited performance, with the hard bumpy pitch and strong cross-wind working to their advantage.

Mousehole’s last venture of the season into Devon started brightly enough, with two corners in the first minute and a Kieron Toland header cleared away from close in.  But they fell behind in the 12^th minute when an unnecessarily conceded free kick was driven into a crowded six yard box to find its way over the line after a deflected shot by Lee Gardiner.

The Seagulls equalised straight from the re-start, top marksman Gerens James turning in Tyler Tonkin’s well-judged pull back after a surging run down the right.

Jason Robertson in the Mousehole goal had to pull off a diving save from a long-range shot on 20 minutes, but all the remaining goalmouth action of the half was at the other end.  Toland had a shot superbly saved by young keeper Ryan Chadwick on 22 minutes, another attempt blocked shortly afterwards, and a header hacked off the line from the resulting corner, while Gerens James was twice denied in quick succession by the alert and brave keeper.

In the second half, The Magpies regained the lead in unexpected fashion in the 54^th minute when Joe Barker met a wind-assisted corner with an unchallenged header from eight yards out.  A scrappy period of play by both sides followed, but Robertson had to make a vital save to prevent the hosts going further ahead on the hour as he smothered a low cross in front of Barker.

Gradually, Mousehole began to assert themselves and their control of the play in midfield produced a series of chances, as Chadwick kept out Toland’s close range effort from Amara Bakayoko’s dangerous low near post cross, Ben Williams had a header from a corner cleared off the line, Toland was again frustrated as his shot hit Chadwick and the post, and Tyler Tonkin’s fierce drive from 25 yards was tipped over by the impressive keeper.

But the inevitable-looking equaliser arrived in the 70^th minute, centre-back Ben Williams at point-blank range tapping in a whipped-in Lez Cela corner, Mousehole’s 100^th goal in all competitions this season.

The Seagulls upped the tempo in search of a late winner, with Holsworthy pegged back but defending with determination, captain Carlo Chandler proving a stubborn obstacle and keeper Chadwick pulling off yet more outstanding saves from another Tonkin 25-yard drive and shots by Bakayoko, Kaid and Cela.

Mousehole wasted a couple of good chances with hurried finishing as the clock ticked towards the 90-minute mark, but then player-manager Kevin Nicholson, whose swirling free kick had just been kept out by Chadwick with his feet at the far post, sent over a beautifully flighted corner from the left for Gerens James to chest down and shoot home via the underside of the crossbar two minutes into added-on time.

The hard-earned three point haul guarantees Mousehole at least the runners-up place in this season’s West Division, but they still have their sights set on the top spot, with leaders Liskeard Athletic six points ahead and three games remaining for each side.

Liskeard have a home and away ‘derby double’ against Dobwalls on Good Friday and next Wednesday, and a last match on Saturday 27^th at much-improved Wendron United.  Four points from these games however will see them clinch the title race.

Mousehole will know they cannot afford to drop points and will have to be at their best against Penzance at home on Good Friday (12noon kick off), away at St Dennis on Saturday 27^th, and – with Liskeard having already completed their programme – a final game at home against Porthleven on Wednesday 1^st May (6.45pm).

Regardless of the outcome, this has been a progressive season for Mousehole, and with floodlights and other ground improvements imminent they are well placed to move upwards to the new Step 6 West League next season, looking to continue their development both on and off the field.

Mousehole v Holsworthy:  Jason Robertson, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Ben Williams, Paulo Sousa, Steve Burt, Lez Cela, Kieron Toland, Amara Bakayoko, Gerens James, Hamza Kaid

Substitutes:  Amin Ahmed (for Kieron Toland, 71), Kevin Nicholson (for Steve Burt, 71), Tom Hands, Callum George, Sam Shulberg

Scorers:  Gerens James (13, 90+2), Ben Williams (70)

Referee: Krzysztof Wegrzynowski

MOUSEHOLE 6-0 PLYMOUTH MARJON

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

SATURDAY 6th APRIL 2019

AT TRUNGLE PARC 

ANOTHER SIX GOAL WIN KEEPS MOUSEHOLE IN CONTENTION AT TOP OF LEAGUE

On a remarkable day at Trungle Parc, Mousehole’s Billy Jacka was presented by Cornwall FA with the “County Winner – Groundsman of the Year 2019” award, while on a superbly prepared pitch The Seagulls recorded their third 6-0 score in the last four matches.

Mousehole’s win consolidates their second place in the League and keeps the pressure on leaders Liskeard Athletic.

With both teams having four fixtures left, Liskeard are six points ahead, with a pair of local derby games against Dobwalls together with away games at St Dennis this Saturday and lastly Wendron United to come.

