by Jeff Richardson

RESERVES FLYING HIGH AT THE TOP OF THE LEAGUE

MOUSEHOLE RESERVES 5-1 LANNER

WHIRLWIND SPORTS TRELAWNY LEAGUE, DIVISION 1

SATURDAY 3^RD MARCH 2018, AT MARAZION

It was a beautiful afternoon at Marazion in contrast with the recent adverse weather conditions, and a sizeable crowd – with the numbers boosted as a result of many postponed matches locally – turned out for The Seagulls’ first home league fixture of the year.

Mousehole quickly achieved dominance and within minutes of the kick off Chris Bullock drove in a shot that just skimmed over the Lanner crossbar. Shortly afterwards the same player made it 1-0 with a header from a well-placed cross.

As the game progressed Lanner defended stubbornly, breaking down many of the hosts’ attacks. At the other end a superb free just outside the Mousehole box beat Paul Williams in goal but fortunately for the home side the ball rebounded off the upright.

Mousehole made the most of this close escape to go 2-0 into the lead. After a good passage of play found Michael Fitchett free on the right wing, he entered the Lanner penalty box and was tumbled over by a defender, with the referee having no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Chris Bullock converted the penalty for his second goal of the afternoon. Mousehole continued in control, with Lee Robinson prominent in mid-field and Jamie Simons making good runs down the left.

Lanner continued in the second half as they had finished the first period with some excellent defending in the face of numerous Mousehole attacks, one of which featured an overhead kick wide of goal by Michael Fitchett.

The visitors were once again unlucky not to score as a shot came back off the post, but it was not long before they were rewarded for their efforts, following some slack defending by the Mousehole defence.

At only 2-1 in arrears, Lanner were playing some good football, while Mousehole were going through a lean spell. However another attack saw Chris Bullock brought down in the penalty box, and he stepped up to score his second penalty of the afternoon and complete his hat-trick.

With The Seagulls then moving up a gear, some good work by Matt Howes and Tyler Tonkin found an unmarked JJ Simmonds on the edge of the box and his shot made it 4 – 1. This was quickly followed by a similar move, with Josh Storey dummying a defender to allow Jamie Simons to make it number 5 with a close tap in.

This was an entertaining fixture, a good all-round team effort and a well-earned victory against formidable opponents whose good play belied their lowly league placing.

The win puts Mousehole at the top of the table with 35 points, one point ahead of Hayle but with four games in hand. The next scheduled league fixture is away at Threemilestone on 17^th March, followed by a home game against Constantine on 24^th.

Mousehole Reserves’ squad v Lanner: Paul Williams, Joe Davies(captain), Lee Robinson, Tom McGarry, Harry Tonkin, Jason Simmonds, Michael Fitchett, Chris Bullock, Jamie Simons, Matthew Howes, Josh Storey, Tom Hooper, Tyler Tonkin, Tom George

by Jeff Richardson

MOUSEHOLE AFC AND ENDORSED ACADEMY STRENGTHEN THEIR TEAM WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF JAMIE THOMSON

Jamie Thomson, former Club Captain and Head Coach of Helston Athletic and owner of a thriving football coaching business, has agreed to join Mousehole AFC’s management and coaching team while also joining forces to merge his business with the Endorsed Academy, as the club looks to strengthen further its strategy to develop into the foremost football organisation in the region.

A well-respected figure in Cornish football, Thomson has a wealth of playing and coaching experience at this level, having been captain of the successful Helston Athletic team that won the South West Peninsula League West Division in 2014/15, and since gaining promotion to the Premier Division he has been their Club Captain and most recently Head Coach.

Thomson’s coaching business, now in operation for some ten years, involves simultaneous delivery of after-school clubs on most days of the week at various locations during term time, and during school holidays the emphasis turns to soccer camps. The business will be re-branded and developed under the umbrella of the Endorsed range of services that support Mousehole AFC, with the aim of increasing the number of participants, schools and projects, and widening the coverage of areas in Cornwall. With hundreds of children involved, there will be greatly improved opportunities to identify youngsters and provide a pathway to the Endorsed Academy’s age-group development squads at Mousehole, which themselves will increase in number as demand rises.

