Text: Daniel Tararsky

Having started the league campaign with a disappointing defeat away at Malvern The Seagulls were eager to record a home win on a balmy Tuesday evening. Coming just three days after the trip up country this was a speedy chance to make amends against newly promoted opponents. 

Mousehole started with an energy and intensity that implied they’d been asked by boss Ash to turn up the heat maps. From back to front the Seagulls upped their game from the previous run out. Fifty fifties were won all over the pitch, one to one duels almost all went to the home team.

The result of all this effort meant that most of the match was played in the Brixham half. It was, at times, like a training match of defence versus attack but Mousehole couldn’t make the break through. Chances came and went but the finishing touch was never applied. In the end it took a bit of Jack Symons trickery to unlock the door.

In his usual fashion he burst into the box, ball glued to his foot with defenders diving in to dispossess him but failing.  As often happens one of those legs eventually took the midget maestro’s feet from under him ad the penalty was rightly awarded. The culprit was dismissed somewhat harshly. 

Hayden Turner placed the ball on the spot and dispatched it calmly, sending the keeper the wrong way. 

Ten minutes later and Symons repeated the feat, tumbling under another challenge in the box. Turner again did the business, this time down the middle. Two nil at half time, having had 75% possession was probably less than deserved. 

With Brixham down to ten men the second half shaped up to be tough for the visiting team.  As it turned out the game was effectively over just before the hour. A nice corner routine ended with the ball at Liam Prynn’s feet on the edge of the box. He took a touch to steady himself then rifled the ball into the roof of the net beyond a fully stretched keeper.

From then on it was a case of how many could Mousehole score. The answer being: no more. Lots of chances were created but Brixham held firm. 

Mousehole will face better teams this season and those missed chances will be costly but against a team struggling to create this performance was enough and a good start to home league campaign. 

Next match? Brixham, FA Cup on Saturday. 

The first day of the season always arrives full of optimism and infinite possibilities. Anything can happen, there are no limits and so after six hours on the road the coach pulled into the under-renovation car park full of joy and hope. Four hours later the travelling Seagulls; players, staff and fans trudged back on with heavy hearts and a fully signed reality cheque in their back pockets.

Last season saw a thrilling last minute winner from Hayden Turner but the tale of this game was told well before the end. The first half was a tight affair with Mousehole getting into lots of good positions without being able to convert those moments into clear cut chances.

At the other end, the home side kept getting half chances from which they were more able to strike at goal. The shot count fell in their favour 9 to 2 from just forty percent possession.

The first chance of the second half fell to last season’s hero, but on this occasion the Hitman did not hit the mark and fired over. This was the match’s sliding doors moment because a few moments later Malvern took the lead. A long throw was flicked on, that flick was in turn flicked on again by an outstretched toe and Malvern had broken through. A neat pass inside found the substitute Harry Clark who had just entered the fray. His first touch was to roll the ball past a despairing Lewis Moyle dive.

Mousehole heads seemed to go down and even if they weren’t out it was pretty much all over less than ten minutes later. A melee on the edge of the box saw the ball break free. Legs were flying from all quarters and one found a Malvern ankle and down he went. Ryan Brunt sent Moyle the wrong way and the whole ground knew it was game over with twenty minutes left.

The coffin was nailed shut with ten minutes to go. Another scruffy exchange ended as too often with Malvern possession. They found a free man on the right, a marauding full back who took the pass in his stride and planted beyond the keeper.

After a promising FA Cup win last week the Seagulls had their wings clipped and fell to earth. The good news is that the next game is only a few days away. It’s a long season. Forty one games to go.

In any game but maybe especially in the first game of the season an early goal is very welcome and so it proved in this FA Cup tie, Mousehole’s first competitive game of a new term. With only four pre-season friendlies behind them and four new faces in the starting line-up there was a little trepidation about how the match would go.

Those fears disappeared after just one minute when one new boy, Max Cook, curled a cross in to the box. It eventually fell to the returning Tallan Mitchell. He surged towards goal only to be brought down by an waggling defensive leg. We’ll never know if the referee would have awarded the penalty this deserved because within sixty of his debut Liam Prynn had scored when the ball ran loose.

