Mousehole played out a competitive and intense 3-3 draw away to Shepton Mallet on Saturday afternoon, in what was a frantic and intense second half, with a blockbuster ending, writes Pablo Woolls-Blanco.
On a day where the visitors knew victory would send them top of the Western League for the first time in their history, Jake Ash’s team went behind twice before finally turning the game around in the dying moments, only to be pegged back with the last kick of the game. A thriller and all-time Western League classic.
Home side Shepton Mallet had the better of the opening exchanges, with Ollie Chenoweth forced into a smart early save. Defender Max Hill also cleared an effort off the line with just 15 minutes on the clock. It was the visitors who came inches away from taking the lead in the 30th minute however, when Mark Goldsworthy’s header hit the post after some superb work by Jack Calver down the left-hand side.
Before the half was up, both sides came close within inches of taking the lead, but after a competitive, intense and action packed 45 minutes of football, it was goalless at half-time.
Already on the day, Mousehole had shown signs of struggling to deal with Shepton Mallet’s set pieces, and in the 53rd minute, it was through a corner that the home side took the lead, with Danny Constable poking in at the back post.
Mousehole began to pin Shepton in their own half after going a goal down, and in the 69th minute picked up the equaliser they were looking for, when Goldsworthy pounced onto the rebound of a freekick fired in by Calver.
Just four minutes later, the home side took the lead again through another set piece, as Matt Wood’s knock down found Josh Jenkins who fired in superbly to restore Shepton’s advantage.
Three minutes later, Mousehole were level again, after Hayden Turner’s teasing delivery was toppled in at the back post by Reece Thomson, netting his third goal in five games.
After coming from behind twice, the ascendency was now with Ash’s team, and the Seagulls looked as though they were on course for a historic comeback when Calver was brought down in the penalty area as the game entered stoppage time. From the subsequent spot kick, Turner fired the ball into the bottom right corner, leading to huge celebrations from the Mousehole bench. Mousehole looked set for an incredible three points.
Deep into stoppage time, Shepton were awarded yet another free-kick, and after a few blocked attempts and attempted clearances in the area, the ball was eventually worked out wide where a low delivery met the head of Andy Martin in the six-yard box, who’s close range header made it 3-3 and wrapped up an unbelievable ending.
After one of the most dramatic 45 minutes of the season, Mousehole’s 13-game winning streak was brought to an end, although Ash’s team remain in a very strong position after such an incredible run and will look to return to winning ways away to Wellington next Saturday.
[Featured image: Pablo Woolls-Blanco]