Cheltenham-born Thomson is excited for the future: “Having understood the vision and values here, I’m super-passionate about joining to help create a better future for the County’s young sportsmen and women. Combining forces with Endorsed, I can foresee the expansion of our current projects, including our hugely popular soccer camps – which are fun-based games and activities – but also the development of more specialised skills-focussed camps for youngsters with real potential and raw talent. I’m also aiming to bring to the club my experience as a player and an adults’ team coach, having played as a pro for Cheltenham Town and as a semi-pro around the Midlands before moving to Cornwall and playing for Porthleven, Falmouth and Helston. I feel I have a lot to offer…..and of course I’ve also had a taste of promotion success, just like Mousehole are aiming for.”

Speaking of Thomson’s appointment, Ezra Chapman, Chairman of the Endorsed Group and a former Mousehole AFC player and now Adviser to the club, added: “We collectively have a long-term vision for the sustainable development of the club while at the same time improving football coaching for the kids of Cornwall. Our focus on youth is absolutely key, so Jamie’s thinking and enterprise are very much in line with that. Jamie will extend our reach into new areas within the county, and also bring fresh knowledge, skills and business ideas to our talented leadership team, so I’m totally confident together we will produce tangible benefits for young footballers across the county.”

by Jeff Richardson

MATCH REPORT – DOBWALLS 0-0 MOUSEHOLE

DOBWALLS 0-0 MOUSEHOLE

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, WEST DIVISION

SATURDAY 24^TH FEBRUARY 2018

AT LANTOOM PARK

After 11 consecutive wins in League and Cup competitions, second-place Mousehole had to settle for a solitary point at fourth-bottom Dobwalls, and despite the consolation of earning their 10^th ‘clean sheet’ of the season they will be reflecting how to turn their superiority into wins against physically aggressive and defensively-minded opponents.

The management duo of Simon Westlake and Ben Washam made their former club Plymstock United a hard team to beat, and they have brought similar battling qualities to this Dobwalls squad. The Seagulls certainly knew they were in for a difficult afternoon when first Paulo Sousa and then captain Billy Curtis were flattened by flying tackles in the opening period – the latter incident resulting in a 5-minute long treatment session on the pitch – but without any sanction from referee Clements.

Despite being knocked out of their stride, Mousehole still created enough chances to score in both halves. Chris Prout drove an early 25-yard free kick millimetres over the bar, Will Vouama had a goalbound shot tipped over by goalkeeper Bruce Shields, Liam Andrew headed just wide from a corner, and Paulo Sousa shot straight at the ‘keeper when well placed.

Dobwalls were content to hold on to the point they started with, rarely venturing forward and relying on set pieces to get the ball anywhere near the visitors’ goal. But Mousehole made a slow start to the second half and were relieved to see a chance go over the bar after a sudden break, virtually Dobwalls’ only serious attack during the 90 minutes. The Seagulls experienced an increasingly frustrating last half hour, with the hosts pulling all players back into the final third to deny space. Jake Andrew headed over when Luke Johnson’s cross for once found him in front of goal and then in the last minute a right-sided free kick skimmed through quickly to Billy Curtis a few feet out but he turned the chance over the bar.

The draw moves Mousehole down to fourth place, with their six promotion rivals – currently separated by 10 points – having the opportunity to play ‘catch up’ with their League games in hand this weekend while The Seagulls are in Cup action.

