KJM SPORT REPORT Saltash Utd 1 Mousehole AFC 3
- Details
- Created on Thursday, 07 October 2021 22:04
- Last Updated on Friday, 08 October 2021 10:17
- Published on Thursday, 07 October 2021 22:04
- Written by KEVIN MARRIOTT at Kimberley
The Ashes, buoyant after a superb 2-1 cup win at Trungle Park, went into the game at a drizzly Kimberley defending a six-match unbeaten run.
Although they started brightly, and had a good spell for 15 minutes immediately after half-time, Dane Bunney’s side played second fiddle for most of the game.
Two goals from right wing back Josh Magin gave Mousehole a 2-0 advantage at the break and while Alex Cairo reduced the arrears to spark hopes of an Ashes’ fightback, visiting sub Jack Calver’s 77th minute strike settled the issue.
On another night Saltash, with Ryan Richards back in their ranks on dual registration with Torpoint, might have scored three or four but at the other end, goalkeeper Ryan Rickard literally saved them from a heavier defeat with several heroic reflex interventions.
In an end-to-end start, Mark Goldsworthy could have done better with a half chance while Richards burst onto the scene with a volley which went just wide.
The deadlock was broken in the 19th minute when Paulo Sousa, using his pace along the left, provided a perfect cross to the far post and Magin arrived to finish off from six yards.
Saltash were desperately close to equalising 10 minutes later when Richards sent in a piledriver of a shot from 20 yards which struck the post and bounced out to Dave Barker, but he was closed down quickly and the chance was gone.
It proved a pivotal moment because two minutes later Mousehole doubled their lead.
Sousa again sped down the left and his cross from the byline was converted by Magin, this time with a downward header away from Rickard.
Goldsworthy thought he had made it 3-0 in the 44th minute with a shot from close range but Rickard reacted brilliantly to somehow keep the ball out.
Despite being 2-0 down, the Ashes were applauded off at the break by their supporters in an impressive crowd of 192, and they rewarded them by reducing the deficit four minutes into the second half through Cairo.
For the first time in the match, Mousehole were looking anxious at the back as Saltash poured forward in search of an equaliser, which almost came for Danny Lewis, who just couldn’t stretch to finish at the far post.
Richards continued to be a nuisance around the penalty area but for once it wasn’t his night in front of the net.
As the half went on, Mousehole regained their composure and after a period of dominance, it was no surprise when Calver drilled in a low shot to make it 3-1 after 77 minutes.
Because of a slow start and a Covid outbreak, Jake Ash’s Seagulls are between two and four games behind most of the top six but they are showing all the signs that they will be among them soon.
For the Ashes, it’s a case of putting this result behind them quickly as they host second placed Bitton at Kimberley on Saturday, when Mousehole visit mid-table rivals Bridgwater United.
Saltash R Rickard, D Barker, A Wotton (C Martindale 64), C Menhenick, C Elkington, H Wilson, A Cairo (R Brown 80), S Farrant, S Hughes, R Richards, D Lewis (T Harris 85).
Subs not used: C O’Brien, D Perryman.
Goal: A Cairo 49
Yellow cards: A Cairo 40 S Hughes 66
Mousehole C Harvey, B Curtis, J Devine, A Elcock, S Burt, M Hill, H Turner, J Magin, M Goldsworthy (K Fraser 84), P Sousa, C Leak-Blunt (J Calver 62).
Subs not used: J Symons, J Grange, S Sullivan.
Goals: J Magin 19 & 36 J Calver 77
Yellow cards: M Hill 76 J Calver 79
Referee Richard Buiter
Attendance 192
SWSN Stars Saltash – Ryan Rickard Mousehole – Paulo Sousa
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