BRIDGWATER UNITED 1-0 MOUSEHOLE
BUILDBASE FA VASE SECOND ROUND
SATURDAY 20TH NOVEMBER 2021
AT FAIRFAX PARK
SUMMARY
This season’s FA Vase adventure was ended by a solitary goal but The Seagulls can hold their heads up high after a positive performance in which they controlled much of the play, struck the woodwork and found The Robin’s keeper in fine form with several exceptional saves
PRE-MATCH POINTS
Today’s FA Vase tie is the highest level of national competition Mousehole have ever played in. They reached this stage with a 1-0 away win at fellow Western League Premier side Shepton Mallet, followed by a 4-0 home win against WL Division One team Wells City.
Bridgwater are one of Somerset’s biggest clubs, having spent ten years until recently in the Southern League at Step 4. They are making their first appearance in this season’s FA Vase competition, having been exempt so far because of their 2020/21 achievements in reaching the Fourth Round.
In the WLP, Bridgwater are four points above Mousehole having played two games more, but The Robins have a superior goal difference by a 10-goal margin. Six weeks ago they inflicted a heavy defeat (6-2) on The Seagulls at Fairfax Park.
It’s The Robins versus The Seagulls – two sides in identical form over the last six league games, with four wins, one draw and one defeat.
If scores are level at full-time, the tie will be decided by a penalty shoot-out: no extra time and no replay. Today’s prize money is £900 for the winners, and £275 for the losing team.
Mousehole are without ‘keeper Ollie Chenoweth and Louis Price, both cup-tied, and the injured Andy Elcock, Jamie Devine and Josh Magin. Jimmy Weeks makes his third FA Vase appearance in goal for The Seagulls – he has yet to concede a goal.
AS IT HAPPENED – THE KEY MOMENTS
2 minutes: In a dangerous-looking Bridgwater attack, Paulo Sousa makes a vital headed interception at the far post. The hosts pack the six-yard box with their tallest players as the corner comes over, but it’s headed over.
5 minutes: Bridgwater repeat their corner routine, but again the header misses the target
6 minutes: Mousehole venture forward and Callam Mconie is too high with his effort
7 minutes: The Seagulls come close. Hayden Turner on the left receives a superb diagonal ball from Connor Leak-Blunt, moves inside onto his right foot and strikes a swerving 18-yarder just past the far angle
9 minutes: The Seagulls are playing positive football – Tallan Mitchell drives in a first-time volley from the edge of the penalty area and home keeper Jake Viney just manages to push it out at full length for a corner
16 minutes: Hayden Turner skips past three defenders at pace from just inside The Robins’ half and his angled cross-shot is acrobatically kept out by Viney
17 minutes: Tallan Mitchell is in space after a great run and pass inside by Connor Leak-Blunt, but keeper Viney again makes a great save – his third in quick succession – palming the low curling shot out at full stretch. The keeper has kept his side in the match so far.
23 minutes: Callam Mconie latches on to Connor Leak-Blunt’s set-up and sees Viney dive to push the shot out at the near post. Mousehole look threatening every time they approach The Robins’ box, but that man Viney is defiant!
24 minutes: Paulo Sousa makes a trademark surge down the left hand side and Mark Goldsworthy heads the cross down from 10 yards – this time it’s a more comfortable save for the keeper
26 minutes: Bridgwater return to the attack, with Jimmy Weeks beaten to the punch from a high cross – Josh Otto reads it perfectly to clear away from an open goal at the expense of a corner
27 minutes: The home side’s physical presence is again in evidence from the corner, with centre back Jordan Greenwood turning on a knock-down and volleying over from 8 yards. A difficult chance, but a warning for The Seagulls.
30 minutes: Half an hour gone and it’s still 0-0, despite lots of attacking intent. The home keeper has been the busiest and most effective player on the pitch.
38 minutes: We’ve gone through a scrappy period, but Bridgwater put together a sweeping side-to-side move and Josh Otto is obliged to head a dangerous cross out for a corner.
39 minutes: GOAL FOR BRIDGWATER. The hosts’ tactics pay off, as their big players crowd in front of goal and Jordan Greenwood heads the driven corner kick into the roof of the net from six yards. Bridgwater United 1-0 Mousehole.
