RESULTS - Saturday 22 April 2023

[Dave Deacon]

Ashton & Backwell United   0-1       Street

Bridgwater United   2-0      Buckland Athletic

Cadbury Heath   1-5             Millbrook

Clevedon Town   0-1            Barnstaple Town

Falmouth Town   3-0            Sherborne Town

Keynsham Town   1-3          Helston Athletic

Mousehole         3-0              Wellington

Saltash United   4-0              Shepton Mallet

Torpoint Athletic   1-1         Ilfracombe Town

[Dave Deacon]

Good luck today to both Mousehole and Saltash.

[kevin richards]

Good luck to all at Mousehole Fc today. 👏🏻🏆👏🏻🏆👏🏻🏆

[Gary Hocking]

36 minutes ago, Dave Deacon said:

Good luck today to both Mousehole and Saltash.

Seconded. And whichever team gets promoted today here’s hoping that the other gets promoted next Saturday. 

[Devils@Dusk]

Ashton & Backwell United 0 - 1 Street
Bridgewater United 2 - 0 Buckland Athletic
Cadbury Heath 1 - 5 Millbrook
Clevedon Town 0 - 1 Barnstaple Town
Falmouth Town 3 - 0 Sherborne Town
Keynsham Town 1 - 3 Helston Athletic
Mousehole 3 - 0 Welington
Saltash United 4 - 0 Shepton Mallet
Torpoint Athletic 1 - 1 Ilfracombe Town

 

Congratulations, Mousehole 🥳

[The Town Man]

Falmouth Town 3. Sherborne Town 0.

Falmouth turned their fortunes around with interest yesterday, defeating Sherborne with ease having lost to the same opponents last weekend in the away fixture.

As has sometimes been the case this season, Town were able to put out a more experienced starting line-up playing at home and it really showed.

James Ward opened the scoring unsurprisingly from a Town corner, arriving at the far post to nod the ball in.  As the rain continued to fall, surface water accumulated in the central areas and the ball started holding up in the puddles. However, both teams continued to play some good football.  Falmouth missed a couple of chances at the near post after great work from Ryan's Downing wide on the left. Apologies to Wadebridge but he would look great in the black and amber next year!  Masses of composure on the ball, quick, and seems to go past people with ease. A really good prospect.

The half finished at 1-0 and Falmouth started the 2nd half in the same vein, dominating the play. In the end it became farcical as chance after chance was missed and Falmouth could easily have finished in double figures!  No criticism though as conditions were atrocious. The 2nd goal came courtesy of top-scorer Tim Nixon who tapped in after a mazey run from Downing, who picked the ball up on the touch-line just inside the Sherborne half, beat 3 or 4 players and unleashed a shot low and hard that the keeper could only parry in to the path of Nixon.

The 3rd goal was scored by substitute Louis Jagger-Caine, who normally turns out for Sidmouth Town, after he latched on to a ball over the top, had his shot saved and then worked another opportunity from the rebound, slotting one in bottom right of the goal.

All Falmouth players performed well but special mention for Can Hutchison who looked assured in the #8 role yesterday. Great on the ball, picked out simple passes and can beat a man with ease when needed. More game-time lately has really benefitted him. Yet another young talent being nurtured at Falmouth along with James Swan at right-hand and Kaiden Gordon-Dunn at centre-back. Well done to Westy for giving these boys a chance at this level.

All in all, a satisfying performance from Falmouth and a few key signings will see them competing further up the table next season. Exciting times ahead.

UP THE TOWN!!!

[John Thomas Allcock]

Only 285 at Falmouth yesterday, compared to a whopping 648 at Trungle Parc to witness the mighty Mousehole crowned champions 🏆🏆🏆💚💚💚

[The Town Man]

27 minutes ago, Drumming Nutter said:

Only 285 at Falmouth yesterday, compared to a whopping 648 at Trungle Parc to witness the mighty Mousehole crowned champions 🏆🏆🏆💚💚💚

Great turn-out for Mousehole yesterday and congratulations on winning the title. A massive achievement for your club.

(Probably best not to gloat about attendances though until your average crowds are anywhere near Falmouth's.......)

