MOUSEHOLE 2-0 WENDRON UNITED
SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST
SATURDAY 30th MARCH 2019
AT TRUNGLE PARC
SEAGULLS SPRING FORWARD TO SECOND PLACE AFTER EIGHTH STRAIGHT WIN
In a competitive and entertaining game played in a great spirit, Mousehole had to put in a hard-working and patient performance, with two second half goals proving enough to overcome an improving Wendron United side who in sixth place are enjoying their best season since joining the South West Peninsula League in 2015.
For The Seagulls, this latest result – their eighth consecutive league win since the beginning of January, with 36 goals scored and only two conceded – saw Kevin Nicholson’s side leapfrog one-time league leaders Porthleven into second place, six points behind leaders Liskeard Athletic with both teams having five fixtures remaining.
There was plenty of goalmouth action right from the start. Within the first 20 minutes, Gerens James had a header saved, scuffed a shot off target and prodded a near-post cross wide. In between, Seagulls’ keeper Jason Robertson made a vital save, as in previous matches, keeping out a Wendron free kick aimed at the top corner, while a last-ditch tackle on the edge of the six yard box snuffed out a promising opening for the visitors, and TJ Walter shot weakly when put through the home defence. Kieron Toland came within inches of a Mousehole goal with a left foot 18-yarder rebounding off the post and then sent a drive over the crossbar from further out.
Mousehole then gradually got on top, James heading Paulo Sousa’s cross too high and side-footing Tyler Tonkin’s bobbling low cross over, while Toland just failed to get the right touch when put through by the ever dangerous Amara Bakayoko. The pressure continued up to the interval, with keeper Dan Stedman collecting the ball bravely on two occasions from Toland’s and then Bakayoko’s low crosses in front of goal. On 45+1, Lez Cela advanced from a deep position and brushed the side netting with a curling 20-yard shot, bringing to an end a rare goal-less but still interesting first half.
The second period started in similar fashion, Bakayoko’s low cross being cleared in front of goal. But at the other end there were moments of drama as Will Paul took a through ball past keeper Robertson on 52 minutes only for last-man Billy Curtis to rescue an open-goal situation with a timely interception, and shortly afterwards Jack Stocker was denied by the shot-stopping keeper.
Back came Mousehole, as Tonkin’s dipping cross-cum-shot was kept out by Stedman’s feet, Toland’s fierce drive hit a defender and Hamza Kaid’s angled shot was deflected for a corner. But on 68 minutes, The Dron’s well organised rearguard was at last breached, Sousa’s low cross along the edge of the six yard box converted by Bakayoko with a sharp drive into the corner.
The visitors had just one more chance from a wind-assisted swerving corner which was brilliantly headed out close to the line by Ben Williams after 71 minutes, but from then on Mousehole were in control, Bakayoko and substitute Dan Osomebi firing over when well placed, before Gerens James deservedly got on the scoresheet in the 77th minute, knocking the ball past Stedman and in off the underside of the bar from eight yards out after some crisp short passing on the edge of the box and Cela’s crafty reverse ball. Bakayoko then blasted in a shot which was saved by Stedman at the second attempt, and just before the full time whistle James headed in from a close range but offside position.
Mousehole are at home again at Trungle Parc this Saturday (6th April) against Plymouth Marjon, with free entry offered to all comers.
The Seagulls will be looking to complete a quick ‘double’ over their mid-table opponents, having won 5-1 on the Derriford Campus synthetic pitch six weeks ago in a match notable not just for the scoreline but also for the large number of yellow cards issued to the hosts for dissent.
On the same day, Liskeard will be at home to Holsworthy, whose 1-0 away success last week condemned Porthleven to just one win in the last five.
Mousehole: Jason Robertson, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Ben Williams, Paulo Sousa, Steve Burt, Kieron Toland, Lez Cela, Hamza Kaid, Gerens James, Amara Bakayoko
Substitutes: Dan Osomebi (for Kieron Toland, 69), Jerry Gyebi (for Tyler Tonkin, 69), Callum George (for Hamza Kaid, 81), Kevin Nicholson, Sam Shulberg
Scorers: Amara Bakayoko (68), Gerens James (77)
Referee: Marc Rose. Attendance: 72
