MOUSEHOLE’S BIG DAY…..AND A SIX-GOAL THRILLER!
MOUSEHOLE 3-3 WELLINGTON
Steve Burt (28), Jamie Devine (45+1), Josh Magin (52)
TOOLSTATION WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 31ST JULY 2021
AT TRUNGLE PARC
Playing their first game at the highest level in the club’s history, Mousehole had to settle for a draw against seasoned Western League side Wellington. The slightly disappointing result could not detract from a magnificent day that showcased the club in the best possible light. Nearly 200 spectators enjoyed a warm welcome to a smart stadium, first-class hospitality and a superb playing surface, together with an enthralling contest, with plenty of ebb and flow, defensive mishaps and near-misses.
How it happened:
Preview points:
- Mousehole have never before played in the Western League, whereas Wellington have been members since 1978
- It’s warm at pitch-side but nowhere near as hot as the last home PSF game
- The Somerset side have had a five-hour coach journey, arriving at 2pm – it’s their longest away trip of the season. They will play in their club colours of tangerine and black
- Mousehole, wearing their new centenary shirts, are missing striker Mark Goldsworthy, still in recovery mode from the head injury against Parkway two weeks ago; but they have the experienced Jack Calver among the substitutes
Kick-off is preceded by a minute’s applause for Jock Liston (1948-2021), a long-standing servant to Mousehole AFC as player, secretary, treasurer and supporter
20 minutes gone: It’s 0-0. Wellington have seized the initiative, strong, quick and organised, with lots of forward bursts but no clear-cut chances yet. Mousehole having to defend but doing it well so far.
26 minutes: Mousehole suddenly in with a chance. Tallan Mitchell intercepts a risky pass on the edge of the visitors’ box and the toe-end of keeper Connor Sidley-Adams’ boot diverts the shot just past the post
26 minutes: GOAL FOR WELLINGTON. Seagulls’ keeper Cory Harvey is first to a through-ball but boots the clearance straight to MILES QUICK whose first-time 30-yard drive sails into the empty net despite Josh Otto’s attempt to head clear. A gift for the visitors, but deserved on the balance of play so far.
28 minutes: MOUSEHOLE EQUALISER. Hayden Turner shields the ball with his back to goal and lays the ball off for STEVE BURT to fire a right-footer from 15 yards into the far top corner.
33 minutes: A Wellington free kick from the side of the box looks dangerous as their big defenders have come up, but the ball floats over the heads of everyone
36 minutes: The visitors come close again as a left-sided corner is whipped low across the six-yard line without anyone getting a touch
37 minutes: Great chance for Mousehole. Josh Magin latches on to Jamie Devine’s lofted pass and goes past Jack Lewis and in on goal, but shoots into the side-netting from 15 yards
41 minutes: A Wellington free kick in a central position 20 yards out by Rohan Poulsom clears the crossbar by millimetres but with Cory Harvey covering
44 minutes: GOAL FOR WELLINGTON. Jamie Devine trips over the ball 30 yards out, Rohan Poulsom exploits the space and feeds JAKE QUICK who shows great composure to bring the ball on to his left foot and side-foot home from ten yards. Another gift, but a very cool finish.
45 minutes: Hayden Turner’s speed takes him clear on the right and his low angled drive is finger-tipped by Sidley-Adams to shave the far post
45+1: GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE: It’s 2-2 as Jude Boyd’s inswinging corner is met by JAMIE DEVINE who holds his position expertly at the far post to head down into the net and atone for his earlier error
45+2: Mousehole on the attack again, with Josh Magin’s edge-of-the-box drive deflected for a corner, but the whistle then goes for the end of the half.
Half-time: Mousehole 2-2 Wellington. An end-to-end affair, with Wellington looking better in attack than in defence, and twice taking the lead, but Mousehole equalising each time within two minutes thanks to rare goals from unlikely scorers.
48 minutes: Mousehole have made a brisker start after the interval. Tallan Mitchell’s cross-come-shot goes wide.
50 minutes: The lively Rohan Poulsom tries an unexpected 50-yard lob for the visitors, but Cory Harvey is there to see it drift wide
52 minutes: GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE. The Seagulls take the lead for the first time in the match. Hayden Turner drives in a low cross from the left and JOSH MAGIN gets in front of everybody to side-foot the ball in at the near post from six yards.
59 minutes: Harry Gardner sends in another long-distance lob for Wellington, this time from the halfway line, with Cory Harvey perfectly positioned to chest it down
62 minutes: So close for Mousehole! Andy Elcock slices right through the visitors’ defence in a penetrating 30-yard run with only the keeper to beat but hits the post.
63 minutes: Stunning save by Cory Harvey – the keeper makes amends for his earlier aberration, denying Wellington a certain equaliser with a reflex save on the line from Sam Towler’s downward header
64 minutes: Mousehole hit the woodwork again! Hayden Turner outpaces centre-back Tom Stone to race in on goal but hammers the ball against the near post
65 minutes: Mousehole substitute – Callam Mconie replaces Jude Boyd
67 minutes: Two Mousehole chances in quick succession. Callam Mconie miscues Tallan Mitchell’s cross at the far post, and seconds later drives wide from a promising position
72 minutes: A Mconie cross is just out of reach of Tallan Mitchell in front of goal
74 minutes: Mousehole substitute – Jack Calver replaces Steve Burt
76 minutes: Off the line! Wellington defenders perform heroics to keep the ball out from both Callam Mconie and Hayden Turner
15 minutes to go: Mousehole are on top and in control, but they need another goal. Wellington are being forced back but they’re still in the game at 3-2!
80 minutes: At last Wellington mount an attack, but then waste a free kick 40 yards out.
88 minutes: Mousehole substitute – Sean Roberts replaces Josh Magin
90 minutes: We’re at the end of normal time and the home crowd are willing the final whistle for a famous victory.
90+1 minutes: GOAL FOR WELLINGTON. It’s 3-3 from another defensive blunder. Substitute Jack Porter takes a throw-in on the left, level with the 18-yard line, the ball travels unchallenged towards the near post where JAKE QUICK converts the chance from close in.
Full time: Mousehole 3-3 Wellington. The result scarcely does Mousehole justice for their second half dominance. But overall they’ve paid the price for missed chances and defensive errors, and all credit to Wellington for a worthy point over the 90+ minutes. Plenty of positives for Mousehole and also plenty of things to learn from.
Mousehole: Cory Harvey, Billy Curtis (c), Mark Richards, Jamie Devine, Josh Otto, Steve Burt (Jack Calver), Andy Elcock, Tallan Mitchell, Josh Magin (Sean Roberts), Hayden Turner, Jude Boyd (Callam Mconie). Unused substitutes: Kyle Fraser, Charlie Wills.
Match officials: Jon Green (Referee), Dean Kitley & Neil Rudkin (Assistants).
Attendance: 191
Next:
Tuesday 3rd August: Away v Millbrook, Western League Premier, 7.45pm. Millbrook’s first League fixture of the season after promotion.
Then:
Saturday 7th August: Home v Helston Athletic, FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round, 3pm. Mousehole’s first-ever FA Cup tie. Winners home in the FA Cup Preliminary Round to Plymouth Parkway on Saturday 21st August, 3pm. Also promoted, Helston won their opening Western League fixture 7-1 away at Bridport, and are home to Saltash United on Wednesday.