[John Thomas Allcock]

14 minutes ago, The Town Man said:

Great turn-out for Mousehole yesterday and congratulations on winning the title. A massive achievement for your club.

(Probably best not to gloat about attendances though until your average crowds are anywhere near Falmouth's.......)

Believe me it was very tongue in cheek .... But average attendance at Trungle ended up in the region of 250 per game, which ain't bad for a tiny fishing village 💚👍 

[Ian Pethick]

Sounds like it is not clear who Saltash will be up against in their promotion/relegation play off and when, but would assume it will be Bideford (no idea if it is other two legs, or who gets home advantage).

[Philheybrookbay]

12 minutes ago, Way Of The Park said:

Sounds like it is not clear who Saltash will be up against in their promotion/relegation play off and when, but would assume it will be Bideford (no idea if it is other two legs, or who gets home advantage).

All I know is… it’s away - all step 5 runners up are away. One off game, no medals no trophy. 😅

Awaiting the email to drop from FA. 

[Ian Pethick]

20 minutes ago, Philheybrookbay said:

All I know is… it’s away - all step 5 runners up are away. One off game, no medals no trophy. 😅

Awaiting the email to drop from FA. 

Cheers Phil.

Well done to the FA (again). Surely, dates should have been set for these games as part of the season's fixture list?  Would think that clubs would want to get these games played quickly, in the week after the regular season ends would be ideal (as per the promotion play offs).

Doesn't suit anybody for it to drag on.

[SomersetObserver]

45 minutes ago, Way Of The Park said:

Sounds like it is not clear who Saltash will be up against in their promotion/relegation play off and when, but would assume it will be Bideford (no idea if it is other two legs, or who gets home advantage).

It would be the most sensible thing but this is the FA we are talking about. Last season Cinderford of the Southern League played Skelmersdale of the North West Counties League in a promotion/relegation play off match.

[Philheybrookbay]

37 minutes ago, SomersetObserver said:

It would be the most sensible thing but this is the FA we are talking about. Last season Cinderford of the Southern League played Skelmersdale of the North West Counties League in a promotion/relegation play off match.

They’ll send us to Orkney FC if they could. 😅

[Ian Pethick]

8 minutes ago, Philheybrookbay said:

They’ll send us to Orkney FC if they could. 😅

Just north of Bude I think...😁

[Footy follower]

4 hours ago, The Town Man said:

Great turn-out for Mousehole yesterday and congratulations on winning the title. A massive achievement for your club.

(Probably best not to gloat about attendances though until your average crowds are anywhere near Falmouth's.......)

I thinks it's because Jeff's gone missing since you stopped winning every week 🤣

Well done to you and your club on a decent 1st season at Western league level

[The Torpoint Massive]

Torpoint Athletic 1-1 Ilfracombe Town

Toolstation Western League, Premier Division

With Robbie Morris at The Mill

 

In torrential rain on Saturday afternoon at The Mill, Torpoint Athletic made it eight games undefeated as they shared the spoils with Ilfarcombe Town with the visitors leaving it very late to gain a point.

On the seventh minute the visitors had the first chance of the match when Jed Harper-Penman saw his curling effort from the edge of the area put around the post with a superb diving save from home keeper Jason Peters.

A minute later Harry Taffs for the visitors blasted his effort from 18 yards which was stopped by another fine save from Peters as Ilfracombe were putting pressure on their hosts.

On the tenth minute the home side took the lead when Gary Hird broke free of the Ilfracombe defence to cut into the area and blasted home from ten yards past visiting keeper Lawrence McCormick.

On the quarter hour mark Taffs again for Ilfracombe shot from 10 yards but Peters was hand to push the ball away.

On the half hour mark the hosts had a chance to double their lead when good build up play by Torpoint’s midfield found Callum Thompson to break in to the area, to see his effort go just wide of the post from 18 yards.   

With three minutes remaining of the first half the visitors were searching for an equaliser. Tyler Evans-Loude scuffed his shot in the area for the ball to falls to Ed Jenkins who fires his effort from the edge of the area which well save by Jason Peters.