The Seagulls’ schedule is no less tricky, with away games at Holsworthy and St Dennis, coupled with the Good Friday encounter with Penzance at Trungle Parc and a mid-week season-ending home match against third-place Porthleven.

Since the battling 1-1 draw at Plymstock United at the end of December, Mousehole have earned nine straight League wins, scoring 42 goals while conceding two, and the 30 points – including the ‘home walkover’ against Ludgvan – has seen them jump forward from 7th.  And importantly their goal difference is already six better than Liskeard’s despite the latter having the advantage of having played Ludgvan and scored 20 goals earlier.

Saturday’s visitors Plymouth Marjon were under intense pressure from the start, The Seagulls high-tempo play – matching the bright and breezy weather – led to a two goal lead after 11 minutes.  Gerens James had already sent a header wide from Amara Bakayoko’s cross after just 18 seconds, with Hamza Kaid coming close after young Gabe Smietanka in Marjon’s goal had spilled a James cross in the 3rd minute.  But two minutes later Kieron Toland powered to the bye-line and his cross looped high into the far corner via a deflection by centre back Sam Bruty.

Lez Cela’s angled drive was blocked by the keeper on 7 minutes and Kaid fired over on 9, before superb passing and movement on the left enabled Gerens James to shift the ball sideways into a central position and send a crisp right-foot shot from 18 yards low into the far corner for 2-0.

The action continued with Toland wide from 20 yards and Kaid picking up the latter’s excellent long ball to skip inside the full-back and see his shot pushed out for a corner by  Smietanka.  Ben Williams headed the flag kick over and Bakayoko’s goalbound shot hit a defender, with James heading the corner wide from close-in, as Marjon were overwhelmed in the first 20 minutes.

Dom Angove, standing in for the unavailable Jason Robertson, had a rare piece of work to do on an otherwise quiet afternoon when he clutched a threatening Marjon free kick on 21 minutes, but his counterpart at the other end was completely beaten as Gerens James’ left foot volley from Hamza Kaid’s cross smacked against the crossbar on 26.

The expected third goal arrived in the 36th minute, great work by Tyler Tonkin and Kieron Toland on the right setting up Bakayoko to race to the byeline and send a superb cross into the middle where Hamza Kaid pumped an unstoppable header into the net.

Before the interval Smietanka made a brave block from a fierce angled drive by Kaid, and Gerens James’ headers missed the target from two corners, with the whistle for the end of a one-sided half coming as a relief for the beleaguered visitors.

Marjon managed to weather the storm for the first 25 minutes of the second period, keeping out a close succession of good attempts by Kieron Toland, Ben Williams, Hamza Kaid and Amara Bakayoko, before a Kaid/Bakayoko combination on the right carved out the chance for Gerens James to side-foot in from 8 yards on 73.

There was no respite for the visitors as Mousehole brought on all three substitutes – including Amin Ahmed returning from the Ethiopia U23s’ preparations for next year’s Olympics – while Gerens James was nearly in on yet another hat-trick as he charged down Smietanka’s clearance.

But another two goals brought a much fairer reflection of the overall balance of play, and took Mousehole’s aggregate win to 11-1 in their head-to-heads over Marjon this season.  Firstly, Hamza Kaid hammered the ball into the roof of the net from 18 yards in the 86th minute after some defence-splitting play, and in the fourth minute of added-on time substitute Callum George took a sharp one-two on the edge of the box to stride through and coolly squeeze the ball inside the near post.

Mousehole: Dom Angove, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Ben Williams, Paulo Sousa, Lez Cela, Kieron Toland, Steve Burt, Amara Bakayoko, Gerens James, Hamza Kaid

Substitutes: Callum George (for Steve Burt, 58), Tom Hands (for Kieron Toland, 76), Amin Ahmed (for Lez Cela, 76), Dan Osomebi, Kevin Nicholson

Scorers: Own Goal (Sam Bruty, 5), Gerens James (11), Hamza Kaid (36), Gerens James 73), Hamza Kaid (86), Callum George (90+4)

Referee: Rowan Clarke   Attendance:123

*The Seagulls travel into Devon to face Holsworthy this Saturday (13th) and will need to be wary of a reaction by The Magpies after their 6-0 mauling at Trungle Parc a few weeks ago.

MOUSEHOLE 2-0 WENDRON UNITED

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

SATURDAY 30th MARCH 2019

AT TRUNGLE PARC

SEAGULLS SPRING FORWARD TO SECOND PLACE AFTER EIGHTH STRAIGHT WIN

In a competitive and entertaining game played in a great spirit, Mousehole had to put in a hard-working and patient performance, with two second half goals proving enough to overcome an improving Wendron United side who in sixth place are enjoying their best season since joining the South West Peninsula League in 2015.

