Mousehole 2-0 Clevedon Town
Toolstation Western League Premier Division
Easter Monday, 10th April 2023
At Trungle Parc
Scorers: Mark Goldsworthy 24’, Jack Calver 90+5’
Attendance: 324
SUMMARY
It was a great Monday afternoon at Trungle Parc: the biggest home crowd of the season, Mousehole presented with the Toolstation Western League ‘Team of the Month’ award for March, mostly sunny Bank Holiday weather, two teams with a very watchable brand of football on a superb pitch surface, and the result in doubt right up to the end. And, at 5 o’clock, a moment of history as Mousehole’s win enabled them for the first time to take over the Western League top spot, with the possibility of automatic promotion just two weeks away, but also guaranteeing them at least second place and a promotion play-off .
KEY POINTS
The first half
At the half-way point Clevedon have already had a couple of half-chances, keeper Ollie Chenoweth having to be alert to gather a loose ball in the first minute, and a long-shot from 30 yards just clearing the crossbar (10’)
24’: Goal for Mousehole. MARK GOLDSWORTHY – returning after a horrific shoulder injury sustained in the last home match against Shepton Mallet just nine days ago – puts himself in the way of a first-time clearance from the danger area by Sam Larkins and the ball cannons into the net. Maybe a fortunate goal, but the direct result of actively sniffing out the most unlikely opportunities, as with his opening goal against Shepton. Mousehole 1-0 Clevedon Town.
At half-time it’s been a close encounter, with scorer Goldsworthy racing back 40 yards to thwart a dangerous Clevedon break from the half-way line (40’), and at the other end Paulo Sousa breaking through two tackles and driving forward to shoot against the inside of the post from outside the area (44’).
Second half
Into the last ten minutes and the score is still 1-0 to the hosts. The game has ebbed and flowed, each side creating chances but the visitors stepping up the pressure in search of an equaliser. Hayden Turner has put in some inviting crosses, while Mousehole keeper Ollie Chenoweth has once again kept his side in the game with a triple save (84’), and the visitors’ low cross into the danger area has eluded everyone and the far post (85’).
90+5’: Goal for Mousehole. Two bits of impressive play – substitute Josh Bissett makes a jinking run towards the 18-yard line and draws a foul just outside the right-hand point of the box. JACK CALVER walks up to the free kick and swerves a left-foot shot over the defensive wall which beats keeper Ryan Thacker for pace and accuracy as it goes into the near top corner of the net. Mousehole 2-0 Clevedon Town.
90+6’: That’s the full-time whistle, the 2-0 win taking Mousehole above Saltash United into first position in the League, and also ensuring that the two Cornwall clubs, regardless of results elsewhere, will occupy the top two places at the end of the season – with the champions promoted automatically to the Southern League and the runners-up involved in a play-off with a lower-placed SL team.
The Seagulls stand one point ahead of the Ashes from the same number of games played and with the same goal difference. Both teams will have to be at their best for the three-match run-in, with two consecutive matches away and one at home on the final Saturday (22nd) of the regular season.
Mousehole face Keynsham Town on Saturday on their 3G pitch, with the Bristol side battling to avoid relegation, and then travel to Bridgwater United for a mid-week fixture with The Robins having a lot to prove after letting slip a sizeable lead at the top of the League in the first half of the season. The last day sees Wellington visit Trungle Parc, the Somerset side being notorious for giving the top sides a hard time. Details are below.
Meanwhile, Saltash travel to Clevedon Town, who put in a good performance at Mousehole on Easter Monday, and then face an equally tough challenge at Ashton & Backwell United just two days before their final match at home to the impressive Shepton Mallet.
MOUSEHOLE LINE-UP v Clevedon Town (with used substitutes):
Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Josh Otto, Adel Gafaiti, Max Hill, Kyle Fraser, Reece Thomson (Andy Elcock 77’), Jack Calver, Paulo Sousa, Callam Mconie (Josh Bissett 69’), Mark Goldsworthy (Tallan Mitchell 77’), Hayden Turner (Harry Bell 90’). (Other substitute Jack Symons)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Paul Kempen (Referee) with Alan Hoon & Liam Bray (Assistant Referees)
ATTENDANCE: 324
REMAINING FIXTURES FOR MOUSEHOLE
Saturday 15th April, 3pm
Away v Keynsham Town *
Tuesday 18th April, 7.45pm
Away v Bridgwater United *
*Seats on the team bus are available for supporters for these two away fixtures –
contact Deryk Heywood 07969 625795 for details
SATURDAY 22nd APRIL, 3pm
HOME v WELLINGTON – the last match of the ‘Regular Season’
