The following article was originally published in the printed programme for the Mousehole v Malvern match on 24th August 2024. To purchase back issues of Mousehole matchday programmes, visit our club shop.

It’s lunchtime on a Tuesday afternoon in August and Mousehole goalkeeper Ollie Chenoweth and I are sheltering from the rain in a bus stop just off the A30, behind the retail park at Fraddon. It’s the start of a now-familiar journey that won’t see Ollie rejoin his family in their holiday caravan near Mawgan Porth until twelve hours later. 

This is the glamour of the game for a non-league goalie – swapping beach time with his girls for standing between the posts, shouting at the ten men in front of him on the outskirts of Bristol on a drizzly Tuesday night. But Ollie loves it. 

“Yeah, it’s this football club. It’s the people that are involved, it’s the players, it’s the people off the pitch, the staff, and not just the playing staff, but, you know, people behind the scenes at the club. It’s a special place”

It’s now the fourth season in a row when the first thing manager Jake Ash puts on his team lineup is “Ollie in goal”. For a player who’s been in in and around the game now for almost twenty years, Mousehole offers something different.

“It’s like no other club that I’ve been at, and because of that it’s been such an enjoyable experience that which I wish I had come three or four years earlier, if the opportunity had been there – and particularly at a time when I I was ready to take a break from football. So, when that phone call came from Jake four years ago. Yeah, it came at a good time”.

The 32-year-old spent the bulk of his career at Plymouth Argyle, (who he joined as a youth player in 2005) and Truro City. He’s also had spells at Bideford, Frome, Liskeard, Launceston and Bodmin.  But it all began on the family farm near Dobwalls.

“My dad would build wooden goals that would gradually get bigger and bigger as we got older, to the point where we outgrew the garden. At that point I took over a field on the farm had a full-size goal, had a little garden tractor cut to the grass, a roller behind. To us, from a small village in Cornwall, it sort of looked like Wembley. So we had plenty of space to go and play and do whatever we wanted to do, whether it was football or ride our bikes or spend time on the farm. Yeah, it was a really fun time”.

At age 10, Ollie joined Dobwalls and spent a couple of years playing in the Cornwall League on Sunday mornings. He then joined AFC Venterdon who played in the Plymouth League despite being based just outside Callington. There he was part of a squad that went on a two-year winning streak picking up league and cup titles. And from there he was picked up by Argyle. Ollie chuckles when I ask him if he was always destined to be a goalie.

“I don’t really know. I spent a couple of years playing elsewhere – centre mid, left mid, left back. But it was just a bit of fun. I had times where I didn’t want to be a goalkeeper. I think everyone’s had that, because it’s not an easy position to play. But ultimately it was the only, it was the only position I was any good at. So if I was going to do anything, it was going to be a goal.”

The 6’1” keeper sees himself as a calm and assuring presence in the team. He’s not loud off the pitch but likes to think of himself as a fairly vocal presence on it, leading by example. A calming presence, someone who is reliable and dependable. 

“I hope that people sort of look at me to think that they can trust me. They can rely on me during games, but off the pitch as well. “

Ollie fits in well with the Mousehole style of play, ball at the feet. He looks across to top-scorer Hayden Turner who’s just joined us in the bus stop for affirmation. He smiles. “Yes, definitely”. 

Growing up, Ollie’s hero was Peter Schmeichel. 

“He just unbelievable. Everything he did, just his presence in the goal, some of the saves he used to make were  incredible. And he’s the first goalkeeper I really remember as well. That Manchester United team of 99 and what they achieved. Yeah, that’s my first real memory, I guess, of watching football, so he was a big part of that.”

Now at Mousehole, Ollie finds himself in the role of father-figure and mentor to reserve goalkeeper Lewis Moyle. 

“He’s a top goalkeeper. Everything he does technically is spot on. He trains well, his attitude is unbelievable. You know, the fact he’s at he’s at every game, he’s at every training session, never misses a session, that speaks volumes about him as a person, as a kid, but his technical ability is unbelievable. I have no doubt he will go on and do big things. Hopefully he can look up to me, and if I can help him along the way as well, then yeah, I’m pleased to do that.”

Also looking up to Ollie are his two daughters who come along with his wife Emily to a lot of Mousehole home fixtures, and a fair few away matches too. They’re a crucial part of what makes him tick. 

