Mousehole 0-0 Exmouth Town

Western League Premier Division

Saturday 26th March 2022

At Trungle Parc

SUMMARY
Mousehole fought out a goal-less draw with promotion rivals Exmouth Town in difficult conditions, with the visitors having the better of the chances, but both sides probably content with a point in the circumstances.

PRE-MATCH POINTS 
It’s national non-league day, as well as Mousehole Youth day, so with fine weather, a top-of-the-table clash, and a good turn-out of both local and away supporters, this should be quite an occasion
Mousehole will be looking to extend their eleven-match winning run in the League at Trungle Parc going back to the beginning of September,  while also avenging their 3-0 defeat on a rain-sodden evening at Exmouth earlier in the month.
At the top of the table, Exmouth, Tavistock and Mousehole are all on 60 points, but separated on goal difference in that order, with Exmouth having played one game more
For Mousehole, Mark Goldsworthy (injured) and Paulo Sousa (illness) are missing from the match-day squad, with Jared Sims named as striker, and Josh Otto and Billy Curtis occupying the full-back positions.
This match was originally scheduled for New Year’s Day, but postponed by the Western League after an outbreak of Covid-19 in the Mousehole squad that also caused the Boxing Day local derby at Helston Athletic to be called off.
Before the match, a presentation is made to Steve Burt to mark his 250th appearance for Mousehole.  ‘Burtie’ joined the club in 2013, captained the 2015/16 League championship and Cup winning team – and also scored The Seagulls’ first-ever goal after promotion to the Western League this season.  He joins Billy Curtis who received his ‘250’ award a few weeks ago.
The weather at Trungle Parc is sunny, with a stiff breeze blowing up from the Cricket Club corner.

THE KEY POINTS OF THE MATCH
At kick-off It looks like a really big crowd in place, with Mousehole playing towards the Cricket Club end.
10 minutes: A great chance for Exmouth.  Ben Steer is in the clear to the left of goal after a defence-splitting move, but home keeper Ollie Chenoweth comes out to make a block from 8 yards
13 minutes:  Exmouth threaten again, with Aaron Denney turning on to a throw-in and shooting wide from 20 yards
21 minutes:  Jordan Harris has a sight of goal, his angled volley caught by the wind, staying in on the far touchline and putting Mousehole on the attack!
25 minutes: The same player muscles through to just inside the box but produces a harmless  shot straight at Chenoweth
27 minutes:  Mousehole’s first real attack.  Visiting keeper Robbie Powell comes out to half-clear from Hayden Turner, leaving Jared Sims to fire towards the unguarded net, but it’s scuffed away by a covering defender
30 minutes:  Levi Landricombe swerves a left-footed wind-assisted free kick from 19 yards towards the top corner – it looks a goal all the way until Ollie Chenoweth pulls off a magnificent save to turn it over the bar
31 minutes:  The Seagulls hit back, Jack Calver finding Callam Mconie in space inside the area – but alert defensive work crowds him out
40 minutes:  Ollie Chenoweth keeps out a menacing floated corner kick at the far post under pressure 
41 minutes: Exmouth close again – after a scramble in the hosts’ six yard box, Mark Richards is in the right place to scoop the ball off the line
43 minutes: Jordan Harris drives an 18-yard left-footer straight at Ollie Chenoweth
45+1 minutes:  Mousehole inches away from scoring with virtually the last kick of the half – Jared Sims chests the ball down in front of goal and somehow it’s scraped away before it can be prodded over the line
That’s half-time and it’s 0-0.  The visitors have had the better chances. The match officials for some reason are being engaged in prolonged and animated conversation by Exmouth players and staff.
The second half:
48 minutes: Mousehole substitute – the injured Josh Otto is replaced by Kyle Fraser in the same left-back position
50 minutes:  Exmouth’s Ace High is just too high with a 10-yards free header from a corner
54 minutes:  Mousehole have not yet been able to put together their familiar pattern of play, until Max Hill’s searching long ball puts Hayden Turner in space on the left and his low cross is driven over by Tallan Mitchell from just outside the area
63 minutes: Mousehole substitute – Jared Sims is replaced by Louis Price, a straight swap at central striker 
64 minutes: Close for Mousehole – Callam Mconie’s low left-footed cross-cum-shot from the right is hacked off the line at the far post
Half-way through the second half: Mousehole are beginning to make more of an impact
68 minutes:  Having said that, Levi Landricombe has the ball on his lethal left foot just inside the area but Steve Burt blocks the shot for a corner
69 minutes:  Exmouth’s Aaron Denny brings the ball in from the right and aims a curling left-footed drive towards the far corner – Ollie Chenoweth produces a flying save to keep the ball out
79 minutes:  Exmouth’s best chance of the match – Ben Steer has a wonderful one-on-one chance after a defensive slip and looks certain to score until Ollie Chenoweth advances to block the low shot from inside the area
85 minutes:  Ollie Chenoweth is nominated ‘Man of the Match’ for an outstanding goalkeeping performance 
90 minutes: Mousehole almost snatch a winner – Hayden Turner’s swerving low shot from the left is kept out at the far post by Robbie Powell’s fingertips
90+3 minutes:  At full time it’s 0-0.  Although the windy conditions have prevented both sides from showcasing their best qualities in front of a big crowd, there’s been plenty of goalmouth incident – hardly a boring nil-nil.

WHAT THIS RESULT MEANS FOR MOUSEHOLE
Mousehole’s first no-score draw of the season gives them a valuable point against strong opposition, and they remain in third place.  This was an important match, but not decisive, with Exmouth having six fixtures remaining and Tavistock and Mousehole seven – all including some difficult matches.

MOUSEHOLE LINE-UP(with used substitutes): Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Billy Curtis (C), Mark Richards, Max Hill, Josh Otto, Steve Burt, Tallan Mitchell, Jack Calver, Callam Mconie, Jared Sims, Hayden Turner

Other substitutes:  Aaron Dilley, Jack Symons

MATCH OFFICIALS:
Jonothan Green (Referee), with Ken Swift and Dave Bartlam (Assistants)

ATTENDANCE: 384 – easily beating the previous highest League crowd of the season (212 v Shepton Mallet) 

REMAINING FIXTURES FOR MOUSEHOLE
This Wednesday, 30th March, Away at Helston Athletic, 7.45pm
Saturday 2nd April, Home v Bitton, 3pm
Tuesday 5th April, Home v Keynsham Town, 7.45pm
Saturday 9th April, Away v Wellington, 3pm
Good Friday, 15th April, Home v Helston Athletic, 11am
Easter Monday, 18th April, Home v Ashton & Backwell United, 3pm
Saturday 23rd April, Away v Keynsham Town, 3pm