Ashton & Backwell United 1-0 Mousehole
Western League Premier Division
Saturday 22nd January 2022
At The Lancer Scott Stadium
Summary
Mousehole’s magnificent run of form, which has seen them move from the lower reaches of the League to a challenging position in the leading pack, came to an end at the hands of a hard-working Ashton & Backwell side, with the hosts converting their one chance and the visitors’ possession counting for nothing on this occasion.
Pre-match points
- Third-place Mousehole travel once more up the M5 having won 12 of the last 14 League matches, including 7 wins in a row. They are without defenders Max Hill and Paulo Sousa and joint leading scorer Callam Mconie.
- The hosts had a change of name ten years ago when Backwell United absorbed Ashton Boys club. Backwell United were formed in 1911 and joined the Western League Division One in 1983, gaining promotion to the Premier Division in 1995, but being relegated back to Division One in 2006 and then back to the Somerset County League in 2008. They went back up to the Western League in 2013 and moved upwards again this season to the Premier Division on the basis of their points-per-game over the two previous abandoned seasons (as did Mousehole).
- The first half of this season proved to be tough for Ashton & Backwell, leaving them in last-but-one place in the Division. But having shown a definite upturn in form in the last month they are unbeaten in their last three home matches and closing in on the cluster of teams above them.
- It’s a cold but dry and bright afternoon, with the pitch having recovered from heavy overnight frost.
Key moments of the match
4 minutes: Mousehole come close to the opening goal as Mark Goldsworthy breaks through and crosses invitingly in front of goal but Tom Anthony does a great job in getting back to poke the ball out for a corner before Hayden Turner can capitalise
5 minutes: Mousehole again as Tallan Mitchell’s left footed drive after a short corner flashes past the near angle
6 minutes: Kyle Fraser makes good progress down the left and his dangerous cross is well held by home keeper Lewis Coombes
7 minutes: Tallan Mitchell makes space for a low cross from the left but Coombes again handles it safely at the foot of his near post
8 minutes: Off the line twice! Hayden Turner’s low cross goes into the six yard box where Mark Goldsworthy’s goal attempt is scuffed off the line. Louis Price picks up the loose ball and his shot is deflected wide heroically by Joe Bishop with keeper Coombes beaten.
The first 15 minutes: it’s been sustained pressure by Mousehole, with obstinate defending by the hosts.
26 minutes: Louis Price looks likely to score with a header from Hayden Turner’s cross but Joe Bishop’s aerial presence knocks him off balance and the chance goes wide.
30 minutes: Louis Price feeds Hayden Turner for a penetrating run and fierce shot, with Coombes well positioned to save
31 minutes: Ashton & Backwell’s first real sight of goal – a loose ball drops just inside the box for winger Henry Sady but the youngster volleys hastily high and wide
33 minutes: That has encouraged the home side to venture forward. Mousehole’s earlier dominance has disappeared. Miles Hardidge has a half chance from an angle but fires wide of the near post.
37 minutes: GOAL FOR ASHTON & BACKWELL UNITED. The hosts have been pressing vigorously as Mousehole play out from the back. This time it works for them as Miles Hardidge steals the ball and passes inside for SAM PRICE to convert high into the net past the exposed Ollie Chenoweth. A&B 1-0 Mousehole. The visitors might have been well ahead by now but it’s one mistake, one goal.
40 minutes: From a Mousehole a free kick Tallan Mitchell has a great chance from close in but keeper Coombes pulls off a superb point-blank save.
45+3 minutes: At half-time it’s 1-0 to the hosts – an improbable scoreline on the balance of play, but their energetic closing-down has begun to neutralise the visitors’ fluency. Will Mousehole make their class pay in the second half?
48 minutes: Against expectations it’s Ashton & Backwell who come close to the next goal. After they force a corner a goalbound shot is cleared off the line amid loud (but unsuccessful) claims for handball
60 minutes: The play has been scrappy since the interval, but Hayden Turner has a 20 yard shot skim wide of the far post
68 minutes: Mousehole are dominating possession but space in the final third is extremely limited. Keeper Coombes is again in the right place to save a Hayden Turner drive at his near post.
69 minutes: Ashton & Backwell’s left-sided corner somehow threads its way low across the six yard box with no-one getting a touch
70 minutes: Mousehole substitute – Steve Burt is replaced by Sean Roberts in a similar midfield role
15 minutes to go. Mousehole with plenty of possession but no clear-cut chances as the home side defend their precious lead
80 minutes: Scorer Sam Price scoops a low right-sided cross wide of the near post
81 minutes: Mousehole substitute – Billy Curtis is replaced by Jack Symons, with the youngster taking up position in the attack
82 minutes: Hayden Turner races to the byeline and his low cross is nudged wide of the near post by Mark Goldsworthy
84 minutes: Solid defending by Ashton & Backwell as two goalbound shots in succession from inside the box are blocked before they can trouble the keeper
85 minutes: Jack Symons fires one in – it’s deflected for a corner
86 minutes: Tallan Mitchell’s swerving shot from 20 yards misses the far angle
90 minutes gone – Referee will add on several minutes for injuries, substitutions and ‘game management’ by the hosts
90+4 minutes: Jack Symons places a lofted shot from 18 yards just wide of the far post with keeper Coombes nowhere near it
90+5 minutes: Jack Symons bravely takes the ball through on goal but is scythed down by Joe Bishop 30 yards out. Nothing comes from the free kick.
90+6 minutes: At full time it’s Ashton & Backwell United 1-0 Mousehole. The home side have got through with nearly 100 minutes of sheer determination, but, importantly, taking advantage of the one gift that came their way to make it four home games without defeat. Mousehole will reflect on that first period when they might have been comfortably ahead, and how to make headway against a team pressing all over the field.
What this result means
Mousehole drop down to fourth place in a tightly packed top-7, but they still have games in hand over all the teams around them. The defeat comes on a day when leaders Tavistock dropped two points, as did Bitton, while Exmouth Town and Bridgwater United both won – the latter at Helston Athletic – to take over second and third place.
Mousehole line up (with used substitutes): Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Billy Curtis (captain) (Jack Symons), Mark Richards, Josh Otto, Kyle Fraser, Steve Burt (Sean Roberts), Tallan Mitchell, Jack Calver, Louis Price, Mark Goldsworthy, Hayden Turner.
Other substitutes: Jamie Devine, Charlie Willis, Jake Ash.
Match officials: George Gross (Referee) with Damon McEllin & Andie Lambourne (Assistants)
Attendance: 85
Next up for Mousehole
This Saturday, 29th January: Home v Buckland Athletic, 3pm
Saturday 5th February: Home v Bridgwater United, 3pm