40 minutes: Tallan Mitchell is again thwarted by Jake Viney as an 18-yard shot towards the corner is finger-tipped around the post
41 minutes: Callam Mconie’s left-footed corner kick from the right hand side whistles across goal at head height and out at the far side. Mousehole claim a corner, the referee says goal kick.
45+1 minutes: Mark Goldsworthy robs the ball from the two centre backs and Talan Mitchell shoots the loose ball over from 20 yards.
45+2 minutes: At half time The Robins have the lead, but The Seagulls will be disappointed not to be in front on the balance of play and attempts on goal.
The second half:
47 minutes: Mousehole straight on the attack – Hayden Turner’s cross-shot from the left is kept out by a flying save by Jake Viney
49 minutes: Hayden Turner again makes progress on the left – this time he gets to the byeline and crosses towards the near post where Mark Goldsworthy side foots the ball against the crossbar with Viney for once beaten. The ball is cleared before any Mousehole player can capitalise.
An hour gone. It’s still 1-0 with Mousehole on the offensive and Bridgwater looking to break quickly
61 minutes: An extraordinary moment as Callam Mconie’s corner kick zips low across goal with no-one getting a touch
67 minutes: Hayden Turner drives in a centrally positioned free kick from 25 yards and Viney punches it out to safety
70 minutes: Seagulls’ captain Billy Curtis is laid low by a late tackle and requires prolonged treatment
73 minutes: Bridgwater race forward into space after a Mousehole attack and Adnan Hiroli has a chance but is wide of the near post
76 minutes: A Bridgwater corner predictably causes a problem for the visitors. Jimmy Weeks makes a reflex save from close range – his first serious save of the match!
78 minutes: Another Bridgwater corner and the bodies pile in. Mousehole’s centre back Mark Richards is down requiring lengthy on-pitch treatment. Mousehole substitute – Mark Richards is replaced by Sean Roberts who takes up his usual midfield position.
81 minutes: The Robins are pressing forward a lot more. A corner kick this time goes right across goal and out.
82 minutes: Mark Goldsworthy has a half-chance at the other end, his shot from an angle going across goal rather than in
83 minutes: Bridgwater exploit the space as Mousehole are committed to attack, but 18-goal leading scorer Jack Taylor misses a great chance to make the tie safe by missing his header in front of goal
84 minutes: Tallan Mitchell creates a glimpse of a chance for Hayden Turner, who shoots wide under extreme pressure from two defenders
87 minutes: Mousehole substitute – Connor Leak-Blunt is replaced by Kyle Fraser, who takes up a left-sided position with Hayden Turner moving inside
88 minutes: A Bridgwater corner again creates danger with the header clearing the crossbar. Seconds later another heading chance is straight at keeper Jimmy Weeks.
90+5 minutes: We’re well into added time caused by the earlier stoppages. Referee Lilley indicates there are still several minutes to go. The home crowd are increasingly anxious. Can Mousehole get the goal to take the tie to penalties?
90+6 minutes: A good chance for Mousehole but Callam Mconie is well wide with a free kick from 20 yards.
90+12 minutes: The full-time whistle and it’s Bridgwater United 1-0 Mousehole.
CONCLUSION
A gallant performance by Mousehole – a massive difference compared with the League defeat a few weeks ago. It says something that the man-of-the-match was the home side’s goalkeeper, who made several top-quality saves. On another day, a different result? The League now becomes the focus, with The Seagulls looking to win their games in hand and climb up the table.
MOUSEHOLE LINE-UP (with used substitutes):
Jimmy Weeks (GK), Billy Curtis (C), Mark Richards (Sean Roberts), Josh Otto, Paulo Sousa, Steve Burt, Tallan Mitchell, Connor Leak-Blunt (Kyle Fraser), Callam Mconie, Mark Goldsworthy, Hayden Turner.
Other substitutes: Max Hill, Charlie Willis, Jonny Ludlam, Jake Ash
MATCH OFFICIALS
Dave Lilley (Referee) with Mandy Kerfoot & Ian Smith (Assistants)
ATTENDANCE: 327
NEXT MOUSEHOLE FIXTURE
This Saturday, 27th November, kick off 3pm: Home v Saltash United (WLP).
Close to the 40th anniversary of the Penlee Lifeboat Tragedy, this fixture will include the official opening of the ‘Solomon Browne Stand’ by RNLI Penlee Lifeboat, with Mousehole AFC donating half the gate money to the Branch, and Mousehole Male Voice Choir also performing.