Chances came a plenty over the next forty four minutes but the lead refused to extend. Indeed, there were a few scares as the visitors threatened to draw level. None of their chances would have scored high on the Xg charts but they enough to remind Mousehole that this was not a friendly.

Too often it felt like the Seagulls’ build up was a little slow so that by the time the chance came the Bridgwater defence were all behind the ball squeezing the gaps. One nil up at half time was probably just about deserved but both sides knew, as it so often the case, that the next goal was vital.

The second half carried on in much the same vein as the first with Mousehole having most of the possession, about seventy percent, and most of the chances but not being able to deliver the killer blow. Bridgwater were still getting enough of a sniff of goal to keep the home fans on the edge of their seats.

With only twenty minutes left the game was still in the balance and Jake Ash had just made two changes with Hayden Black and Tim Nixon coming on for Massey and Mitchell. This change produced the extra energy needed on a hot day to push Mousehole over the line and after seventy two minutes the lead was doubled. Ed Harrison, another debutant, played the ball out to Hayden Turner on the left. He surged towards the box, cut in, and curled a shot above the keeper in to the top of the net.

Within seven more minutes the lead was doubled again with a brace from Ed Harrison to add to his assist. The came when he received the ball on the edge of the box and hammered it home beyond a despairing keeper. The final was a perfect example of simplicity combined with panache. A long ball out from Chenoweth was nodded on by Prynn to Tim Nixon. In the box, he back heeled it to Harrison who stroked it home. Five seconds from keeper at one end the back of the net at the other. Devastating.

All that was left now was for Mousehole to keep their clean sheet and as so often happens it fell to the brilliance of Ollie Chenoweth. With moments remaining a game Bridgwater put together their best move of the match and engineered a chance just a few yards out. Most keepers would have let the chance just happen but Chenoweth rushed out and blocked the shot. Still the best.

A strong start to the season and a cup run in the offing. The next round sees us away to today’s opponents meaning we play them twice in four days.

Words by Daniel Tatarsky; Photos Ed Varcoe

Buckland 0-2 Mousehole

With a depleted squad Mousehole ran out comfortable winners in a tricky friendly against a robust Buckland team.

With the heatwave gone conditions were great for the Seagulls to get more yards in their legs with just two weeks to go before the first competitive game of the season.

Chances were few and far between as both teams looked to find some rhythm but gradually Mousehole began to take control.

The deadlock was broken when the ball fell to one of Mousehole’s trialists in the box. He jinked past the keeper and smashed it into the roof of the net past two despairing defenders on the line.

Not long after, Lewis Moyle had to come sharply off his line to thwart a home attack but other than that the visiting goal faced little danger.

The second half saw the green and whites maintain control and Massey came close several times but the second wouldn’t come.

Buckland made a number of changes but it didn’t allow them to wrestle control away from the visitors.

With the ref on the verge of blowing for time Massey broke free once more and finally doubled the lead as he rolled it under the keeper.

A very solid win, a clean sheet and more match fitness gained. All in all a good day at the office.

Words by Daniel Tatarsky; Photography Jack Tyler and Max English

Unseasonal rain saw Mousehole welcome Penzance for the inaugural match for the Tony Claypole Trophy. Tony, a Cornish footballing legend, played for both clubs and this was a fitting encounter to celebrate his memory. You can read more about Tony Claypole and the story behind this new cup match here.

Members of Tony’s family were at the match and his son, Jonathan, presented the trophy to the winning captain. Jon said: “The whole family, we’re so incredibly proud to have my father’s football legacy remembered in this this amazing event, by the two clubs that he was synonymous with in local area. So, the whole family’s so proud of this event and of future ones. Every year for the next few years – we’ll be here without a doubt”

Mousehole’s squad featured five trialists and two summer signings as Jake Ash and his management team prepare for another assault on promotion but it was two of last season’s stalwarts who set up the opener when Oscar Massey put in Tim Nixon after just four minutes. The lead was doubled five minutes later when one of the trialists crossed for Liam Prynn, recently arrived from Tavistock, to head home.

The first silverware of the season was sewn up before half time when a lovely flowing move ended with Nixon returning the compliment to Massey to slot home.

The scoreline did not reflect the high quality of Penzance’s play. A number of times they played through and around the home defence but lacked the Seagulls’ cutting edge.

With it being a pre-season game, half time saw a number of substitutions and this led to the play becoming a little fragmented with neither side making clear cut chances.

