MOUSEHOLE 0-2 TAVISTOCK
SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE CUP sponsored by Walter C Parson Funeral Directors
SEMI-FINAL TIE
TUESDAY 20TH MARCH 2018, AT MOUNT WISE, NEWQUAY AFC
Mousehole faced their fifth higher-division opposition in this season’s cup competitions but were edged out by the Premier Division’s second best side Tavistock, who were last season’s champions.
But there need be no excessive disappointment at this result, as The Seagulls’ performance on the night, together with the previous wins over Camelford, Launceston, Newquay and St Austell, demonstrated they will be more than capable of holding their own in the higher division. Playing with great organisation and skill, and enjoying periods of play with better possession and creativity, they succumbed to two late goals which will no doubt have brought considerable relief to the Devonians.
Tavistock, who have lost only three games all season, were the first to threaten with a shot across goal from the left on 13 minutes and on 21 they hit the underside of the bar from a similar position. But the two teams were proving to be equally matched and Calum Elliot drove narrowly wide on 29 minutes with a swerving 30-yard free kick and two minutes later Jake Andrew’s shot on the turn was straight at goalkeeper Josh Oak. Two minutes before the interval Will Vouama forced Oak into a sprawling save with a low shot from 25 yards, but at the other end in the last action of the half veteran Paul Williams – again deputising in goal for the unfit Steve Parker-Billinge – pulled off a magnificent close-range block from a one-on-one chance.
After Tyler Tonkin was withdrawn in the 58th minute, having dislocated and fractured his elbow, Mousehole had a dominant spell, almost making the crucial breakthrough on four occasions in a pulsating ten minutes, Luke Johnson’s shot requiring a diving save by the keeper, a Will Vouama-inspired left-wing break scrambled out for a corner, Paulo Sousa’s shot deflected over for another corner, and Jordan Adlard’s drive missing the far post by inches.
The Lambs were beginning to look vulnerable and frustrated, having by this stage picked up six yellow cards, but it was they who snatched the lead on 76 minutes. Tallan Burns found space on the left after a swift break and cut in at speed past two defenders to fire low into the net from 15 yards.
Mousehole’s talented Will Vouama was again crudely chopped down in the 79th minute, this time very close to the edge of the penalty area, and was subsequently replaced by Steven Ziboth. Paul Williams made another point-blank save from a header on 83, and a minute later Calum Elliot was despatched from centre back to centre forward, where he caused more discomfort for the Tavistock defence. However, on 89 Jack Crago scored The Lambs’ second goal in opportunist fashion, breaking through a tackle to slot home. Mousehole continued to play with positive conviction and after laying siege to the Tavistock goal had a score chalked off for offside on 90+2.
The latter stages of an entertaining match were marred by racist comments directed towards Mousehole’s black players by a section of the Tavistock supporters, which the club is currently reporting to the League and FA.
Despite defeat – their first in 15 games since mid-November – Mousehole still have plenty to look forward to: a first-ever Cornwall Senior Cup Final (on Easter Monday against Premier Division Saltash United at St Blazey AFC), and a Cornwall Charity Cup Semi-Final against fellow West Division rivals Liskeard Athletic (date and venue yet to be finalised). In the meantime, the essential business of gaining League points continues this Saturday, when The Seagulls, currently in third place in the table, welcome Plymouth-based Elburton Villa to Trungle Parc (3pm). Until last night, The Villa had been the last team to beat Mousehole, with a 3-1 win at Haye Road on 18th November, and they are currently six points behind Mousehole with three games in hand.
Mousehole: Paul Williams, Tyler Tonkin, Billy Curtis (captain), Liam Andrew, Calum Elliot, Kevin Lawrence, Jordan Adlard, Will Vouama, Luke Johnson, Jake Andrew, Paulo Sousa. Substitutes: Chris Prout (for Tyler Tonkin, 58), Steven Ziboth (for Will Vouama, 80), Josh Otto (for Jake Andrew, 84), Connor Davey.
Scorers for Tavistock: Tallan Burns (76), Jack Crago (89)
Referee: Steve Annis; Assistant Referees: Ian Roberts & Dave Dodson.
Attendance: 153