Mousehole: Steve Parker-Billinge, Billy Curtis (captain), Liam Andrew, Calum Elliot, Chris Prout, Kevin Lawrence, Jordan Adlard, William Vouama, Connor Davey, Jake Andrew, Paulo Sousa. Substitutes: Luke Johnson (for Connor Davey, 64), Steven Ziboth (for Jordan Adlard, 75), Tyler Tonkin, Jamie Thomson

*This Saturday (3^rd) Mousehole face their third Cup quarter-final in recent weeks when East Division Teignmouth visit Trungle Parc in the SWP League Cup (kick off 2:30pm). Teignmouth are currently in mid-table in their Division but with several games in hand over most teams above them, at least partly because of their outstanding Cup success this season. Like Mousehole, Teignmouth are undefeated in Cup competitions, and have already won through to the semi-finals of the Devon Premier Cup. To reach Saturday’s League Cup quarter-final tie, they beat two West Division sides away, and then Penzance at home. In all, they have won 7 Cup ties, 5 of them away, so the forthcoming encounter is likely to be both fascinating and close. Mousehole reached this stage with an away win over West Division leaders Ludgvan followed by two home wins over Premier Division sides Camelford and Launceston. The winners of Saturday’s tie will face a Premier Division side – one of Falmouth Town, Godolphin Atlantic, and either Tavistock or Plymouth Parkway, in the semi-finals on 20^th/21^st March.

*In the Cornwall Senior Cup, Mousehole’s reward for their quarter-final 5-0 win over Premier Division Newquay is a semi-final tie next Wednesday (7^th March) against another Premier Division side St Austell, at Bickland Park, Falmouth Town FC, kick off 7:30pm. The tie will be Mousehole’s first-ever appearances in the Senior Cup semi-finals, whereas St Austell have won the Cup three times in the last nine years and 14 times overall. The other semi-final brings together Saltash United and Torpoint Athletic, with the Final to be played at St Blazey on Easter Monday.

*In the Cornwall Charity Cup, after Mousehole’s 4-0 quarter-final win against Penzance, they have been drawn against Liskeard Athletic in the semi-finals, held at neutral venues – to be announced in due course – on 10^th and 11^th April. The other semi-final is St Blazey against Wadebridge Town, and the Final is scheduled for 9^th May.

by Jeff Richardson

MATCH REPORT-MOUSEHOLE WOMEN 6-0 PENRYN LADIES

MOUSEHOLE WOMEN 6-0 PENRYN LADIES

CORNWALL WOMEN’S CUP QUARTER FINAL

SUNDAY 25^TH FEBRUARY 2018, AT TRUNGLE PARC

Mousehole booked their place in the Womens County Cup Semi Final with a dominant 6-0 victory over Penryn Ladies, despite having to field a much-changed side because of injuries and work commitments.

Flo Davies Kirsop moved from right back to centre back and ensured the visitors’ strike force was kept very quiet. Lyndsey Mayers had another commanding game in goal after her appearance for Cornwall Women versus Leeds United Ladies 24 hours earlier, but with only a few actual saves to make, it was her speed off the line that snuffed out any threats on the break. With Jo Barker out through injury it was left to Megan Davison to lead the line with Stacey George playing just behind.

Mousehole were finding space and joy down the flanks but were unable to capitalise until five minutes before half time, when a perfectly-weighted pass from Tamara de Silva split the defence for Sophie Wilson to advance and calmly slot the ball into the corner of the net.

The introduction of Katy Barker and Carly Jacka at the start of the second half saw Mousehole take total command, and the hosts duly doubled their lead with a superb move. The ball came into Megan Davison with her back to goal, she swept a pass out to the right for Megan Edwards to race on to and pull back for Sophie Wilson who in turn squared the ball for Carly Jacka to drive into the top corner.

Shortly afterwards it was 3-0, Sophie Wilson getting her second goal with a high ball eluding everyone and finding the net. Katy Barker then added two identical goals, latching on to a defence-splitting pass, taking the ball into and across the box past the defence and the ‘keeper, and placing the ball into an empty net.

The scoring was rounded off when the Penryn ‘keeper’s clearance found Sophie Wilson who ran through unopposed and slid the ball through the keeper’s legs for her hat-trick.

In the other quarter-final ties, South West League sides Callington (last year’s winners) and Charlestown won, while Helston progressed via a ‘home walkover’.

