PENWITH EXILES 0-1 MOUSEHOLE RESERVES
TRELAWNY LEAGUE DIVISION 1
SATURDAY 16TH DECEMBER 2017
AT MOUNTS BAY ACADEMY
The only game in the Division to survive the weather, this fixture was important to both teams at the top of table, Mousehole having been the victors by 4-0 in the corresponding home game earlier in the season. A well-attended, entertaining and tense local derby was settled with a late Michael Fitchett goal to inflict Penwith Exiles’ first home defeat since the 2013/14 season, but there was still time for more drama as the hosts then missed a penalty and with it the chance to share the points.
Mousehole made an early substitution after 10 minutes into the first half, with Jamie Robinson replacing Michael Fitchett. An evenly contested first half ended goal-less, after Exiles had an excellent effort saved by ‘keeper Paul Williams after 35 minutes to prevent the hosts grabbing the vital first goal.
Exiles started the second half with a very positive attitude and it was not long before Paul Williams was again in action, saving a free-kick from the edge of the box after a foul which earned Tom McGarry a yellow card. The home side started to gain the upper hand, and but failed to capitalise on some good chances which should have seen them go ahead. At the other end, Nathan Goodspeed placed an excellent ball across the Exiles box, but there was nobody at hand to apply the finishing touch. Mousehole had to be at their best to blunt Exiles’ attacks, with solid defence and the mid-field standing their ground. Chris Bullock was very much a lone figure up front and Jamie Robinson and Tom Patrick attacking from the wings also came up against a very stubborn Exiles back line.
With a quarter of an hour left, Mousehole made several substitutions and within minutes good team play saw Jamie Simons find Michael Fitchett, now playing in a more central attacking position after his return to the field, and he managed to evade the Exiles defence and slot the ball home, prompting jubilation both on and off the pitch.
But with the outcome of the game hanging by a thread, the Exiles came straight back to cut short the celebrations as they were awarded a penalty. The resulting spot kick hit the underside of the crossbar and was then headed into the net by the penalty taker, but referee Neil Harvey correctly disallowed the ‘goal’ as the ball had not been touched by any other player. The remaining minutes were tense, with Exiles desperate to get back into the game but Mousehole determined to hold on to their precious lead.
This was a true ‘derby’ game, with both teams wanting the three points. Mousehole used their squad, including the rolling substitutions, to full advantage, and proved that the performance and result is not all about individual play but the combined efforts of all players wanting that win and standing resolute in true ‘Flying All Together’ spirit, when it mattered.
The top-of-the-table Seagulls are now 5 points ahead of Hayle and 8 ahead of Exiles, both of whom have a game in hand, with their next fixture on Saturday 30th December (2:30pm) at home to Threemilestone in a Division 1 match, to be played at Marazion as the First team have a League Cup 3rd Round tie against Premier Division Launceston at Trungle Parc.
Mousehole squad: Paul Williams, Joe Davies (captain), Lee Robinson, Harry Tonkin, Jason Simmonds, Tom McGarry, Nathan Godspeed, Michael Fitchett, Tom Patrick, Chris Bullock, Jamie Simons, Jamie Robinson, Matthew Howes, Ben Fewkes.