“I think they love it more than I do sometimes. As they get older, they might start to want to do other things, but every week they want to come. You know, when we ask them to come, there’s no hesitation. And Emily’s a massive support as well. Because it’s such a time commitment, and when you’ve got a young family, if they weren’t fully invested, then it wouldn’t be easy to give up that time. But because they’re there, because they come almost every week it helps me. Helps me just enjoy the day without feeling guilty in any way. Plus, the club looks after them as well.”

Ollie and I have at last resolved the issue of getting his goal keeping better coverage in our media output. This season I’ve finally got around to buying a second go-pro camera to catch his saves rather than just the goal action at the other end of the pitch. This echoes his sense that in football, the goalie can often be the overlooked member of the squad. I ask him if keepers get the recognition they deserve?

“Honestly no.  Naturally other positions take the glory and people remember the mistakes that goalie makes.But they won’t remember the minor details. Not just the saves, but taking the pressure off, taking crosses, you know, when you’re under the cosh. Building attacks from the back. However, it always amazes me how many messages I get in the evening after games from the lads talking about certain moments that go unnoticed but changed games which is always nice to hear.”

So what of the future? Ollie’s not sure when he’ll hang up his boots and what comes next. But he’s looking forward to one day coming and watching the game with his family without the pressure of being between the sticks. 

And will the legacy continue? Perhaps it’s already being created, in that same farm field where Ollie started playing all those years ago.

“My daughter has seen me and she’s seen the challenges that I’ve had as well, coming every week. But we do play football together. She doesn’t play for a club, but we play at home. And she wants to play in goal. Doesn’t want to play anywhere else. She stands there. She’s got a goalie gloves. So, yeah, she wants to do it. I’m not gonna stop her.”

MOUSEHOLE CLUB SHOP

MOUSEHOLE 2-1 LISKEARD ATHLETIC

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION 1 WEST

SATURDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2019

AT TRUNGLE PARC

MOUSEHOLE’S ‘MATCH OF THE DAY’ VICTORY ENDS LEADERS’ LONG UNBEATEN RUN

At a damp and increasingly foggy Trungle Parc, Mousehole hosted their first home match for six weeks against a table-topping Liskeard Athletic side boasting the only unbeaten record among all 52 clubs in the three Divisions of the South West Peninsula League, with 14 wins in their 17 matches so far this season.

But The Seagulls themselves had already built an impressive 100% record in 2019, and with goals just before and after half-time deservedly sent the visitors back empty-handed to end their chance of emulating Mousehole’s own record-breaking unbeaten campaign in 2015/16.

Two surviving members of that championship-winning team – captain Billy Curtis and Liam Andrew – played a major role in the win as part of a superbly marshalled defensive partnership of local players that effectively blunted Liskeard’s high-scoring attack.

A minute’s applause was held before kick-off in honour of Edwin Jeffries, the former player and lifelong Seagulls supporter, as well as a much-decorated D-Day Landings veteran, who died on Friday aged 95.

The game was fiercely contested from the start, keeping referee Simon Long busy dealing with several uncompromising challenges as well as the visitors’ continual attempts to influence his decisions.  But as the game progressed it was Mousehole’s footballing style that made them the stronger side and apart from one scare midway through the second half they came through confidently to claim all three points.

Liskeard started the brighter of the two teams and it was hardly a surprise when James Lorenz added to his 40-goal tally in the 16th minute as he raced on to a simple through ball to open the scoring.  And just three minutes later it was nearly 2-0 to the visitors, captain Jack Podmore shooting wide from 15 yards.

Mousehole were having to work hard at this stage to combat the impact of ball-carrying midfielder Jarrad Woods and the lurking menace of Lorenz, but they gradually succeeded in imposing themselves on the game.  On 22 minutes Lez Cela’s goalbound volley from Dan Osomebi’s cross was deflected for a corner and from the flag kick appeals for a penalty for handball were turned away.  Meanwhile at the other end Podmore was wide with a near-post header from a corner.  Ben Williams then came up for a Kevin Nicholson free kick but put his attempt wide at the far post on 37.

The Seagulls’ persistence paid off three minutes before the interval with an equaliser to give fresh impetus to the half-time team talk.  After Ben Williams had again come close, a short corner on the right was played to Paulo Sousa and his low cross into a crowded area from the angle of the penalty box was touched home for a debut goal by Dan Osomebi from 8 yards.  The scorer then sprinted clear from inside his own half on 44 after a dangerous-looking Liskeard attack had been broken up, only for keeper Jamie Blatchford to smother the chance.

