The fixtures’ computer had thrown up a double-double header for the Seagulls starting with the matches against Brixham and now followed up by a similar pairing with Bideford. Against Brixham we won in the league and lost in the FA Cup. Here we started with a win in the league and we await the fixture in the FA Trophy. The first half of the repeat was an exact repeat in the scoreline with a three-goal victory and a clean sheet but it could have been very different.

The first half saw Mousehole dominate possession but the visitors were ahead on almost every other metric. They had more chances, and their chances were better. They should have taken the lead when their centre forward was sent through for a one on one with Ollie Chenoweth. Against almost every keeper in the Southern League this would have been a goal but our last line of defence is more of a wall than that. He hurtled out, smothered the shot and held on to the ball. This was as good as goal and was celebrated as such in the main stand.

A few minutes later Mousehole took the lead. Charlie Davis is the set piece coach and he would have been purring to see one of his training ground moves pulled off to perfection. As Hayden Turner readied himself to take a wide free kick on the left, near the corner flag, the plus six footers were lined up at the far post but that was not the plan. Jack Calver was lurking unmarked in the ‘D’ and he received a short pass from the hitman. His first touch, a deft one, took him past the onrushing defender; his second touch, a thunderbolt, left the ball in the back of the net.

It was more than Mousehole deserved but football is a cruel game and just deserts are not always provided and so it was that the Bideford eleven left the field at half time feeling somewhat aggrieved to be behind. The home dressing room was not just relieved to be ahead,they were grateful not to be behind.

The second goal in a game is often vital and it proved to be so again here. The early chances in the second half again fell to Bideford but it was Mousehole who actually scored. It didn’t come till fifteen minutes from the end when nerves were rather frayed but it allowed the home fans to start relaxing and for finger nails to be saved from further chewing.

It followed a sustained period of pressure after a corner. Bideford could not clear their lines and the ball eventually fell to the feet of Captain Calver. He jinked his way into the box and, rather than unleashing another shot, bobbled the ball to the far post where poacher extraordinaire Tim Nixon pounced to slide the ball home. Game done and dusted but there was still time for three more moments to thrill the bumper Bank Holiday crowd.

Just two minutes later Tallan Mitchell was released into space thanks to a fine through ball from Player of the Match William Oduwa. Mitchell turned his man and sprinted towards the bye-line. He had time and space to look up and pick out Liam Prynn, hovering eight yards out. The Prynnster took one touch to steady himself before belting in the third.

Shortly afterwards the crowd was delighted to see the return of one of Cornish football’s favourite sons; Mark Goldsworthy. Almost nine months after his last appearance and strengthened by a bionic shoulder, Goldie took up his place at the top of the pitch. Within moments he was through on goal and, of course, scored. Sadly, the linesman flagged for offside but it was a moment to bring joy to all to see the golden-haired striker back in white and green.

The final almost-magic moment of a great day came when Hayden Turner won possession just inside his own half. He looked up and saw the Bideford keeper in no-person’s land. One swing of his mighty right boot sent the ball flying over the stricken keeper and into the royal blue sky. The crowd fell silent as time stood still, the ball travelling along a perfect parabola towards goal. No one dared breathe as it fell out of the sky destined for a goal of the season contender…but no. The hitman was millimetres off with his calculations and the ball smashed against the bar and into the grateful hands of the red-faced net guardian.

Another home win, another clean sheet, all celebrated on the terrazzo with a few pints of the cold stuff from our very own beer lorry. A perfect day in the last throws of the Cornish summer.