Mousehole vs Liskeard September 2019

SEAGULLS’ FIVE-STAR SHOW KEEPS UP PRESSURE AT THE TOP

MOUSEHOLE 5-0 LISKEARD ATHLETIC

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, PREMIER DIVISION WEST

SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2019

AT TRUNGLE PARC

The two best teams in last season’s Division One West met at Trungle Parc as champions Liskeard Athletic visited runners-up Mousehole for their first encounter since promotion, with the two sides in fifth and sixth place in the Premier Division.

But this was far from the expected evenly-matched contest, as Mousehole dominated proceedings from start to finish, playing with higher tempo and more incisive forward passing than in last week’s home draw with Wadebridge Town.

Four different scorers within the first hour opened up a convincing lead to confirm The Seagulls’ superiority.  Kieron Toland had already had a close-range shot blocked on 4 minutes by visiting keeper Ollie Chenoweth – his first save on a very busy afternoon – and Amara Bakoyoko had driven in from the right to shave the crossbar with a left-footer from 15 yards shortly afterwards, when the two combined in the 14th minute as Toland tapped in Bakayoko’s low cross from the byeline after a series of quick passes outside the box.

Imani Matthews then had two golden chances, shooting wide of the near post in the 19th minute after a swift one-two, and blasting over from inside the six yard box after a weaving run from the left in the 33rd.  In between, Gerens James sent an instant low shot inside the far post to double the lead in the 33rd minute.  And the marksman nearly scored twice more before the interval, racing on to Toland’s driven cross but firing wide on 35 and then forcing Chenoweth into a fine diving save from 18 yards on 44.

Any hopes of a Liskeard comeback were ended by two goals in five minutes early in the second half.  The excellent Lez Cela, playing in a more advanced role than of late, created the third goal with a skilful run and cross for Bakayoko to touch home in the 52nd minute, and Imani Matthews made it 4-0 on 57 after a rare corner by the visitors was carefully cleared into space for the wingman to race 50 yards and drive past the exposed Chenoweth, who nevertheless got his hands to the fierce shot.

There was no let-up in The Seagulls’ forward momentum and Cela almost capped an impressive display with a shot hitting the post on 60, an angled effort deflected into the side netting on 62, and a dipping 25-yard free kick tipped over by Chenoweth.  The keeper was again called into action with a full-length save from Bakayoko’s 20-yarder on 69, but was indebted to his defence for hacking Cela’s shot off the line on 71.     

Liskeard’s goal expert James Lorenz – last season’s ‘golden boot’ winner with 50+ goals and currently dual-registered with Southern League Premier side Truro City at Step 3 – was then withdrawn injured, but such was Mousehole’s control of the match that he had had no opportunity to showcase his talents, with the home back-four mopping up any sign of danger and keeper Corey Harvey having his quietest match of the season as The Seagulls earned their second clean sheet of the current campaign.

In the last 15 minutes, Liskeard were in danger of being over-run, as James laid off a perfect pass for Cela to shoot just wide, substitute Rheiss McLean’s self-made chance found only the side netting, Cela’s glancing header from Billy Curtis’ cross flew wide, and a 15-yard drive by Bakayoko  cleared the bar after another short pass by James. 

But justice was finally done in the final few minutes when Gerens James slotted in for 5-0 after Chenoweth had done well to keep out at full stretch a goalbound shot from Cela.

Mousehole have now won five and drawn three of their opening eight fixtures at the higher level, and alongside Saltash United remain the only unbeaten team in the Division.  They will be aiming to consolidate their position among the top five with a visit to Newquay to face mid-table Godolphin Atlantic on Wednesday evening (7.30pm).  Godolphin are rebuilding their squad after a major exodus of long-serving players in the summer, and have so far won two, drawn two and lost four games, their last match resulting in a 4-0 home defeat to Porthleven on Saturday. 

Then follows on Saturday (14th) The Seagulls’ biggest game of the season when St Austell arrive as league leaders at Trungle Parc (3pm).  St Austell have won eight of their nine matches and sit six points ahead having played one game more, Mousehole’s midweek trip to Godolphin in effect being their game in hand.

Mousehole:  Corey Harvey, Billy Curtis (captain), Mark Richards, Ben Harding, Paulo Sousa, Steve Burt, Lez Cela, Kieron Toland, Amara Bakayoko, Gerens James, Imani Matthews

Substitutes: Ben Williams (for Steve Burt, 67),  Rheiss McLean (for Kieron Toland, 79), Scott Imade (for Ben Harding 85), Jamie Devine, Steve Ziboth

Scorers: Kieron Toland (14), Gerens James (30, 90), Amara Bakayoko (52), Imani Matthews (57)

Referee:  Mike Glanville       Attendance: 114

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