A minute after the break, Joe Barker for the Ilfracombe breaks clear of the Torpoint defence to see his effort go just wide of the post.

On the 51st minute Callum Thompson lays the ball onto Gary Hird who crosses the ball to Curtis Damerell who’s cheeky back heel from ten yards was just caught low by visiting keeper McCormick.

Just before the hour mark Jed Harper-Penman for the visitors sees his 25 yard looping shot just go inches over the cross bar.

On the 76th minute Curtis Damerell squares the ball across to Ryan Richards who has a one on one with the visiting keeper who blocks the ball.

Two minutes later, the hosts were still pushing to double their advantage when Gary Hird ran down the left wing to cross the ball to Callum Thompson to see his effort go wide from 12 yards.

With four minutes remaining, Gary Hird crosses the ball to Damerell, his effort hits the inside of the post from 12 yards, the visiting keeper just grabs the ball as was going towards the goal line in a good save.

On the 88th minute Ilfracombe levelled the scores when good build up play by their midfield found Charlie Prentice to fire home from 12 yards past keeper Jason Peters.

 

Torpoint Athletic: J. Peters, P. Heveran,  J. Forrest, J. Smith, S. Hillson, C. Holder, C. Thompson, L. Pacey, C. Damerell, R. Richards, G. Hird.

Subs not Used: J. Heveran, D. Hicks, O. Haslam, J. Robertson, R. Brown.

Bookings:  None

Torpoint Scorer:  G. Hird 10.

Ilfracombe Town: L. McCormick, E. Jenkins, S. Wright, H. Richards, H. Taffs, T. Johnson, B. Museelwhite, C. Prentice, J. Barker (L. Rigler 71), J. Harper-Penman, T. Evans-Loude.

Subs not used:  J. Thorpe, J. Jenkins, C. Bennellick.

Bookings:  T. Johnson 12, H. Taffs 65.

Ilfracombe Scorer:   C. Prentice 88.

 

Referee:  Paul Redding

Att: 132

MOM:  Jason Peters (Torpoint Athletic)

 

[Gary Hocking]

3 hours ago, Way Of The Park said:

Cheers Phil.

Well done to the FA (again). Surely, dates should have been set for these games as part of the season's fixture list?  Would think that clubs would want to get these games played quickly, in the week after the regular season ends would be ideal (as per the promotion play offs).

Doesn't suit anybody for it to drag on.

The dates are sort of set. Unless both teams agree otherwise the games will be played on Saturday 29th, but if both teams agree otherwise then the match can be played on Sunday 30th or Monday 1st. 

Much more shambolic is that Saltash and the other playoff teams won’t learn who their opponents are until possibly Wednesday. How are the away teams (ie the Step 5 teams) supposed to organise travel etc when they don’t know whether they’re travelling 10s of miles or perhaps 100s?

Those making these decisions are utterly clueless about the challenges of running a football club in the lower half of the NLS. 

[baldy]

I’m sure the SWPL were told that all games involving promotion and relegation had to be played by a certain date.

One would hope that the same applies to all NLS leagues giving a week’s notice of play off games.

Otherwise very unfair on the travelling team.

Will watch with interest.

[quiksilver]

1 hour ago, baldy said:

I’m sure the SWPL were told that all games involving promotion and relegation had to be played by a certain date.

One would hope that the same applies to all NLS leagues giving a week’s notice of play off games.

Otherwise very unfair on the travelling team.

Will watch with interest.

The dates are confirmed as you said 29th April. Difficulty is the FA don’t announce who is playing who until Wednesday…..utter madness, trying to arrange teams/fans coach travel a few days before the fixture, good ole FA 

[Dave Deacon]

Mousehole 3 (Elcock, McOnie, Turner)

Wellington 0

Well what was forecast as showers proved a lot worse on the day! On arrival at the ground, the heavy rain persuaded me to stay in the car for 20 minutes or so. That was in the cricket car park, which didn’t take long to fill!

Attendance proved to be a very impressive 649 (I think) and almost everyone attending  I would imagine waiting to see Mousehole clinch the title.

