Mousehole 1-2 Hartpury University
Isuzu FA Vase Second Round
Saturday 12th November 2022
At Trungle Parc
SUMMARY
In one of Trungle Parc’s best games seen in recent years, played between two evenly matched footballing sides, Hartpury University lived up to their growing reputation by knocking Mousehole out of the Competition in a contest of fine margins.
MATCH PREVIEW
When the draw was made three weeks ago, the reaction in the Mousehole camp was that this could be the most difficult of all the possible opponents at this stage of the competition, given the visitors’ impressive recent track record.
Gloucester-based Hartpury College and University is one of the foremost sports development institutions in the country, perhaps best known for the rugby union side who play in the same Championship Division as Cornish Pirates. The football club was officially formed just three seasons ago and in that time they have lost a mere four League games. In 2021/22 they had a 100% winning season and gained promotion to Step 6. They now occupy another possible promotion place this season, and have already beaten higher-league opposition in the previous Round of the FA Vase.
Nicknamed ‘The Acorns’, they benefit from full-time training and coaching, with professional-level science, technology and psychology support, as an integrated part of their sports-related degree studies. Over recent years more than 30 ex-students have gone on to become professional footballers, and others have forged a career in sports-related fields.
While the visitors are first-time entrants to the FA vase this season, Mousehole are in their third campaign in a row. So far this season The Seagulls have recorded two good away wins, 5-1 at fellow Western League Premier side Shepton Mallet, and 3-1 at Hellenic Premier League team Lydney Town. Victory today would see them reach the Third Round for the first time ever.
This promises to be an enthralling encounter between two teams with very similar footballing philosophies. If the scores are level at full-time, the tie will be decided at that point by a penalty shoot-out.
Before kick-off there’s a minute’s silence with a dual purpose: to honour the life of local football ‘legend’ Tony Claypole, and in remembrance of all those who have lost their lives in wars.
THE KEY POINTS OF THE MATCH
2’: Hartpury make a quick start. They cleverly create space for a shot by Justin Hall from 25 yards and it’s not far over the bar.
5’: The hosts on the attack. Tallan Mitchell sweeps in from the left and drills a right-foot shot at goal which keeper Stephen Sarcodie spills and then gathers
10’: The visitors are awarded a free kick near the outside angle of the penalty area. Josh Beadle unexpectedly swerves a shot towards the near post which hits the side netting with keeper Lewis Moyle covering it at full stretch
13’: Now Mousehole come close. Reece Thomson turns on to a right-sided low cross, shoots from inside the area and it’s cleared off the line
14’: Jack Calver is out of luck as he hammers a loose ball goalwards from 20 yards but it skims past the far post
16’: Referee Kaymaz turns down Mousehole appeals for handball as Adel Gafaiti heads down Callam Mconie’s corner at the far post
17’: Brave and alert goalkeeping from Sarcodie, who gets in front of Mark Goldsworthy as the striker looks to pull the trigger from six yards – the keeper is injured but not seriously
20’: Mousehole have created a few half-chances so far, but Hartpury look dangerous on the attack with pace and movement. Home keeper Lewis Moyle makes a smart catch at his near post to cut out a threatening moment.
21’: Speedy striker Morgan Mahoney is causing The Seagulls’ defence a few problems and this time he tries to exploit a mistake deep in defence, forcing Lewis Moyle into a sprawling save with a shot inside the box
22’: Hartpury again look menacing – Adel Gafaiti makes a vital clearance with a diving header in front of goal
Half-way through the first half: Hartpury are demonstrating their credentials!
27’: GOAL FOR HARTPURY UNIVERSITY. A quick break on the right deceives the Mousehole defence, a fierce shot comes in from inside the area, Lewis Moyle parries the ball and MORGAN MAHONEY is in the right place for a tap in.
At the half-hour point: Hartpury are looking energised while Mousehole are not being allowed to create much from open play
35’: Callam Mconie’s corner kick finds Max Hill six yards out, but the tall centre back is under enormous physical pressure and can’t direct his header
37’: Morgan Mahoney has a glorious chance to make it 2-0 for the visitors after another defensive slip, but he fires hurriedly wide of the near post on the run
38’: From another Mconie corner, keeper Sarcodie’s aerial challenge with Reece Thomson forces the header to go too high
40’: Mousehole have a great breakaway opportunity from half-way led by Tallan Mitchell, but he over-runs the ball 25 yards out and it’s cleared
43’: Mousehole at last put together a trademark forward passing move, with Tallan Mitchell releasing Paulo Sousa for clear chance from 15 yards – it’s a let-off for the visitors as the left-foot shot misses the angle of near post and bar
45+2’: GOAL FOR HARTPURY UNIVERSITY. In massively controversial circumstances, LUCA ROBINSON makes it 2-0 just before half-time. Tallan Mitchell appears to be fouled by two defenders just outside the corner of the visitor’s penalty area, the Mousehole players stop for the expected whistle, Hartpury pump the ball forward and the speedy winger takes advantage of an over-stretched back line to score one-on-one. The Referee is unmoved by the long protests from the home bench. A potentially decisive fifteen seconds?