The only goal came from one of the Mousehole trialists, the same one who had provided the assist in the first half. This time he picked the ball up in midfield, burst forward and unleashed a rocket from thirty yards which almost burst the roof of the net. It was a goal worthy of winning any game and it put this one to bed.

Mousehole Vice-Chairman Deryk Heywood said: “I thought the idea of two local teams coming together to compete in this pre season friendly cup game in celebration of local legend Tony is a brilliant idea . Tony who had connections with both clubs and held in high regard, it’s a great way of bringing the clubs closer together in the community. I would like to think the PSF is always played in good spirit.
One thing that stood out to me is how moved the family were , something I won’t forget.”

As the rain continued to fall Jack Calver was presented the trophy by Jonathan, Tony’s son. A game played hard and fair with quality from both sides was a fitting way to remember the ex-Cobblers’ ace.

Great progress is underway by the team building our new access road. The route is now cut through to the existing car park which will be expanded.

Here are some photos from the great Jack Tyler – j4cksphotography – who will be a regular at Interiora Trungle Parc this coming season.

BACKGROUND: The new access road will transform how players, fans, and the local community reach Mousehole AFC, thanks to the backing of HRH The Prince of Wales and the Duchy of Cornwall. Read more here.

This long-awaited project will ease congestion through Paul village, improve safety, and create new opportunities for sport and community events at Trungle Parc and beyond. It’s been made possible through the incredible generosity and expertise of a dedicated group of partners working at no cost to the club.

A huge thank you to our project partners:

• ISC (part of the GRS Group) – Specialists in enabling works, earthworks and civil engineering across the UK.
• Maen Karne (part of the GRS Group) – Cornwall’s leading supplier of bagged and loose aggregates and waste removal services.
• Tarmac – The UK’s leading sustainable construction materials, road contracting and building products business.
• Griffiths – Major civil engineering contractor with a large-scale plant fleet and decades of experience.
• Holcim (Aggregate Industries) – Experts in asphalt and paving solutions with a strong focus on sustainability.
• Colas – Global leaders in transport infrastructure and highway maintenance, with local operations in Cornwall.
• Cormac – Cornwall-based contractors delivering road building, surfacing and civil engineering services.
• Keyline – National civils and drainage suppliers with a strong presence in Cornwall.

The new road is expected to be ready for the start of our 2025/26 season — a huge step forward for the club and our community!

A selection of photographs from the groundbreaking ceremony for the new road at Interiora Trungle Parc.

Many thanks to Oli Grove from GRS for the photography.

Mousehole AFC and Penzance FC are proud to announce the creation of a new annual fixture between the two clubs: the Tony Claypole Cup, a preseason match that will celebrate the enduring legacy of one of West Cornwall’s most respected football figures with strong links to both our clubs.

The inaugural match will take place on Tuesday, July 15th, at Interiora Trungle Park, home of Mousehole AFC. The fixture will then rotate annually between the two clubs’ home grounds, with the goal of establishing a competitive yet commemorative tradition that honours Tony’s lifelong contribution to football in the region.

Tony Claypole, who sadly passed away in 2022, was a well-known and much-loved figure in Cornish football. Born in Weldon in Northamptonshire in 1937, England Schoolboy International Claypole joined his local professional club Northampton Town as a Junior in 1953, making his first team debut in 1957. He chalked up over 125 appearances, most notably helping the Cobblers win promotion from the Fourth Division. He was comfortable at either left or right back until sustaining a broken leg against Coventry City during the 1961-62 season – just a fortnight after he got married.

Whilst that injury ended his time as a professional, Tony went on to enjoy a sterling career in the upper echelons of the non-League game with the likes of Cheltenham Town, Corby Town and Wellingborough Town. He helped the latter win the Metropolitan League title in 1969-70. After moving to Cornwall, Tony represented the Magpies, Mousehole, Marazion and Mullion with distinction. He continued playing the game locally into his late sixties.

His commitment to nurturing young talent, his passionate support for local football, and his no-nonsense approach to the game made him a respected figure across all levels of the sport in Cornwall. Sadly Tony’s latter years were dogged by both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. His daughter-in-law Joanne made a successful appeal for memorabilia from his playing days that yielded enough cuttings, programmes and photographs to enable the compilation of a memory book of his career that provided some solace.

