A scintillating second-half show saw Mousehole recover from a goal down to defeat Buckland Athletic 5-1 and remain neck and neck with the top two in the Western League’s Premier Division, writes Ben Garland.
The Seagulls ultimately showed their professionalism and technical quality in the second 45, following a below part first-half showing which saw them trail at the break.
Buckland started the game on the front foot as Richard Groves’ low driven strike was denied by the post, before forcing two brilliant point-blank saves out of Mousehole shot-stopper Ollie Chenoweth.
The hosts continued to show their desire for an early goal and were soon rewarded for their persistence as Groves’ ball across the six-yard box met Ryan Bush who made no mistake and gave Buckland the lead within nine minutes.
The opening 30 minutes were frustratingly poor from the away side, who couldn’t play their usual fast-paced football as Buckland’s press and physical dominance proved its worth.
At the halfway point it was clear that Jake Ash’s side would need an inspired performance to take anything back to Cornwall and to continue their challenge for promotion.
With the second-half underway, it was immediately evident that Mousehole wouldn’t be giving in easily and it didn’t take long for them to find their feet.
Paulo Sousa’s tackle saw the ball fall kindly for Mark Goldsworthy who muscled his way through on goal, tucking away his effort and levelling the score five minutes in.
The Seagulls continued their pursuit for the three points and Hayden Turner, who had swapped wings in a tactical change, found space on the right flank and fired in a powerful cross which was met by Buckland defender Nick Milton and was enough to give Mousehole a second and the lead.
The travelling side were back into their usual attacking rhythm. A clever quickly taken throw-in sent Goldsworthy down the right. He passed to Turner inside the box whose well timed cross found Tallen Mitchell providing a fantastic finish into the top right corner of the goal.
The hosts began to feel the repercussions of their press in the first half and the Seagulls were in the mood for further goals. Turner continued to cause issues for Buckland’s backline and was bought down for a penalty that he converted in style.
Mousehole’s emphatic second-half was not over just yet, as substitute Jared Sims’ clever control forced some space on the left, allowing him to hit a strike hard and low that beat the ‘keeper and completed the travelling side’s 5-1 victory.