45+4’: Tallan Mitchell is sent to the sin-bin for continuing to express his surprise at the officials’ decision
At 45+5’ it’s half-time – the visitors were well worth a one-goal lead, but have benefitted hugely from some good fortune to double their advantage.
The second half:
Mousehole will be playing with ten men for the first nine minutes.
46’: Mousehole substitute – Steve Burt is replaced by Louis Price, as the hosts reinforce their much-needed attacking options
53’: Louis Price sends in a low cross from the left which bounces off keeper Sarcodie as Mark Goldsworthy closes in, but the loose ball is hacked away
55’: It’s back to 11 v 11 as Tallan Mitchell is allowed to return
58’: A big chance for Hartpury as a pass inside the six-yard box isn’t converted from close range
60’: The visitors force another mistake in midfield with their determined pressing, but Luca Robinson misses the target with a clear opening
62 minutes: Mousehole substitute – Paulo Sousa is replaced by Andy Elcock as the hosts aim to seize the initiative in midfield
64’: Mousehole’s best chance of the second half is created by Callam Mconie for Tallan Mitchell, who has time and space but drives way over the bar from 18 yards
67’: We’re at the half-way point of the second period, and Hartpury come very close to a third goal after a swift and skilful break, with keeper Lewis Moyle somehow diverting Justin Hall’s shot on to the upright and out
72’: Tallan Mitchell’s mazy run into the box ends with a shot deflected wide by last-ditch defending
73’: Mousehole substitute – Josh Otto is replaced by Josh Baxter
75’: The visitors have looked dangerous going forward on the break and look as likely to score as do Mousehole, but now they decide to pull back into a more defensive formation – which might give the home side more space and time in midfield. The intensity shown by both sides is outstanding.
78’: Louis Price latches on to a smart one-two on the edge of the box but fires wide left-footed under severe pressure
80’: Hartpury clear a corner off the line twice in quick succession as Mark Goldsworthy and Josh Baxter try to nudge it home
81’: Off the line again! This time Tallan Mitchell is denied from Callam Mconie’s short free kick
82’: Keeper Sarcodie makes a scarcely believable reflex save on the line to keep out Tallan Mitchell’s attempt
85’: Suddenly it’s all Mousehole. A goal now would set up a rousing finish. Louis Price’s overhead kick from a long throw is saved by the watchful Sarcodie.
87’: A promising moment for Mousehole, with a free kick right on the 18-yard line, but Jack Calver’s left-foot drive is deflected for a corner
88’: Keeper Sarcodie rescues his side with an impressive catch high under his crossbar
89’: Hartpury break forward at speed and full-back Ben Baxter is in an advanced position to shoot from an angle, with Lewis Moyle saving at full stretch by his near post
90+2’: GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE. Tallan Mitchell aims for goal with a left-sided free kick, Sarcodie for once can’t hold on and REECE THOMSON is quickest to the loose ball to poke it over the line. A just reward for 15 minutes of constant pressure – but is it too late?
90+7’: There’s the full-time whistle. Hartpury contain the late Mousehole onslaught with admirable resilience, their earlier play in effect creating the win to take them into the next Round.
Knocked out of two Cup competitions this week, it’s back to League priorities for The Seagulls, knowing that today’s type of performance should see them do well – and that they won’t be facing too many opponents with this level of quality!
MOUSEHOLE (with used substitutes):
Lewis Moyle (GK), Josh Otto (Josh Baxter 73’), Adel Gafaiti, Max Hill, Paulo Sousa (Andy Elcock 62’), Tallan Mitchell, Reece Thomson, Jack Calver (C), Steve Burt Louis Price 46’), Callam Mconie, Mark Goldsworthy
Other substitutes: Kyle Fraser, Ollie Chenoweth (GK), Josh Magin
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Murat Kaymaz (Referee) with David Sellars and Adam Davies (Assistant Referees)
ATTENDANCE: 172
NEXT FOR MOUSEHOLE:
POSTPONED
Tuesday 15th November v Buckland Athletic, Les Phillips Cup (visitors involved in County Cup tie)
Saturday 19th November, 3pm
Away v Sherborne Town, WLP
Tuesday 22nd November, 7.45pm
Away v Millbrook
Saturday 26th November, 3pm
HOME v Ashton & Backwell United, WLP
Saturday 3rd December, 3pm HOME v Keynsham Town, WLP