The pitch held up very well to the downpour although in places there was standing water! My main issue was trying to eat the customary pasty I buy when arriving at Trungle whilst holding my brolly and having a chat with Jake Ash’s dad who was sharing my shelter for a while pre-match!

Things became interesting for a while with Saltash storming away to a 2 goal lead in their game, however once Mousehole scored that was it really. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Wellington, but their league table suggests otherwise. Could part of their problem be that they don’t shoot? Many a time they got in a position to do so and tried one more pass. It certainly made their defenders frustrated.

That vital first goal came courtesy of an Andy Elcock deflected shot which beat the keeper, who I was told was a stand-in option. For the second goal, even one of the best in the league wouldn’t have stopped it! It was a screamer across the target from Callum McOnie.

Two up and with no real problems which continued in the second half. The goal which seemed to be most celebrated by the players and bench was their third which came from top scorer Hayden Turner. Even goally Ollie Chenoweth ran the length of the pitch to  join in the celebrations.

Overall a well controlled match by Mousehole with the win ensuring whatever Saltash did, it wasn’t going to be good enough.

Congratulations to all at the club – management, players, committee and match day helpers. Things always seem to run pretty smoothly down there.

Two questions to finish with – I wonder where Jake Ash actually finished up for the night. He suggested to BBC Radio Cornwall it was going to be a long night of celebrating. And the second question – when is the new entrance to the ground coming? 😀

[motherwontletmegoargyle]

Still games to play in other leagues involving teams in with a chance of finishing top or in a playoff place?

[Emily91]

29 minutes ago, Dave Deacon said:

Even goally Ollie Chenoweth ran the length of the pitch to  join in the celebrations.

I think he's always wanted to celebrate with a huge slide in like that as if he's scored a goal or something.. been saving it for the right time 😂

We've been hoping that a video might pop up of it but yet to see anything surface!! 

[Dave Deacon]

15 minutes ago, Emily91 said:

I think he's always wanted to celebrate with a huge slide in like that as if he's scored a goal or something.. been saving it for the right time 😂

We've been hoping that a video might pop up of it but yet to see anything surface!! 

It’s a still but it proves he got there to join in 😀👍

[baldy]

1 hour ago, quiksilver said:

The dates are confirmed as you said 29th April. Difficulty is the FA don’t announce who is playing who until Wednesday…..utter madness, trying to arrange teams/fans coach travel a few days before the fixture, good ole FA 

Whatever the criteria, it shouldn’t take 4 days to work out 8? Playoff matches at Step 4/5. The allocation of clubs to leagues comes later.

[SomersetObserver]

58 minutes ago, Dave Deacon said:

That vital first goal came courtesy of an Andy Elcock deflected shot which beat the keeper, who I was told was a stand-in option.

He was indeed, he normally plays outfield. I was a bit surprised to see that Wellington put him in goal as to my mind at least he is one of their best players.

[Emily91]

24 minutes ago, Dave Deacon said:

It’s a still but it proves he got there to join in 😀👍

Thankyou Dave 👌 

[Gary Hocking]

2 hours ago, Dave Deacon said:

I wonder where Jake Ash actually finished up for the night. He suggested to BBC Radio Cornwall it was going to be a long night of celebrating.😀

What happens in The Ship Inn in Mousehole at closing time stays in The Ship Inn 😉
 

[Dave Deacon]

7 minutes ago, GaryHocking said:

What happens in The Ship Inn in Mousehole at closing time stays in The Ship Inn 😉
 

Certainly better than his first thought of camping in the centre circle on the pitch!

[Gary Hocking]

2 minutes ago, Dave Deacon said:

Certainly better than his first thought of camping in the centre circle on the pitch!

I can confirm that that did not happen ⛺️ 

[le boss]

14 hours ago, The Town Man said:

Falmouth Town 3. Sherborne Town 0.

Falmouth turned their fortunes around with interest yesterday, defeating Sherborne with ease having lost to the same opponents last weekend in the away fixture.

As has sometimes been the case this season, Town were able to put out a more experienced starting line-up playing at home and it really showed.

