SUPER STRIKE PUTS SEAGULLS INTO ANOTHER CUP FINAL

LISKEARD ATHLETIC 0-1 MOUSEHOLE

CORNWALL ‘DURNING LAWRENCE’ CHARITY CUP SEMI-FINAL

WEDNESDAY 16TH MAY 2018

AT MOUNT WISE, NEWQUAY AFC

 Mousehole marched into the Final of the Cornwall FA ‘Durning Lawrence’ Charity Cup with a late but spectacular goal to break Athletic’s stubborn rearguard resistance.

The Seagulls were playing their third semi-final in a remarkable run of success in this season’s three Cup competitions, and after the earlier 2-0 defeat in the semi-final of the League Cup by Premier Division runners-up Tavistock, and the gallant 3-2 loss on Sunday to higher-division Saltash United in a first-ever Senior Cup Final appearance, they will fancy their chances of picking up some well-earned silverware against Wadebridge Town in next week’s Charity Cup Final.

Liskeard had finished their League season fifth in the table, one place and two points behind Mousehole, so a close contest was expected.  However, the narrow scoreline was mainly due to an eye-catching display by ‘keeper Chris Hoare whose defiant shot-stopping stood between Mousehole and the much bigger goal margin their overall team performance deserved.

In the early stages of the first half Liskeard looked lively with fast breaks from midfield, and Steve Parker-Billinge was forced into a close range save from Tom Cleveland as the striker burst through on the left on 8 minutes.  Mousehole gradually started to impose themselves, with Hoare foiling shots by Jake Andrew, Josh Otto and Calum Elliot twice from 30-yards, as well as tipping over a Jake Andrew header just before half time, to earn his side a 0-0 reprieve at the interval.

Mousehole continued on the offensive in the second half, with Liskeard content to fall back and rely on the speed of James Lorenz to chase swiftly delivered long balls.  However, the 36-goal marksman was superbly marshalled by The Seagulls’ back line, aided by Steve Parker-Billinge’s alert anticipation.

Hoare somehow put various parts of his body in the way of goal-bound shots by Josh Otto, Tyler Tonkin and substitute Luke Johnson, while his fellow defenders increasingly resorted to desperate measures, picking up a series of yellow cards.  Liam Andrew also went into the book with ten minutes to go after a clash of heads with Adam King as he keenly contested an inviting corner, the incident requiring prolonged on-pitch attention to his opponent.

And a few minutes later, on 86 minutes, Mousehole’s persistence paid off with a goal of supreme quality.  After a clever piece of triangular interplay had created a few millimetres of space on the right-hand edge of the penalty box , William Vouama suddenly swivelled inside on to his left foot and released a fierce drive that was still rising into the far top corner as it sped past the helpless ‘keeper.

Mousehole safely played out the remainder of the game, including five minutes of added time, and even came close to doubling the score when Hoare yet again came to his side’s rescue, tipping over a typical strong shot from Luke Johnson.

So The Seagulls progress to their second Charity Cup Final in three years and will be looking to repeat the memorable events of two years ago when a 5-0 thumping victory over St Dennis at Bodmin Town clinched a historic Cup and League double.  This time round, the other finalists are mid-table finishers Wadebridge Town, 3-2 semi-final winners over St Blazey.

The Final is confirmed for Friday 25th May at Penryn FC.  Kick Off 7.30pm.

This season’s Charity Cup is in aid of the Invictus Trust, a relatively new Cornwall-based charity set up to provide for local adolescents needing mental health support.

 Mousehole: Steve Parker-Billinge, Tyler Tonkin, Liam Andrew, Calum Elliot, Billy Curtis (captain), Kevin Lawrence, Jamie Thomson, William Vouama, Paulo Sousa, Josh Otto, Jake Andrew.  Substitutes:  Luke Johnson (for Paulo Sousa, 78), Connor Davey, Paul Williams, Louis Graham, Matt McIlroy.

Scorer:  William Vouama (86).

Officials:  Steve Annis (Referee), Adam Price & Stuart Kane (Assistant Referees), Andrew McKnight (4th Official)

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