Malvern 2 – 3 Mousehole

Phew!

Not since the 28th of September had the loyal travelling Seagull fans seen their team win away from the comfort of El Parc de Trungle. Coach, train and car trips had, of late, become acts of hope rather than faith but that was all forgotten when Hayden Turner chipped the keeper from 30 yards to clinch this victory. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

The day began with fears of an amber weather warning threatening the safety of the return trip but our brave coach dwellers still set off from Penzance at 8am. What’s an amber warning when there’s three points to be won? Malvern stand is a bit of a throwback bringing memories of Cinderford but their pitch is a 5g carpet fit for the age of AI. “If you can’t play on that…”

The match started fairly evenly with Mousehole marginally shading the early exchanges but after eight minutes that margin became concrete when the first goal was notched. A slick training ground move saw the ball end up at the feet of Tim Nixon on the left. He found a half yard of space and whizzed the ball across the box. Feet flicked out from players on both sides but a defender got the final touch. Sadly for him this did not have the desired effect as it sent the ball looping over a helpless keeper and into the net.

Fifteen minutes later the lead was doubled much to the relief of the visitors. Some defensive errors had gifted Malvern a few chances and it always looked like a one goal lead would not be enough. Another great move this time released Oscar Massey down the right. He pinged the ball across the goalmouth. It reached the far post where Nixon waited, like a hungry bear ready to gobble up the chance. From a yard out he couldn’t, and didn’t, miss.

This season has seen a number of points dropped from winning positions so when Malvern pulled one back before half time the nerves in the away dugout were set to jangle. Space was given up as the Mousehole defence pushed up and the ball found its way to the Malvern forward Sam Clark. He used his splendid isolation wisely and hit the back of Chenoweth’s net with comparative ease. The aroma of a comeback filled the air as the home punters queued up for their half time cocoa.

One visiting fan was overheard to say that it was almost next goal wins as the second half began and so it was rather alarming when a Jack Symons hand made contact with a cross and the referee pointed to the spot. An hour was up when the resultant kick was converted. If this was a cup final then the jug was anyone’s now.

Oscar Massey had run his legs off and all he’d had to show for it was a offside goal when the score was still 2-1. He came off along with Jack Syoms to be replaced by Paulo Sousa and Mark Goldsworthy. No sign of Jake Ash playing for a draw here. From the moment the substitutions were made there was only ever one winner.

Mousehole were dominant without quite being able to find the net. Corner followed corner and every one looked like it would yield a goal but Malvern stood firm. Just as it looked like it would be another two points dropped the hitman lit up a dark evening with some magic.

A punt upfield was nodded on by Sauso and landed at Hayden’s feet. He controlled it, saw the keeper standing marginally too far forward and lifted the ball over him. It flew through the dark early evening sky in a beautiful arc and entered the goal just below the bar. Players, management and fans erupted in celebration.

Malvern tried to pull it back but came nowhere near Ollie’s goal. The final whistle ended three months of winless travels and sparked much joy in everyone wearing green.