James Ward opened the scoring unsurprisingly from a Town corner, arriving at the far post to nod the ball in.  As the rain continued to fall, surface water accumulated in the central areas and the ball started holding up in the puddles. However, both teams continued to play some good football.  Falmouth missed a couple of chances at the near post after great work from Ryan's Downing wide on the left. Apologies to Wadebridge but he would look great in the black and amber next year!  Masses of composure on the ball, quick, and seems to go past people with ease. A really good prospect.

The half finished at 1-0 and Falmouth started the 2nd half in the same vein, dominating the play. In the end it became farcical as chance after chance was missed and Falmouth could easily have finished in double figures!  No criticism though as conditions were atrocious. The 2nd goal came courtesy of top-scorer Tim Nixon who tapped in after a mazey run from Downing, who picked the ball up on the touch-line just inside the Sherborne half, beat 3 or 4 players and unleashed a shot low and hard that the keeper could only parry in to the path of Nixon.

The 3rd goal was scored by substitute Louis Jagger-Caine, who normally turns out for Sidmouth Town, after he latched on to a ball over the top, had his shot saved and then worked another opportunity from the rebound, slotting one in bottom right of the goal.

All Falmouth players performed well but special mention for Can Hutchison who looked assured in the #8 role yesterday. Great on the ball, picked out simple passes and can beat a man with ease when needed. More game-time lately has really benefitted him. Yet another young talent being nurtured at Falmouth along with James Swan at right-hand and Kaiden Gordon-Dunn at centre-back. Well done to Westy for giving these boys a chance at this level.

All in all, a satisfying performance from Falmouth and a few key signings will see them competing further up the table next season. Exciting times ahead.

UP THE TOWN!!!

Is Sidmouth the name of the housing estate opposite Bickland Park??🤣🤣🤣

[The Town Man]

1 hour ago, le boss said:

Is Sidmouth the name of the housing estate opposite Bickland Park??🤣🤣🤣

He must have taken a wrong turning off of that well-worn path from Devon to Helston!😁😁😁

[Philheybrookbay]

It appears that the Wessex League still has games to go at the top hence why the play offs haven’t been announced. 
 

They play Tuesday night. So Wednesday it will be…. 

[le boss]

9 hours ago, The Town Man said:

He must have taken a wrong turning off of that well-worn path from Devon to Helston!😁😁😁

What’s Helston got to do with it? They never claim to be a local side🤔🤔🤔

[sportsman10]

These play off relegation and promotion games all seem completely ridiculous and pointless

just promote more then one or have a play off  between the 2nd and 3rd team in the same league and do so  for relegation   .

so at least you know where you are and who your playing and makes it bit more exciting.  
sure no one from Saltash wants travel miles up country to play a 1 off fixture against a team that should been relegated for being poor but now get a game at home stacked in their favour to keep them up. 
 

[Gary Hocking]

57 minutes ago, sportsman10 said:

These play off relegation and promotion games all seem completely ridiculous and pointless

just promote more then one or have a play off  between the 2nd and 3rd team in the same league and do so  for relegation   .

so at least you know where you are and who your playing and makes it bit more exciting.  
sure no one from Saltash wants travel miles up country to play a 1 off fixture against a team that should been relegated for being poor but now get a game at home stacked in their favour to keep them up. 
 

This is the last season with this model. After this season there will be Step 5 promotion playoffs featuring only teams within the division (with the team finishing top getting automatic promotion and the teams below playing each other in a playoff). Relegation from Step 4 will be automatic for the teams at the bottom with no playoffs. 

[motherwontletmegoargyle]

Is tonight's rearranged, abandoned a few weeks ago, Ansty Nomads v Quorn, the last ingredient for the playoffs pot. 2nd place at steak for Quorn. Will they fillet or will Champions Ansty make mince meat out of them?

[Footy follower]

1 hour ago, motherwontletmegoargyle said:

Is tonight's rearranged, abandoned a few weeks ago, Ansty Nomads v Quorn, the last ingredient for the playoffs pot. 2nd place at steak for Quorn. Will they fillet or will Champions Ansty make mince meat out of them?