Next Sunday, 4^th March, Mousehole Women will be looking to maintain their lead at the top of the Cornwall Women’s League with a home match against Culdrose (2:30pm). Mousehole Women v Penryn Ladies – starting X1: Lyndsey Mayers (captain), Lena Mannon, Tamara de Silva, Lucy Brown, Flo Davies Kirsop, Becky Edwards, Sophie Wilson, Claire Hitchens Todd, Megan Edwards, Stacey George, Megan Davison. Substitutes (all played) – Robyn Ashurst, Carly Jacka, Katy Barker, Rosie Davison.

by Jeff Richardson

VISIT OF LEEDS UNITED LADIES TO WEST CORNWALL

A weekend to celebrate and promote girls’ and women’s football was a great success, with Leeds United Ladies, who play in the Women’s FA Premier League Northern Division, having a joint training session with Mousehole’s own successful Women’s team on Friday evening and hosting a soccer camp for girls aged 6-16 on Saturday morning. They also found time to visit the Penlee Lifeboat in Newlyn before taking on a Cornwall Women’s representative side in a full-scale match at Mousehole AFC’s Trungle Parc on Saturday afternoon, followed by a social get-together in the clubhouse during the evening.

Above: Leeds United Ladies visited the Penlee Lifeboat during their visit to West Cornwall last weekend (photo by Robin Chiffers)

The event was initiated and organised jointly by Jason Blunt (Mousehole AFC’s Head of Youth & Development and until last June the manager of Leeds United Under-23s), and locally-based David Haigh, former Managing Director of Leeds United.

Watched by a crowd of 215 on a bitterly cold and windy afternoon, Leeds Ladies won the fixture 3-0 with a display of clinical finishing. Cornwall Women were playing their first game since 2015 but gave a good account of themselves against the visitors, who play regularly together in league and cup matches and have enjoyed a good run of form and results since the new year.

Mousehole’s Lyndsey Mayers made some good saves in goal in an open first half and Cornwall came close on a couple of occasions through Tori Marks and Kerri-Ann Moxon, but it was Leeds who took the lead with the last action before half time. Amber Hadrill nearly equalised for Cornwall with a long-range free kick but the visitors doubled their lead with a well-worked corner routine and added a third goal late on.

Above: The Leeds United Ladies and Cornwall Women’s captains pose with Referee Derek Hughes and assistants Iain Tucker and David Malone, flanked by four young mascots and ball-girls who had taken part in the morning’s soccer camp

Cornwall Squad: Alice Bennion, Amber Hadrill, Beth Overton, Chevonne Johanning, Chloe Harris, Kaitlyn Harris, Lauren Bennett, Tori Marks (all Charlestown), Charlotte Whitmore, Sally Salter (both Cornwall ACC), Dani Salt, Faye Ivall (both Plymouth Argyle), Jodie Hood, Laura-Beth Medcalf, Zoe Arundell-Lethbridge (all St. Agnes), Kerri-Ann Moxon (Helston), Lyndsey Mayers (Mousehole), Sara Rowe (Callington)

*Jason Blunt was delighted with the weekend’s activities: “We are very grateful to the Cornwall FA for their work in preparing this fixture, and to Leeds United Ladies for spending time with us and showing the standards we can aspire to as the girls’ and women’s game develops. We know they had a great time down here and enjoyed the Cornish hospitality. The weekend needed a great deal of planning and organisation and once again the club’s hard-working volunteers did a superb job all round. Let’s hope we can move on to stage similar events in the not-too-distant future.”

Lee Townend, Chairman of Leeds United Ladies, was equally enthusiastic about the success of the weekend visit: ““It was an absolute pleasure to be invited to Cornwall and a fantastic adventure for our ladies and staff. Our time at Mousehole AFC could not have been any more perfect – the club’s staff and players, and the Cornwall FA players, were all very professional. We were looked after in a way that could only be described as amazing. Jason (Blunt) and all the coaches looked after us ‘above and beyond’, and David Haigh’s hotel at Lamorna Cove was just unbelievable. Overall, such a beautiful place to visit and rest assured we will be back at some point in the future.”

