Ashton & Backwell United 0-0 Mousehole
Western League Premier Division
Saturday 13th August 2022
At The Lancer Scott Stadium
SUMMARY
Mousehole survived 100 minutes of extreme heat and the spirited opposition to finish the game strongly, without quite doing enough to claim the three points, but the draw is an improvement on last season’s result here and means The Seagulls have yet to lose after five matches in this new campaign
PRE-MATCH POINTS
Mousehole travel to south-west Bristol today looking for the result that will prevent Ashton & Backwell United being seen as a “bogey team”.
Both clubs were promoted to the Premier Division a year ago, with Ashton & Backwell spending almost all of the season in the bottom two of the Division, while Mousehole gradually established themselves in the top three. However, the hard-working Somerset team beat Mousehole 1-0 at home and drew 2-2 at Trungle Parc.
In the final analysis, the four points gained went a long way to helping The Stags escape relegation, while the five points lost dented The Seagulls’ promotion hopes.
The hosts have had mixed fortunes so far this season, losing twice in the League: 2-1 at home to Buckland Athletic on the opening day, then 2-0 at Shepton Mallet – before a 3-2 win at Clevedon Town a couple of days ago. In between, they lost at home to Southern League Aylesbury United in the FA Cup.
Mousehole are unbeaten in four games: a 5-1 winning start at Torpoint Athletic and a 1-1 draw at home against Saltash United, followed by an away 1-1 draw in the FA Cup at Barnstaple Town and a 3-2 Replay win after extra time this week.
The Seagulls are without captain Jack Calver, injured in the final pre-season fixture, 50-goal Hayden Turner, and striker Mark Goldsworthy, but the 16-name team sheet shows the club’s strength in depth, especially with the opportunity to field five substitutes during what promises to be a very hot afternoon.
Before kick-off the temperature is a greenhouse-matching 33C on the pitch, there’s no breeze, and the surface is, as expected, parched and dry.
THE KEY MOMENTS OF THE MATCH
5 minutes: Ashton & Backwell make a lively start to the match. Max Hill is in the right place to divert a low cross at the near post for a corner.
6 minutes: A home corner whistles past everyone in the six yard box
8 minutes: Mousehole attack on the break. Steve Burt intercepts in midfield, drives forward and releases Calum Ferguson with a shooting chance, but he miscues
10 minutes: Mousehole again – this time from Callam Mconie’s reverse pass Andy Watkins fires first time over the bar
11 minutes: The hosts’ Tom Anthony aims for goal from a 20-yard free kick and keeper Ollie Chenoweth makes a comfortable-looking save
12 minutes: Ollie Chenoweth this time makes an important save ahead of the onrushing Miles Hardidge
16 minutes: Winger Joe Bishop skips past several opponents just outside the penalty area and his angled low cross-shot goes past the far post and inches away from Hardidge’s boot.
19 minutes: Mark Richards is ideally positioned in the heart of the Mousehole defence to clear away a dangerous cross in front of goal
20 minutes: The home side are playing with a lot of eagerness. Mark Richards has to do the same as a minute or so ago.
28 minutes: From another corner, central defender Reece Hedges leaps high and heads wide of the near post.
30 minutes: In searing heat, Ashton & Backwell are playing positively and pressing Mousehole energetically at every opportunity
32 minutes: Mousehole get a rare sight of goal as Calum Ferguson’s quick turn from a throw-in causes the ball to be scrambled away inside the six yard box
39 minutes: Mousehole substitute – the injured Andy Elcock is replaced by Reece Thomson
42 minutes: The first real near-miss for the visitors, as Tallan Mitchell puts Paulo Sousa in space on the left and his cross floats inches past the far post with keeper Coombes a hopeful onlooker
45 minutes: Andy Watkins and Calum Ferguson fashion a half-chance which is deflected away from Callam Mconie for a corner
45+2: Reece Hedges is up for a corner for the home side and his downward header is cleared in front of goal
At half-time it’s 0-0, with both sides showing good defensive qualities and Mousehole probably the more relieved to be on equal terms despite coming back into the game in the later stages
The second half
47 minutes: Close for Mousehole but great goalkeeping: Tallan Mitchell’s cross is headed goalwards by Reece Thomson and Lewis Coombes tips it over the bar at full stretch.
58 minutes: The Seagulls put together a good move across the pitch, ending with a Tallan Mitchell shot but an offside decision against Callam Mconie at the far post
61 minutes: Mousehole have been playing better since the interval, and this is a wonderful chance to take the lead. Andy Watkins draws the defence out of position and squares the ball past the keeper but Calum Ferguson can’t convert in front of an open goal.
62 minutes: Mousehole substitutes – Callam Mconie is replaced by Louis Price, and Calum Ferguson by Josh Magin
63 minutes: Ashton’s first threat of the second half – winger Joe Cattermole makes a surging run on the right and his shot is deflected for a corner
66 minutes: The move is repeated
70 minutes: Reece Thomson creates space for a shot from 18 yards but it’s straight at the keeper
75 minutes: Max Hill comes up for a Tallan Mitchell corner and rises highest for a header which bounces past the post
80 minutes; Mousehole substitute – Andy Watkins is replaced by Jared Sims
85 minutes: The Seagulls look to be more in control with better possession than previously but the home defence is resolute
90 minutes: Louis Price puts in a low cross with no-one there to apply the finishing touch
90+7 minutes: At full time it ends 0-0, with Ashton & Backwell celebrating as if they’ve won the match! So, a goal drought to match the un-natural conditions, with but all credit to the players of both sides for their efforts – with the hosts possibly more satisfied than the visitors with the performance and result.
MOUSEHOLE (with used substitutes)
Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Josh Otto, Mark Richards (C), Max Hill, Paulo Sousa, Steve Burt, Tallan Mitchell, Andy Elcock (Reece Thomson), Calum Ferguson (Josh Magin), Callam Mconie (Louis Price), Andy Watkins (Jared Sims). Other substitute: Jamie Devine
MATCH OFFICIALS
Michael Halford (Referee) with Jonathan Cooper and Andie Lambourne (Assistant Referees)
ATTENDANCE: 91
NEXT FOR MOUSEHOLE
This Tuesday, 16th August, 7.45pm
HOME v Millbrook, Western League Premier Division
Saturday 20th August, 3pm
Away at Torpoint Athletic, Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round
Saturday 27th August, 3pm
Away at Millbrook, WLP
Bank Holiday Monday, 29th August, 3pm
HOME v Street, WLP
