SEAGULLS MAINTAIN PROMOTION PUSH WITH HARD WORKING WIN

MOUSEHOLE 3-1 HOLSWORTHY

PENINSULA LEAGUE WEST DIVISION

SATURDAY 17TH MARCH 2018, AT TRUNGLE PARC

Mousehole secured their season’s ninth home win in the League to maintain their remarkable 100% home record and gain a vital three points to move back up into third spot in the table.  But Holsworthy, who had beaten Mousehole resoundingly by 4-0 at Upcott Field at the end of September, made the hosts work hard to achieve their victory and in the last few minutes came close to a previously unexpected equaliser.

The Seagulls had recent arrivals, former Helston Athletic club captain Jamie Thomson and ex-Ludgvan midfielder Ryan Holland, making their debuts, while Paul Williams deputised for the unwell Steve Parker-Billinge in goal, Josh Otto started, and Liam Andrew was serving a one-match suspension after his sending-off in the Cornwall Senior Cup semi-final.

Mousehole had the first chance after just three minutes when Connor Davey blazed over a great chance on the run, and visiting goalkeeper Ryan Walter was then forced into two good saves.  But Holsworthy came back with a near-post shot into the side netting, followed by an important close-range save by Paul Williams from Dan Wilson.  At the other end Calum Elliot advanced from deep to send a 25-yard left-foot shot past the near post, and on 40 minutes Mousehole went ahead with a freak goal when a defender’s clearance in a crowded penalty area cannoned off the unsuspecting Jake Andrew and nestled in the corner of the Magpies’ net.

In the second half The Seagulls’ patient passing in front of a massed defence paid off in the 72nd minute when half-time substitute Kevin Lawrence threaded a pass through the proverbial eye of the needle where top-scorer Luke Johnson cut inside from the left corner of the box and fired hard and low inside the far post from 15 yards.  With the home side now well on top, Ryan Walter produced an outstanding double-save to block Luke Johnson’s shot and substitute Jordan Adlard’s follow-up from close range in the 81st minute.

This spurred the visitors on to attack, creating a fast breakaway on 82 which required Paul Williams to save a one-on-one chance, and then earning a penalty after a trip by Calum Elliot a minute later.  Williams beat out the penalty but Carlo Chandler turned the loose ball into the net for 2-1 to set up a tense finish to the match.  With the hosts reduced to 10 men after Johnson went off after prolonged injury treatment, Holsworthy had a long-range drive just clear the crossbar on 90 minutes.  But another of Mousehole’s substitutes, Paulo Sousa, made the game safe in the 5th minute of added time, when he was fouled clumsily on the edge of the box, and curled a perfect free kick over the wall and inside the near post.

The promotion race remains tight, with the Seagulls now three points behind Liskeard Athletic from the same number of games, equal on points with Porthleven and two ahead of Millbrook, but with the last two teams having played two and three fewer games, respectively.  Of Mousehole’s remaining 11 League games, 7 are at home and 4 away, with the next fixture at home this Saturday (24th) at 3pm against Elburton Villa who are currently in seventh place, nine points behind Mousehole with four games in hand.

Mousehole: Paul Williams, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Calum Elliot, Chris Prout, Josh Otto, Jamie Thomson, Ryan Holland, Luke Johnson, Jake Andrew, Connor Davey.  Substitutes:  Kevin Lawrence (for Tyler Tonkin, 46), Jordan Adlard (for Jamie Thomson, 75), Paulo Sousa (for Connor Davey, 75)

Scorers:  Mousehole – Jake Andrew (40), Luke Johnson (72), Paulo Sousa (90+5);  Holsworthy – Carlo Chandler (83)

Referee:  Nigel Nicholls.     Attendance:  80.

 

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