*Mousehole Women then completed a perfect weekend on Sunday afternoon with a dominant 6-0 win over Penryn Ladies at Trungle Parc in the quarter-finals of the Cornwall Women’s Cup.

by Jeff Richardson

MATCH REPORT-MOUSEHOLE WOMEN 1-1 CHARLESTOWN RESERVES LADIES

MOUSEHOLE WOMEN 1-1 CHARLESTOWN RESERVES LADIES

CORNWALL WOMEN’S LEAGUE, sponsored by Pirate FM

SUNDAY 18^TH FEBRUARY 2018

AT MARAZION

In their 11^th League match of the season, table-topping Mousehole Women dropped their first points of the season against a youthful and energetic Charlestown side on a pitch made heavy after recent rainy weather, especially down the middle.

When Mousehole got the ball wide to the right they caused the visitors problems, and they could have been two or three goals to the good before Scarlett Clouter’s breakthrough goal finally put them ahead, poking the ball home after a defensive mix-up at the far post following a deep corner.

There were other chances to extend the lead, but the Charlestown ‘keeper handled the ball securely, particularly from high crosses. A great chance came when Katy Barker raced to the byeline and pulled the ball back across goal, but none of the three onrushing Mousehole players could connect. The hosts then had a let-off when a mix-up at the back gave the Charlestown forward a chance to force the ball home but she scuffed her shot.

However, The Seagulls conceded a goal straight after the second-half kick off, as the ball bobbled and was completely missed by the covering defenders, allowing Charlestown a clear run on goal for a simple equaliser. This put Mousehole on the back foot and Charlestown began to get the better of the exchanges. But Mousehole came back to get a grip on the game again and make chances to go back in front, Katy Barker hitting the bar after a weaving run and Megan Davison being denied by great block by the defender.

With the game ending all-square on a frustrating afternoon for The Seagulls, they still maintain their position at the top, now four points ahead of St Agnes who have a game in hand.

Mousehole Women: Lyndsey Mayers (captain), Lena Mannon, Flo Davies Kirsop, Emma Hurworth, Lucy Brown, Megan Edwards, Sophie Wilson, Claire Hitchens Todd, Scarlett Clouter, Katy Barker, Jo Barker. Substitutes: Megan Davison (for Megan Edwards), Becky Edwards (for Jo Barker), Rosie Davison, Stacey George

*Congratulations are due to Lyndsey Mayers, Mousehole Women’s captain and goalkeeper, who has been selected for the Cornwall Women’s team to play Leeds United Ladies at Trungle Parc this Saturday, 24^th February (2:15 kick off).

*Mousehole Women are next in action this Sunday (25^th), when Penryn Ladies are the visitors to Trungle Parc for a Cornwall Women’s Cup quarter-final tie (2pm)

by Jeff Richardson

MATCH REPORT – CONSTANTINE 0-3 MOUSEHOLE RESERVES

CONSTANTINE 0-3 MOUSEHOLE RESERVES

TRELAWNY LEAGUE sponsored by Whirlwind Sports, DIVISION 1

SATURDAY 17^TH FEBRUARY 2018

AT TREBARVAN RECREATION GROUND

This was the first League game of 2018, with all previous fixtures postponed because of adverse weather conditions. The match started with blue skies and sunshine, but the more familiar grey skies and rainfall didn’t take long to re-appear. It was fairly evident from kick-off that the team were a little on the rusty side following a prolonged period with no games.

But a foul midway in the Constantine half enabled Harry Tonkin to pitch the free kick into the penalty box and find the head of Chris Bullock, with the ball going narrowly over the top of the crossbar.

Both teams were playing some good end-to-end football on a quite heavy pitch but with no significant attempts on goal.

Tom McGarry had an outstanding run with excellent footwork, but his final cross was not capitalised on.

It was not until the 30^th minute that another free kick in a similar position to the previous one was again pitched into the penalty box by Harry Tonkin, and this time the ball trickled into goal following a rebound from the legs of Josh Storey.

Some five minutes it was 2-0 after some neat work from the backs and mid-field found Caleb Marsden on the wing, and he evaded a couple of tackles to get into a great position and score.