Mousehole started the second period on the front foot in worsening visibility on the pitch.  It was a characteristic strike from Mousehole’s top scorer that put the home side into the lead in the 51st minute.  Osomebi’s lofted cross from the left was headed back across the six yard line by Paulo Sousa from beyond the far post, where Gerens James for once got the better of his close marker Dylan Peel, chesting the ball down with great composure and driving home in one movement.

Hamza Kaid almost made it 3-1 in the 55th minute, Blatchford blocking the shot after a classy interchange of passing on the right had prised open the visitors’ defence.  Back came Liskeard and substitute Sam Rogers’ first touch was a 20-yard volley that flew marginally high and wide. And The Blues came close to salvaging their remarkable record in an amazing few seconds in the 71st minute, when they had a header cleared off the line, volleyed the clearance against the upright, and saw keeper Jason Robertson tip over a header from the rebound.

That was the last seen of the visitors’ attacking threat as Mousehole completely controlled the remainder of the game, with Blatchford again keeping the score down with big saves from Lez Cela on 74 and substitute Amin Ahmed on 80, with the latter also miscontrolling a great chance in front of goal on 89.

The scene is now set for an exciting last two months of the league season, with just seven points separating the top five teams.  Mousehole are in 5th place, five points behind Liskeard, who have a game in hand, and seven points behind the new leaders Porthleven, who have played a game more.  St Dennis and Wadebridge Town are one point ahead of The Seagulls having played four and two games more, respectively, and with much worse goal differences.  Significantly, seven of Mousehole’s last nine games are at home, including against both Wadebridge and Porthleven – the latter being the last match of the season – with an away trip to St Dennis a few days before.

Meanwhile, Mousehole’s next fixture is another tough challenge this Saturday (2nd March) when they make the long journey to the other side of Plymouth to take on Premier Division team Elburton Villa in the quarter finals of the League Cup.  The Seagulls are the only Division 1 representatives left in the competition, having already beaten three higher-league sides in Newquay and Sticker away, and Plymouth Argyle at home.  Kick off at Haye Road is at 2.30 pm, with extra time and penalties if necessary to decide the outcome.  The winners will play high-flying Premier Division Saltash United in the semi-finals at a neutral venue on Tuesday 26th March.

Mousehole:  Jason Robertson, Billy Curtis (captain), Liam Andrew, Ben Williams, Kevin Nicholson, Lez Cela, Lorenzo Qerimi, Paulo Sousa, Hamza Kaid, Gerens James, Dan Osomebi

Substitutes:  Callum George (for Lorenzo Qerimi, 61), Amin Ahmed (for Dan Osomebi, 77), Amara Bakayoko (for Hamza Kaid, 90+3), Tyler Tonkin, Sam Schulberg

Scorers:  Liskeard – James Lorenz (16).  Mousehole – Dan Osomebi (42), Gerens James (51)

Referee: Simon Long.     Attendance: 128

HOLYWELL & CUBERT 1-2 MOUSEHOLE RESERVES

CORNWALL JUNIOR CUP sponsored by Bond Timber

THIRD ROUND TIE, SATURDAY 24^th NOVEMBER 2018

AT TRETHERRAS SCHOOL, NEWQUAY

RESERVES WIN THROUGH TO FOURTH ROUND OF CORNWALL JUNIOR CUP

This match between teams from Duchy League 1 and Trelawny League Premier Division was played on a narrow school pitch, in grey overcast conditions but with the forecast rain holding off until the closing stages.

Mousehole made an excellent start, being unlucky not to take the lead in the first five minutes.  The Seagulls seemed to be gradually taking control, but Holywell had other ideas and against the run of play they almost took the lead from a close-range shot, which was turned away for a corner by Jonathan Fitchett, with the keeper going on to make a series of important saves during the first half.   Benji Ward, Joe Davies, Kyle Bickmore and Tom McGarry in defence had a busy first half, having to be at their best to prevent the home side taking the lead.  Mousehole were arguably the stronger team, but lots of their passes went astray and confidence started to drop as a result.

 After a good half-time team talk, Mousehole again made a strong start, but unexpectedly Holywell broke forward to take the lead.  Joe Davies then drove a free kick from the edge of the box into the corner of the net to restore parity and a sense of confidence.

