After a 7-2 reverse at Liskeard Athletic the previous week, Mousehole produced a much-improved performance on Marjon’s 3G pitch and might have come away with the result they deserved but for two unforced errors in two minutes just before half-time.
The Seagulls’ squad, featuring seven players aged 20 or under, had striker Matt McIlroy in goal for the still-injured Steve Parker-Billinge, ex-Leeds United youngster Max Hill in central defence, and the versatile Connor Davey returning from a short spell at Premier Division Helston Athletic. Missing from the team sheet were centre back Liam Andrew with a long-term injury, Lewis Caspall with work commitments, ex-Brentford Academy youngster Luke Dunn for family reasons, Finn Cross injured, and defender Ben Williams.
In an eventful first half showcasing two different footballing styles, Mousehole had the majority of possession as expected but were more creative and incisive than of late, with Bradley Wills just wide with a 20-yard shot, Connor Davey volleying against the bar from the edge of the box and Jorome Slew looking menacing with characteristic darting runs towards the danger area. The hosts meanwhile played a more direct game, forcing McIlroy into two diving saves and hitting the post on one occasion.
But just as the visitors were looking to be on the verge of the all-important breakthrough goal, the hosts took advantage of two gifts in as many minutes and reached the interval with an unlikely 2-0 lead and a one-man advantage. On 40 minutes, after Matt McIlroy’s miscued pass across the area was intercepted, young Joshua Storey’s foul prevented an open goal at the cost of a red card and a converted penalty. Marjon then seized the initiative against the 10 men and scored almost immediately from a simple tap in when a speculative cross into the box was only half cleared.
Mousehole started on the offensive after the break and in dominating the second half played some of their best football of the season. Early on, Luke Johnson came close with a fierce volley and Kevin Lawrence also made the goalkeeper work with a 40-yard lob. As Marjon were forced back, Jorome Slew shot over after a great move on 70 minutes and ten minutes later he was thwarted by a superb save after a brilliant pass by Connor Davey. In the last two minutes the home side had a rare sight of the Mousehole goal, hitting the post after a long ball out from their overworked defence, and there was still time for substitute Tyler Tonkin to slide a shot past the goalkeeper but not the covering defender.
The Seagulls had made light of their one-man deficit, showing belief in their ability to gain at least a draw, and in the end the home side will have been relieved to hear the final whistle.
Mousehole have now played six of the sequence of ten consecutive away league games caused by pitch refurbishment at Trungle Parc, and while they are still to record a win they will feel optimistic that things are coming together after this impressive showing. On Saturday (9th) they travel to Bude Town (3pm) who are also winless, having lost 2-1 at home to Dobwalls on the opening day and 4-1 away at Elburton Villa, and with a midweek local derby at Wadebridge Town on 5th September to come.
Mousehole: Matt McIlroy, Billy Curtis (captain), Joshua Storey, Max Hill, Yeshe Briar, Josh Otto, Bradley Wills, Kevin Lawrence, Connor Davey, Luke Johnson, Jorome Slew
Substitutes: Tyler Tonkin (for Bradley Wills), Louis Graham (for Luke Johnson)
Referee: Neil Hunnisett