The second half saw both teams showing plenty of endeavour and again playing entertaining end to end football, but Paul Williams in the Mousehole goal had a very quiet time between the posts.

With the score still at 2-0, Mousehole introduced a number of replacements towards the 70^th minute and all those on the team sheet participated in the fixture.

Caleb Marsden rounded off a successful afternoon after dropping down from the First team squad, with his second and The Seagulls’ third in the 84^th minute following good work from mid-field.

16-year old Josh Storey also got useful game time after being on the fringes of the First team and demonstrated his excellent future prospects with an impressive performance.

However, the key feature was that this was another very good all-round team display, with the useful three points consolidating second place in the Division, two points behind leaders Hayle Reserves but with three games in hand, a massively better goal difference, and a total of nine games left.

Mousehole squad: Paul Williams, Joe Davies (captain), Lee Robinson, Tom McGarry, Harry Tonkin, Jason Simmonds, Michael Fitchett, Tom Patrick , Chris Bullock, Jamie Simons, Matthew Howes, Jamie Robinson, Kyle Bickmore, Caleb Marsden, Josh Storey, Tom Hooper

*Mousehole Reserves’ next game is a home League fixture on Saturday 3^rd March against Lanner

by Jeff Richardson

SEAGULLS HIT WADEBRIDGE FOR SIX TO GO SECOND IN TABLE

MOUSEHOLE 6-0 WADEBRIDGE TOWN

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

SATURDAY 17^TH FEBRUARY 2018

AT TRUNGLE PARC

Mousehole collected three vital points and gave their goal difference a massive boost with a commanding performance against Wadebridge Town on Saturday as they continue to consolidate their position among this season’s promotion candidates.

With results working out favourably elsewhere, The Seagulls have climbed up to second place in the table, and although they have played more games than their six main rivals behind them, they will argue they have got the points in the bank and will have a less congested fixture programme in the later stages of the season.

Saturday’s win completed a League ‘double’ against The Bridgers, and it was against this opposition that manager Kevin Richards was in charge for his first game in early October. Since his appointment, Mousehole have played a total of 18 games in the League and the three Cup competitions, winning 16 of those, drawing one and losing one, and in the last three matches they have beaten Premier Division Newquay, local rivals Penzance and now Wadebridge Town with an aggregate tally of 15 goals scored and none conceded.

In front of a 100+ crowd, Steve Parker-Billinge had to make an early save from Jake Williams at the expense of a corner, but it was Mousehole who opened the scoring in the 10^th minute when Jake Andrew turned on a loose ball on the edge of the six yard box to poke home under Ben Rosevear’s body in the visitors’ goal. And the scorer became provider on 32 when his low cross from the right was stroked in, again from the six yard line, by Paulo Sousa.

Jake Andrew (green shirt, white socks, partly hidden), watched by Luke Johnson (7), scores past Wadebridge Town goalkeeper Ben Rosevear (also in green top) to put Mousehole 1-0 up in the 6-0 win on Saturday

The Bridgers’ 23-goal marksman Dan Jennings had been kept very quiet until the opening minutes of the second half when his pace took him clear down the right but no-one was on hand to take advantage of his dangerous low cross. At the other end, Rosevear made a point blank save from Steven Ziboth, before Jake Andrew scored his second goal of the game – and his fifth goal in the last two matches – with a spectacular volley inside the far post from a wide angle on the right after 60 minutes. Two minutes later Steve Parker-Billinge had to tip over a sharp 12-yard drive from Paul Reed, but very little was seen of the visitors as an attacking force after that as they were pressed back and opened up repeatedly by Mousehole’s passing and movement throughout the last half hour.