Bit of a quorny joke mate 😏

[MWhite55]

Will the play off game be a Step 4 or Step 5 game? 

Could have a conundrum if Saltash where to draw Bideford in it as Tyler Yendle who’s banned from playing for Saltash was able to play for Bideford on the weekend. Could Saltash potentially miss out on promotion to a player who’s signed on to them. 

[Footy follower]

8 minutes ago, MWhite55 said:

Will the play off game be a Step 4 or Step 5 game? 

Could have a conundrum if Saltash where to draw Bideford in it as Tyler Yendle who’s banned from playing for Saltash was able to play for Bideford on the weekend. Could Saltash potentially miss out on promotion to a player who’s signed on to them. 

If he stops them going up then they probably don't deserve to go up

[Ian Pethick]

14 hours ago, MWhite55 said:

Will the play off game be a Step 4 or Step 5 game? 

Could have a conundrum if Saltash where to draw Bideford in it as Tyler Yendle who’s banned from playing for Saltash was able to play for Bideford on the weekend. Could Saltash potentially miss out on promotion to a player who’s signed on to them. 

Never understood the concept of "being suspended, but not suspended " concept in non league.

Players being banned at lower steps in the pyramid, and turning out for teams at higher levels (and vice versa) seems to have been happening for a few years now. A recent example was Truro City's Matt Wright being banned at step 3 level after being red carded, but then appearing for their step 7 St Piran's side. Does seem a bit farcical, and against the spirit (if not the laws) of the game.

[motherwontletmegoargyle]

Well you lot love a rumor, so how about this. Bideford getting reprieved so Saltash off to BMF on Saturday.

[baldy]

3 hours ago, motherwontletmegoargyle said:

Well you lot love a rumor, so how about this. Bideford getting reprieved so Saltash off to BMF on Saturday.

What does reprieved mean? They should have a play off against someone.

[Gary Hocking]

Bideford will be “reprieved” if, as rumoured, Lymington failed their ground grading. If that’s the case then the penalty for Lymington will be automatic relegation meaning three (rather than just two) teams will suffer  automatic relegation from Southern League Division One South. And in turn, that would mean that Bristol Manor Farm would be in the only remaining playoff position which would make a BMF vs Saltash United pairing in the playoffs pretty much a certainty. (TBC I’m not commenting on the accuracy or otherwise of the rumour - I’ve no idea.) 

[baldy]

OK but I would have thought Cinderford would then have a play off game because there is another team in the same position as Saltash somewhere. 

[Dave Deacon]

Thank goodness it's changing for next season!

[baldy]

1 hour ago, Dave Deacon said:

Thank goodness it's changing for next season!

Yes, promotion playoffs only. Great, let’s give the team finishing 5th (or 7th in some) the chance to get promoted. Adds interest to the latter part of the season, I suppose. Let’s hope Notts County get promoted!

[Gary Hocking]

7 hours ago, baldy said:

OK but I would have thought Cinderford would then have a play off game because there is another team in the same position as Saltash somewhere. 

The FA’s published rules plus the precedent they set last season suggests that Cinderford wouldn’t benefit if Lymington are punished for a ground-grading failure. Instead the beneficiary would be a second-placed Step 5 club that would be promoted automatically rather than via a playoff, with that club being “selected” based upon a national PPG table consisting of every Step 5 league. (Not to say that I think this is right - or even makes much sense - but it’s how the FA played it last season with then-Step 5 Exmouth being one of the clubs that escaped a playoff.) 

7 hours ago, Dave Deacon said:

Thank goodness it's changing for next season!

Couldn’t agree more. 

6 hours ago, baldy said:

Yes, promotion playoffs only. Great, let’s give the team finishing 5th (or 7th in some) the chance to get promoted. Adds interest to the latter part of the season, I suppose. Let’s hope Notts County get promoted!

Agreed.

[baldy]

Thanks for the clarification. That sounds much more like the FA!

[The Town Man]

With rumours of Bristol/Bath clubs stepping down or moving across to Hellenic league from Western Prem, is there a chance that an extra team or two might be promoted from the Peninsula league to make up the numbers?