Helston Athletic 1-1 Mousehole (Helston win 4-1 on penalties)
Les Phillips Cup First Round
Tuesday 22nd February 2022 At Kellaway Park
Summary:
With Manager Jake Ash making use of the wide range of talent available, his new-look Mousehole line-up did themselves and everyone else proud with a terrific performance to force the tie to a penalty shoot-out at full-strength Helston Athletic
Pre-match points:
The Les Phillips Cup is the competition for all 40 Western League clubs, named after the former Chairman (1973 to 1988).
Mousehole are playing their first-ever match in the competition, having received a bye while Helston beat Millbrook 2-1 at home in the preliminary round.
Manager Jake Ash names a completely different starting XI to that in the last match at Clevedon, giving a taste of First team squad experience to nine of the promising Development squad who play two steps below in the St Piran League (West), together with a sprinkling of experienced First Team regulars.
The Development Team have recently hit form, winning their last two games 6-0 (away) and 5-0 in the League Cup against the previously unbeaten East Division leaders.
Helston name their usual Western League squad, with top scorer Stuart Bowker among a strong substitutes’ bench.
This is the second of four matches between the two sides this season. Mousehole won the first 3-1, an FA Cup tie in August at Trungle Parc. The Boxing Day fixture at Kellaway Park was postponed by the League following evidence of the increasing spread of Covid infections in the Mousehole camp – that match has been re-scheduled for Wednesday 30th March. The return league fixture at Trungle Parc is on Good Friday (15th April).
The pitch has recovered well after recent storms and is in good condition for the time of year.
The key moments of the match:
2 minutes: Helston come close as Matt Wright directs a header on to the crossbar and over
6 minutes: GOAL FOR HELSTON. A headed-on long ball puts MATT WRIGHT in the clear and he lobs over the stranded Piran Jones from inside the area
13 minutes: Mousehole’s new side have made a shaky start, but they now put together a good quick passing move, with Louis Price forcing keeper Mike Searle to turn a low drive out for a corner
16 minutes: At the other end keeper Piran Jones makes a point-blank save to prevent the hosts doubling their lead
23 minutes: The 17-year old keeper makes another important save from Craig Veal, low down at the near post
25 minutes: Mike Searle makes an equally good save, clutching Jared Sims’ low 15-yard shot through a crowded penalty area
27 minutes: Craig Veal drives in an angled volley on the run and Piran Jones tips it over the bar
36 minutes: The young keeper races out quickly and bravely to block a one-on-one burst by Craig Veal 25 yards out
38 minutes: It’s not all one-way traffic as Mousehole test the home side’s defence with some slick passing and nimble movement
39 minutes: The Seagulls come close. Aaron Dilley whips in a free kick from the left of the ‘D’ and Mike Searle touches it over the bar
40 minutes: GOAL FOR MOUSEHOLE. The corner is worked to the edge of the box where Helston concede another free kick, this time to the right of the ‘D’. LOUIS PRICE strikes the ball past the defensive wall and into the near corner, with keeper Searle unable to deal with the power of the shot. An equaliser that looked increasingly likely as the visitors gained in confidence.
45+2 minutes: The half-time whistle blows as Mousehole survive a late onslaught. They have recovered well after a wobbly start. Helston look frustrated as they leave the pitch.
The second half:
57 minutes: Sending off! Mousehole lose possession in their own half, Jamie Devine goes in to retrieve the ball from Helston’s Matty Bye, but the tackle is high and late. Bye is injured, Helston players are incensed and Referee Shaun Edge immediately produces the red card. The Seagulls are down to ten for over half an hour – an uphill battle and a test of resolve.
61 minutes: Mousehole substitute – Louis Price is replaced by Jacob Cleverly up front. Aaron Dilley has dropped back into right-side defence with Billy Curtis moving centrally alongside Silas Sullivan. It’s still a positive attacking formation.
64 minutes: 17-year old Jack Symons sprints past keeper Searle to the right of goal but is then crowded out by covering defenders
75 minutes: Helston are understandably having a lot of possession, but Mousehole’s ten men look fit and well organised. Substitute Stuart Bowker floats a left-sided cross to the far post where Matt Wright heads down into the side netting
78 minutes: Mousehole substitute – Aaron Dilley is injured after a late tackle and is replaced at right back by the versatile Jonny Ludlam.
80 minutes: Mousehole substitute – Jared Sims is replaced by 18-year old Logan Trevains
85 minutes: Five minutes of normal time to go. If the score stays the same, there’s no 30’ extra time or a replay – it’s straight to a penalty shoot-out. That would be a remarkable achievement for this Mousehole side!
86 minutes: Helston pile on the pressure – a danger-laden low cross comes in from the right but it’s safely handled by Piran Jones
90+4 minutes: Young Jack Symons is causing the Helston defence a lot of concern with his speed and agility. He brings the ball in from the left and tries a 25-yard shot, comfortably gathered by Mike Searle.
90+5 minutes: Pure drama right at the end! Helston have a free kick 30 yards out, left of centre. The big defenders are up looking for a floated ball into the box. It’s played forward on the ground to Stuart Bowker wide of the wall, he turns and drives a fierce left-footer from 8 yards that looks as though it’s going inside the near post …..until Piran Jones gets there heroically to beat it out
90+6 minutes: That’s the final whistle, it’s 1-1 and goes to penalties. An immense Mousehole performance against one of the strongest teams in the Western League – and very much against the odds with a player short for the last 40 minutes or so.
The penalty shoot out – Helston go first:
Stuart Bowker scores: 1-0Billy Curtis for Mousehole: Searle savesSteve Colwell scores: 2-0Kyle Fraser for Mousehole – scores: 2-1Craig Veal scores: 3-1Logan Trevains for Mousehole: Searle savesTyler Elliot to win it for Helston – scores: 4-1
Helston Athletic go through to the second round of the Les Phillips Cup, with an away tie at Tavistock
What this result means for Mousehole:
Tonight’s squad deserved the chance to challenge themselves at a higher level – they also deserved to take a full-strength Helston side all the way to penalties, with the performance showcasing the overall benefits of the coaching philosophy at the club.
Mousehole team sheet (with used substitutes):
Piran Jones (GK), Billy Curtis (C), Silas Sullivan, Jamie Devine, Kyle Fraser, Aaron Dilley (Jonny Ludlam), Jared Sims (LoganTrevains), Charlie Willis, Louis Price (Jacob Cleverly), Samim Azimi, Jack SymonsOther substitutes: Ethan Elwell (GK), Ryan Townson
Match officials:
Sean Edge (Referee), with George Pattison & Neil Rudkin (Assistants)
Attendance: 259
Next fixtures for Mousehole:
This Saturday, 26th February, Away at Brislington (Bristol, BS4 5RS), Western League Premier, kick off 3pm
Saturday 5th March, Home v Ilfracombe Town, WLP, 3pm
Saturday 12th March, Home v Bridport, WLP, 3pm