Mousehole players celebrate their second goal in the 6-0 win against Wadebridge on Saturday – left to right: William Vouama, Kevin Lawrence (4), Liam Andrew (5), the goal scorer Paulo Sousa (partly hidden), Jake Andrew and Luke Johnson

Jake Andrew came close to a second successive hat-trick on 74, hitting the bar from newcomer William Vouama’s pass, before Luke Johnson drove in low for 4-0 on 76 as The Bridgers’ overworked defence failed to clear. After substitute Chris Prout had hit the post with a typical 25-yard drive, Paulo Sousa got his second from close range for 5-0 on 85, and although left back Callum Bertrand ventured forward in search of a consolation goal on 88, it was Mousehole who competed the scoring in the last minute as Luke Johnson switched to the left wing and converted a through ball with a perfect lob.

The Seagulls now have 13 League games left this season, with 8 at home and 5 away. Six of those 13 games are against teams in the top 7, with home and away ‘doubles’ against current Division leaders Ludgvan (who have not applied for promotion), and against St Blazey, and home fixtures against Elburton Villa and Millbrook.

Meanwhile, this Saturday (24^th) Mousehole face their first away trip since 18^th November – 12 games ago – when they travel to fourth-bottom Dobwalls (3pm). The club is running a 53-seater supporters coach to the match, leaving Penzance Bus Station at 12:15pm at a cost of £5 per person.

After that, their next two matches are both Cup ties, with the SWP League Cup quarter-final tie against East Division Teignmouth at Trungle Parc on Saturday 3^rd March (2:30pm), followed in midweek by their first-ever appearance in the Cornwall Senior Cup semi-finals when they face Premier Division high-fliers St Austell at Falmouth Town’s Bickland Park on Wednesday 7^th March (7:30pm).

Mousehole v Wadebridge: Steve Parker-Billinge, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Calum Elliot, Liam Andrew, Kevin Lawrence, William Vouama, Paulo Sousa, Luke Johnson, Jake Andrew, Steven Ziboth.

Substitutes: Chris Prout (for Steven Ziboth, 64), Kayne Trevaskis (for Jake Andrew, 74), Omar Dialo (for William Vouama, 79), Connor Davey, Yeshe Briar

Scorers: Jake Andrew (10, 60), Paulo Sousa (32, 85), Luke Johnson (76, 90)

Referee: Mike Glanville. Attendance: 105

*Mousehole’s home League fixture against Holsworthy has been brought forward from Easter Monday to Saturday 17^th March (3pm)

by Jeff Richardson

THIS WEEKEND: MOUSEHOLE AFC HOST LEEDS UNITED LADIES v CORNWALL WOMEN’S TEAM TO CELEBRATE GIRLS’ AND WOMEN’S FOOTBALL IN CORNWALL

In a major boost for girls’ and women’s football in Cornwall, Leeds United Ladies football squad have accepted an invitation from Mousehole AFC to visit West Cornwall over the weekend of 23rd to 25th February.

The visit comes at a time of an unprecedented increase in the number of active participants and teams, providing further evidence that female football is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK.

The Leeds United Ladies will train together with Mousehole’s successful Women’s team on Friday evening (23^rd) from 7-8pm at Mounts Bay Academy.

Then on Saturday morning they will host a soccer camp for girls aged 6 to 16 from 9-10am, also at Mounts Bay – all welcome, with a chance to be a mascot for the afternoon match.

Following that, they will play a full-scale game against a Cornwall FA Women’s Representative team at Mousehole’s HQ at Trungle Parc, Paul, on Saturday (24^th), kick off at 2:15pm.

The Cornwall FA Women’s side has not played a match since 2015, when the County FA’s 125^th anniversary was celebrated with a game against Yeovil Town Ladies. The County squad for the Leeds match will be drawn from players who play for a Cornish side or live in Cornwall, following a series of trials held recently under the watchful eyes of co-managers Vicky Fisher and Beth Willshaw.

Leeds United Ladies, who are an integral part of Leeds United Football Club, compete in the FA National Women’s Premier League Division 1. They are currently in a rich vein of form, with their last three matches all being away and producing two wins – at Chorley and Morecambe – and one draw, at Crewe Alexandra.

