MOUSEHOLE 2-1 LUDGVAN
CORNWALL ‘DURNING LAWRENCE’ CHARITY CUP, FIRST ROUND
SATURDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2017, AT TRUNGLE PARC, PAUL
View a copy of the Matchday Programme here >>> Match Programme Mousehole Ludgvan
In West Cornwall’s ‘Match of the Day’, Mousehole and Ludgvan produced a typically hard-fought local derby in front of a large crowd of 153 spectators on a sunny but cool afternoon at the impressively refurbished Trungle Parc, with the hosts just edging through to the second round of the Cornwall ‘Durning Lawrence’ Charity Cup.
Mousehole came into the match lying in 14th place in the West Division table, having played their first 10 games away, but with only one defeat in the previous six league and cup matches. Ludgvan on the other hand had made a sensational 10-game unbeaten start to their first season at this level after gaining promotion from the Cornwall Combination, and stood two points ahead at the top of the table with games in hand over the teams just below.
Extra interest was added to an intriguing-looking fixture as Mousehole had won 3-2 at Ludgvan in the League Cup first round back in September, in front of another near-150 crowd.
And just as in that previous cup match, Mousehole made another quick start, going ahead after only 4 minutes when Luke Johnson came inside from the right and placed a low left-foot shot just inside the far post from 15 yards.
Gerens James and Jamie Devine missed clear chances for the visitors before prolific scorer James deservedly equalised on 33 minutes with a clever looping header after Dan Magee’s right-sided free kick had been glanced on by Craig Wilcox.
The Seagulls came close when Jordan Adlard fired just over the angle from 30 yards, but it was The Hurlers who were creating the better chances, Jamie Devine heading wide again from a good position and Gerens James through on goal but thwarted by goalkeeper Steve Parker-Billinge’s diving save for a corner when a goal looked probable.
So it came as a surprise when Mousehole regained the lead on 44 minutes, albeit with a superbly worked goal. Recent signing Calum Elliot gained possession in his own half, carried the ball forward with great control and pace, and slid a perfectly-timed defence-splitting pass for the speedy Connor Davey to roll the ball calmly past the advancing Mike Flores for his first goal in a Mousehole shirt.
Ludgvan came very close to getting back on terms in the last action of the first half, SPB palming out a shot and the loose ball being driven across the face of the goal with Gerens James in close attendance.
In a second period with no further goals but plenty of near misses, Ludgvan’s direct play and strong running forced Mousehole into their best defensive performance of the season, typified by another flying save by SPB from Ross Duncan’s 25-yard drive, several blocks and interceptions at crucial moments, some exciting but unsuccessful breakaways of their own, and in a dramatic last couple of minutes, after Gerens James’ unchallenged 10-yard header from a corner had gone marginally wide, Billy Curtis played a true captain’s role as he threw himself in front of a great chance for the visitors to take the game into extra time.
After being knocked out of all three cup competitions at first-round stage (twice by Mousheole), Ludgvan can now concentrate on consolidating their position as League front-runners, with seven of the next nine fixtures at home, starting this Saturday (11th) when mid-table St Dennis are the visitors to Fairfield (2.15 kick off).
Mousehole on the other hand still have an interest in the Cornwall Senior Cup, with Cornwall Combination side RNAS Culdrose at Trungle Parc for a second round tie on 2nd December; the League Cup, with Premier Division Launceston the visitors in the third round on 30th December; and the Charity Cup with the second round due to be played on 10th February.
In the meantime, The Seagulls resume League action on Saturday (11th) with a home fixture against second-bottom Illogan RBL (2.15). Then, after an away trip to Plymouth to face Elburton Villa the following Saturday, they have a sequence of 12 home fixtures stretching well into February.
Mousehole: Steve Parker-Billinge, Tyler Tonkin (Josh Otto, 46), Billy Curtis (captain), Max Hill, Liam Andrew, Kevin Lawrence, Calum Elliot, Connor Davey, Jordan Adlard (Yeshe Briar, 88), Luke Johnson, Matt McIlroy (Bradley Wills, 58). Other substitutes: Caleb Marsden, Josh Storey.
Ludgvan: Mike Flores, Dan Magee, Alfie Turner, Mark Richards (captain), Zack Williams, Joe Day, Sean Roberts, Craig Wilcox, Ross Duncan, Gerens James, Jamie Devine. Substitutes: Ryan Holland, Wade Brown, Ryan Andrew, Stefen Barbegello, Jacob Trudgeon
Scorers: Mousehole – Luke Johnson (4), Connor Davey (44). Ludgvan – Gerens James (33)
Referee: Derek Hughes.
Attendance: 153.
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