For The Seagulls, this latest result – their eighth consecutive league win since the beginning of January, with 36 goals scored and only two conceded – saw Kevin Nicholson’s side leapfrog one-time league leaders Porthleven into second place, six points behind leaders Liskeard Athletic with both teams having five fixtures remaining.

There was plenty of goalmouth action right from the start.  Within the first 20 minutes, Gerens James had a header saved, scuffed a shot off target and prodded a near-post cross wide.  In between, Seagulls’ keeper Jason Robertson made a vital save, as in previous matches, keeping out a Wendron free kick aimed at the top corner, while a last-ditch tackle on the edge of the six yard box snuffed out a promising opening for the visitors, and TJ Walter shot weakly when put through the home defence.  Kieron Toland came within inches of a Mousehole goal with a left foot 18-yarder rebounding off the post and then sent a drive over the crossbar from further out.

Mousehole then gradually got on top, James heading Paulo Sousa’s cross too high and side-footing Tyler Tonkin’s bobbling low cross over, while Toland just failed to get the right touch when put through by the ever dangerous Amara Bakayoko.  The pressure continued up to the interval, with keeper Dan Stedman collecting the ball bravely on two occasions from Toland’s and then Bakayoko’s low crosses in front of goal. On 45+1, Lez Cela advanced from a deep position and brushed the side netting with a curling 20-yard shot, bringing to an end a rare goal-less but still interesting first half.

The second period started in similar fashion, Bakayoko’s low cross being cleared in front of goal.  But at the other end there were moments of drama as Will Paul took a through ball past keeper Robertson on 52 minutes only for last-man Billy Curtis to rescue an open-goal situation with a timely interception, and shortly afterwards Jack Stocker was denied by the shot-stopping keeper.

Back came Mousehole, as Tonkin’s dipping cross-cum-shot was kept out by Stedman’s feet, Toland’s fierce drive hit a defender and Hamza Kaid’s angled shot was deflected for a corner.  But on 68 minutes, The Dron’s well organised rearguard was at last breached, Sousa’s low cross along the edge of the six yard box converted by Bakayoko with a sharp drive into the corner.

The visitors had just one more chance from a wind-assisted swerving corner which was brilliantly headed out close to the line by Ben Williams after 71 minutes, but from then on Mousehole were in control, Bakayoko and substitute Dan Osomebi firing over when well placed, before Gerens James deservedly got on the scoresheet in the 77th minute, knocking the ball past Stedman and in off the underside of the bar from eight yards out after some crisp short passing on the edge of the box and Cela’s crafty reverse ball.  Bakayoko then blasted in a shot which was saved by Stedman at the second attempt, and just before the full time whistle James headed in from a close range but offside position.

Mousehole are at home again at Trungle Parc this Saturday (6th April) against Plymouth Marjon, with free entry offered to all comers.

The Seagulls will be looking to complete a quick ‘double’ over their mid-table opponents, having won 5-1 on the Derriford Campus synthetic pitch six weeks ago in a match notable not just for the scoreline but also for the large number of yellow cards issued to the hosts for dissent.

On the same day, Liskeard will be at home to Holsworthy, whose 1-0 away success last week condemned Porthleven to just one win in the last five.

Mousehole: Jason Robertson, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Ben Williams, Paulo Sousa, Steve Burt, Kieron Toland, Lez Cela, Hamza Kaid, Gerens James, Amara Bakayoko

Substitutes: Dan Osomebi (for Kieron Toland, 69), Jerry Gyebi (for Tyler Tonkin, 69), Callum George (for Hamza Kaid, 81),  Kevin Nicholson, Sam Shulberg

Scorers: Amara Bakayoko (68), Gerens James (77)

Referee: Marc Rose.     Attendance: 72

ELBURTON VILLA 1-0 MOUSEHOLE, after extra time

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE CUP, 

SPONSORED BY WALTER C PARSON FUNERAL DIRECTORS

QUARTER FINAL TIE

SATURDAY 2nd MARCH 2019, AT HAYE ROAD

Mousehole, the only Division One side left in the League Cup competition after wins against three higher-league teams, were a shade unlucky to be knocked out by a fourth, Premier Division Elburton Villa, who scored the only goal of a tough and tense encounter halfway through the first period of extra time.

The game was played on a very bumpy pitch, which suited the more direct style of the home side rather than The Seagulls’ passing pattern, but Kevin Nicholson’s men still created the best of the few chances over the 120 minutes and on another day they might have been the ones to progress to the semis.