The forthcoming event was initiated jointly by Jason Blunt, Mousehole AFC’s Head of Youth and Development, who was until last June manager of Leeds United Under-23s, and locally-based David Haigh, former Managing Director of Leeds United. Blunt has already used his connections with the Yorkshire club to bring a Leeds United Academy team down to Mousehole in early October to mark the launch of Mousehole’s own Academy and also the re-opening of the club’s Trungle Parc ground after extensive improvement works in the summer.

Speaking of the forthcoming Women’s football weekend, Newlyn-born Blunt said: “We want to make this a special weekend – an opportunity to celebrate and promote women’s football – not only showcasing the talents of a top-class team in Leeds United Ladies, but also giving local players the chance to learn from the visitors, and also see how they match up and can aspire to the higher standards set. It will also be a great social occasion, with the Trungle Parc clubhouse open all afternoon on Saturday for food and drink, and continuing with the friendly hospitality and fun during the evening”

Lee Townend, Leeds United Ladies Chairman, said: “Our team has been going from strength to strength since the New Year and we are thrilled with their performance so far this season. The trip to Cornwall will be a fantastic chance for the team to take part in a celebratory weekend and help promote women’s football.”

Mousehole Women team are also an integral part of Mousehole AFC and play in the Cornwall Women’s League, where they are enjoying their best-ever season, with a 100% record in 10 fixtures so far, putting them six points ahead at the top of the League table.

For the Cornwall v Leeds match on Saturday 24^th February, admission will be £5 for adults, with free entry for under-16s accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting the eventbrite website, as follows: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cornwall-fa-women-v-leeds-united-women-at-mousehole-afc-tickets-42940068902.

First-time visitors to Trungle Parc may wish to note that the ground (postcode TR19 6AZ) is not in Mousehole, but in the village of Paul, which is approached and signposted from the B3315 from Newlyn.

by Jeff Richardson

MATCH PREVIEW – MOUSEHOLE v Wadebridge Town

MOUSEHOLE v WADEBRIDGE TOWN

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

SATURDAY 17^TH FEBRUARY 2018

AT TRUNGLE PARC, PAUL, KICK OFF 3PM

Mousehole return to League action for the first time in over seven weeks this Saturday when Wadebridge Town are the visitors for a 3pm kick off.

The Seagulls’ last League fixture was the Boxing Day local derby 2-0 win against The Magpies of Penzance, and since then they have played four matches in three Cup competitions, all at home, and have won them all: 2-0 against West Cornwall FC and 5-0 against Newquay both in the Cornwall Senior Cup, 2-1 against Launceston in the League Cup, and, last Saturday, 4-0 against Penzance in the Cornwall Charity Cup.

The Cup victories have earned Mousehole two semi-final appearances in March and April – in the Senior Cup for the first time on record, and in the Charity Cup, which they won two years ago. And there’s still a quarter-final tie in the League Cup to come, against East Division Teignmouth in two weeks’ time on 3^rd March.

But the Wadebridge match marks an ideal opportunity to pick up vital League points, as the team – with a 100% winning record at home this season, and beaten only once since 23^rd September – look to finish in the highest possible position to justify the club’s recent promotion application.

The current standings show Mousehole in 5^th place, with 30 points from 18 games, and with only seven points separating the six teams around them. The Seagulls have played up to three games more than their rivals and have the worst goal difference of all except one – but their winning run means the points are already banked and they will have a relatively less congested fixture programme towards the end of the season.

Wadebridge Town, meanwhile, after a superb table-topping winning start to the season, have won only twice – both against bottom club Bude Town – in their last 13 League matches and now are in 12^th place with 20 points from 16 games. But they have in their ranks Dan Jennings, who has already notched up 21 goals to be way ahead at the top of both the West and the East Division ‘golden boot’ tables.

The forthcoming match will have some significance for Seagulls’ manager Kevin Richards as his first game in charge was the midweek away fixture at Wadebridge on 3^rd October, a 3-1 victory with two goals from Bradley Wills and one from Caleb Marsden.

Next Saturday (24^th February) Mousehole face their first away game since 18^th November when they travel to Dobwalls for another important League fixture (3pm).