Match Information
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Mousehole 2-2 Willand Rovers
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When: Saturday 17th August 2024
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: Trungle Parc, Paul, Penzance, Cornwall TR19 6AZ
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Competition: The Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round
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Attendance: 190
A terrific Holy Grail style groundhop for me visiting the most westerly football club in our National League System. Pronounced “Mow-zel” and nicknamed ‘The Seagulls’, they represent a tiny Cornish fishing village housing a population of 554 based just 9.5 miles off Land’s End.
I first became aware of Mousehole AFC back in August 1987 when – as members of the lowly Cornwall Combination league - they hosted Manchester United in a pre-season friendly before a reported crowd of 5,000 attracting widespread publicity.
I would’ve gone to that game but I only heard about it afterwards! More recently, the last three years have seen Mousehole climb rapidly up two tiers from the South West Peninsula League to Step 4 in the Southern League Division One South thereby defying all football odds.
This mammoth 670 mile round trip for me entailed intensive planning. Therefore I decided to spend a week in Cornwall taking in a couple of other local matches too.
Ahead of kick-off, I enjoyed a quick look at the picturesque Mousehole Harbour. However, the adjoining car park was so narrow that it took me fully 15 minutes to reverse backwards out on to the approach road without scratching my vehicle or ending up in the deep sea water!
Unfortunately, my frantic steering wheel endeavours greatly amused numerous gawping day-trippers.
Ground Description
Accessed via a country lane which leads to specious car parking provision. An adjacent camping site is owned by the football club delivering their main source of income. A total of 35 camping pitches are offered at £30 to £35 per night throughout the summer tourist season.
Inside the stadium, Mousehole’s original grandstand sits on the halfway line. There is a “media platform” at the top and covered standing alongside. A newer prefab seated stand has been installed on the opposite side of the playing surface.
Then sheltered standing behind one goal forms the ‘Solomon Browne Stand’. It is named after an ill-fated lifeboat in the nearby Penlee disaster where 16 people tragically lost their lives during December 1981.
Many of those who died lived in Mousehole.
Programme Details
A superb 32 page colour production priced at £3 and appropriately entitled ‘SEAGULLS WAY OUT WEST’.
Lots of interesting reading incorporating columns by the chairman and manager, club news, a player interview, match report, past FA Cup record, club history, Willand Rovers details, an update on the Mousehole Women’s team, Southern League table, fixtures & results, personal FA Cup memories from club members and a whimsical contribution penned by ‘Kit Man Dan’.
The Match
I liked a rousing public address broadcast half an hour prior to the game firmly stating: “FA Cup fever is sweeping Trungle Parc so soak up the atmosphere!”
Indeed, an exciting affair subsequently unfolded for anyone betting on the outcome between two sides holding Southern League Division One South membership.
Having travelled 131 miles down from Mid Devon, Willand Rovers raced into a 2-0 advantage courtesy of two crisply struck penalties by River Allen (33, 51 minutes). Allen is quite a character and he relished some lively two-way banter with the home supporters after scoring.
Furthermore amidst a break in play due to an injury, Allen strolled over to the touchline and asked spectators – including myself – what we thought of the action. You wouldn’t get that happening in the later FA Cup rounds!
Anyway, Mousehole valiantly recovered to level matters through Mark Goldsworthy (58 mins) and Hayden Turner (66 mins) prompting loud goal music and enthusiastic announcements over the tannoy from Mousehole vice-chairman Simon Taylor.
In the end though, Willand Rovers held on for a draw despite suffering two red cards.
The People
I spent much of the afternoon chatting to Mousehole’s content manager Kevin Bishop. A fellow Queens Park Rangers supporter, he has returned to Cornwall following multiple years away working in BBC News and Sport production.
Accordingly, Kevin adds a true professional impact on the club’s media output.
In addition, Mousehole chairman Billy Jacka came over to shake my hand as part of a matchday stroll around Trungle Parc with his dog welcoming each spectator individually. A nice touch at a really friendly club.
I was also surprised to discover several other Cornwall-based QPR fans were present at the game and they all approached me for a natter on Loftus Road affairs!
Footnote: Willand Rovers won the replay 1-0.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