Mousehole were without seven of the squad who ended Liskeard’s 17-match unbeaten record the previous week, with five players cup-tied, but their replacements did exceptionally well in the circumstances, and overall the performance was a good indication of the squad’s strength in depth.

In front of a sparse attendance, with the long-distance away supporters matching the home numbers, Mousehole made the more progressive start.  Dan Osomebi put in a dangerous cross resulting in Paulo Sousa’s shot being blocked and Hamza Kaid driving the loose ball too high on 16 minutes.  A minute later Kaid surged forward on the right and his shot was blocked for a corner.  In the 20th minute Gerens James got free on the corner of the penalty area but his left-foot effort went wide of the far post.

Villa eventually created a chance on 27 with a near post header from a corner missing the target.  But the visitors came close twice more before the interval, Dan Osomebi breaking through to the edge of the box but driving straight at well-positioned keeper Jack Dixon.  And shortly before half-time Osomebi created a chance with another good cross but Gerens James’s header went wide after he and Lez Cela both went for the same ball in front of goal.

The early stages of the second period continued in the same vein, Hamza Kaid making a great run into the area and having his shot blocked for a corner in the 54th minute.  Dixon fumbled Paulo Sousa’s flag kick but recovered just in time, and a minute later two newcomers combined to good effect with Danny Mullarkey’s searching right wing cross headed over by Kieron Toland.

Just before the hour Elburton finally got their act together and threatened on three occasions in their best five minute spell of the match, but keeper Dom Angove continued to have little to do as all three efforts went wide.

The game entered a scrappy and tetchy phase, which broke up Mousehole’s play, and even though the home side played with four men up in the last ten minutes, the visitors’ defence remained untroubled up the full-time whistle.

Elburton were on the front foot at the start of extra time, Dom Angove being called into his first serious action on 97, diving to push round a shot at his near post.  And from the corner Villa grabbed the lead, centre back Matt Thackeray being the first to latch on to a knock down to steer in from eight yards. The home side came close to number two on 101 minutes with a cross shot into the danger zone, but Mousehole’s best moment came in the 105th minute as the first half of extra time ended with substitute Amara Bakayoko cutting inside from the right and hammering in a rising left-footed drive that crashed against the near post with keeper Dixon nowhere near it.

Mousehole’s luck deserted them again four minutes into the second 15-minute period when Kevin Nicholson’s free kick – the first of several conceded by Villa as they fought to hold on to their lead – was headed against the bar by substitute Sam Shulberg.  Gerens James was then crowded out in front of goal on 113 and shortly afterwards his header from Kevin Nicholson’s corner was headed off the line.  Hamza Kaid had a goalbound shot blocked as referee Nigel D’Arcy added on five minutes for injuries, lectures and time-wasting, and in the last action of the tie, with all the Seagulls’ players up for another Nicholson free kick, a header in a packed six-yard box was nudged inches past the post.

Villa now have a 100% record against The Seagulls, with four previous League wins, but on this occasion they looked decidedly relieved to hear the final whistle.  The result earns them a semi-final appearance against high-flying Saltash United on Tuesday 26th March – the date Mousehole Reserves play Frogpool & Cuscarne in the semi-final of the Cornwall Junior Cup.

With Mousehole now concentrating solely on League action for the rest of the season, they have a great opportunity to make inroads on the top places in Division One West.  Seven of their last nine fixtures are at home, including an incredible five consecutive Saturday games coming up at Trungle Parc.  The sequence starts this Saturday (9th March) against Holsworthy, followed by Ludgvan (16th), Wadebridge Town (23rd), Wendron United (30th) and Plymouth Marjon (6th April), all with a 3pm kick off.

Mousehole currently lie in 5th place, eight points behind leaders Liskeard Athletic.  Relative to the three teams immediately above them – Wadebridge, St Dennis and Porthleven – The Seagulls have several games in hand, the best defensive record and goal difference, and play each of them over the coming weeks.

Mousehole:  Dom Angove, Danny Mullarkey, Billy Curtis (captain), Tom Hands, Kevin Nicholson, Lez Cela, Kieron Toland, Paulo Sousa, Hamza Kaid, Gerens James, Dan Osomebi

Substitutes:  Amara Bakayoko (for Dan Osomebi, 63), Sam Shulberg (for Tom Hands, 106),  Axel Makouikila (for Danny Mullarkey, 106), Lorenzo Qerimi

Referee:  Nigel D’Arcy     Attendance:  45     Scorer: Elburton Villa – Matt Thackeray 108.