Speaking for Penzance AFC, James Wright said that the club are delighted that Tony’s memory will be perpetuated by this new annual fixture.

Mousehole Vice-Chairman Deryk Heywood said: “The Club have asked me to say a few words about Tony which is an honour and probably one of the nicest things I’ve been asked to do. Tony was a massive influence on the lives of so many Young Cornish footballers, despite his experience and ability to play, coach and manage he always had time for you, a special human being, so humble, strong and competitive, I personally was lucky to play with him, for him and against him .This Club and others will never forget him.”

Tony’s widow Teresa welcomed the initiative, saying:
“I think this is a wonderful tribute to Tony. He would feel so very proud of this. Thank you so very much.”

Tony’s family will be present at the first match of the new cup. Speaking for the family, his son Jon said “For Tony to be recognised by both Mousehole and Penzance football clubs makes us, the family so proud and we know he would be proud too. Both clubs formed a huge part of his life and for his memory to live on via the Tony Claypole Cup is a truly amazing tribute.”

Both clubs expect the Tony Claypole Cup to become a key fixture in their preseason calendars, with the potential to grow into a wider community even.

Kickoff is 19:45 and tickets will be available at the gate. 

Work has officially begun on a long-awaited new access road for Mousehole AFC — an ambitious community infrastructure project championed by HRH The Prince of Wales. The scheme will finally resolve decades of access issues for the Cornish club, helping ease congestion through the village of Paul and transforming Interiora Trungle Parc into a true community hub.

For years, the only route to the club has been via a narrow, pothole-ridden lane, causing traffic jams and headaches for players, visiting teams and local residents alike. After hearing about the challenges faced by the community, Prince William and the Duchy of Cornwall worked with construction industry leaders to find a solution — bringing together a consortium of national and local partners to build a brand-new road, free of charge to the club.

This has been a dream of the club’s for over 50 years

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Simon Taylor, Mousehole AFC’s Project Lead, said:

“This has been a dream of the club’s for over 50 years — seeing the diggers here today really is a dream come true. It means so much, not just for the football club but for the whole community.”

“This road will ease traffic through Paul, make matchdays safer and smoother, and help us grow as a proper community hub — with more events, more people, and more opportunities for everyone.”

This is what our industry does best: bringing people together to make a difference

Martin Riley, Project Lead for the contractors’ consortium, added:

“When the Prince of Wales asked us to help, I thought we’d be patching potholes — but it was clear we needed a new road altogether! I called on trusted friends across the industry, and everyone stepped up to deliver something truly special for Mousehole and its community.”

“This is what our industry does best: bringing people together to make a difference where it matters. It’s a privilege to be part of it.”

ISC, part of GRS Group, will be leading the works, having been appointed as the Design & Build Principal Contractor for the new 150m access road. The construction is being carried out at no cost to the club, thanks to generous in-kind contributions from the following partners:

·       ISC (part of the GRS Group) – Specialists in enabling works, earthworks and civil engineering across the UK.

·       Maen Karne (part of the GRS Group) – Cornwall’s leading supplier of bagged and loose aggregates and waste removal services.

·       Tarmac – The UK’s leading sustainable construction materials, road contracting and building products business.

·       Griffiths – A major civil engineering contractor with a large-scale plant fleet and decades of experience.

·       Holcim (Aggregate Industries) – Experts in asphalt and paving solutions with a strong focus on sustainability.

·       Colas – Global leaders in transport infrastructure and highway maintenance, with local operations in Cornwall.

·       Cormac – Cornwall-based contractors delivering road building, surfacing and civil engineering services.

·       Keyline – National civils and drainage suppliers with a strong presence in Cornwall.

It’s something we’re very proud to be involved with

Jon Fisher, Chief Executive of GRS Group, said: “This project is a powerful example of the difference we can make when we bring together our national capability and expertise. It reflects what we’re all about – building infrastructure that improves lives and connects communities – and it’s one of many grassroots initiatives we’re proud to support nationwide. Improving this access road will benefit the wider community around Mousehole, and it’s something we’re very proud to be involved with.”

The new road is expected to be completed in time for Mousehole AFC’s 2025/26 season in the Pitching In Southern League Division One South.