Nathan Goodspeed, Lee Robinson and JJ Simmonds started to assert themselves in midfield, but Holywell continued to attack, keeping Fitchett busy in the visitors’ goal.   The home side then made a defensive blunder, allowing JJ Simmonds to capitalise and score The Seagulls’ second goal, which turned out to be the winner.

With confidence now returning, Jacob Trudgeon, Jamie Simons and Michael Fitchett stepped up their attacking efforts, but were kept out by some dogged defending.  Holywell came extremely close to grabbing an equaliser, but were denied by fine keeping again by Jonathan Fitchett in the dying minutes of the game.

In summary:  a scappy game, but a win against a battling Holywell & Cubert side, and a place in the draw for the fourth round of the Junior Cup to be played on 12^th January.

Mousehole Reserves’ squad:  Jonathan Fitchett, Jason Simmonds, Michael Fitchett, Nathan Goodspeed, Lee Robinson, Tom McGarry, Joe Davies, Benji Ward, Jacob Trudgeon, Jamie Simons, Tom Hooper, Alex Nixon, Kyle Bickmore.

Next up for mid-table Mousehole Reserves is a home league match against winless bottom side St Agnes Reserves this Saturday (1^st December) at Trungle Parc, kick off 2.30pm.

MOUSEHOLE 7-1 BUDE TOWN

SOUTH WEST PENINSULA LEAGUE, DIVISION ONE WEST

SATURDAY 13TH OCTOBER 2018, AT TRUNGLE PARC

On a windy and dank afternoon at Trungle Parc, Mousehole were without several regulars but still swept aside winless Bude Town with an impressive all-round display which could well have resulted in a double-figure scoreline.

Steven Ziboth and Gerens James both recorded hat-tricks and centre-back Adel Fafaiti grabbed his first goal for the club.

The win takes The Seagulls up to 6th place in the League table, with games in hand over all but one of the teams above, ahead of an interesting League Cup second round tie away at Premier Division bottom side Sticker on Friday evening (7:45pm) – (this game brought forward from Saturday). 

With the wind at their backs, Mousehole signalled their intentions as early as the 9th minute when Steven Ziboth’s penetrating pass created space on the left for young left-back Tom Hands, whose instant whipped-in cross was marginally ahead of Gerens James’ arrival at the far post.

After gradually coming to terms with the high wind, The Seagulls finally took the lead on the half-hour when good work just outside the box by newcomer Herman Niamke enabled Steven Ziboth to fire in a low left-footed drive from the 18-yard line.  And just three minutes later the wingman played a smart one-two with Gerens James before placing a 15-yarder low inside the near post this time with his right foot.

Bude were donated an unexpected gift on 37 minutes when indecisiveness in the home defence in dealing with a through-ball left Ruan Tape to side-foot into an unattended net from 25 yards out.

Mousehole created chances before half-time in an attempt to give the score line some credibility, centre-back Adel Gafaiti heading inches over from a corner on 41, and Ziboth close to a ‘true’ hat-trick with another shot from the edge of the box just too high.

In the second half, the home side’s pressing and measured passing brought the constant threat of a goal, with three of them arriving in a seven minute spell.

On 53 minutes, Adel Gafaiti nodded in his first goal for the club from a few yards out after Gerens James’ header from a Ziboth cross had rebounded off the bar.

In the 56th minute, Gerens James scored the best goal of the game to make it 4-1, Paulo Sousa cleverly releasing the energetic Hermann Niamke inside the box on the right for a perfectly weighted cross along the 6-yard line tapped home in ‘classic’ goal-poaching fashion at the far post.

Steven Ziboth duly got his hat-trick on the hour, swerving past his marker to power a drive into the roof of the net from an angle, after the visitors’ defensive cover had been turned inside-out by a neat passing move across the area.

Not to be out-done, Gerens James had a goalbound header from Billy Curtis’ cross blocked on the line by a well-positioned defender on 69 minutes, but two minutes later in a repeat of that move James’ close-range header made it 6-1, and shortly afterwards a spectacular hat-trick goal from a diving header into the net was ruled out for offside.  Undeterred, the prolific marksman had to wait just five minutes more as Ziboth yet again prised open the defence, Paul Sousa unselfishly squared the ball inside and James calmly side-footed in from 8 yards.

To their great credit Bude had played throughout with a sportsmanlike attitude despite being constantly put under pressure, and at 7-1 down they abandoned their damage-limitation tactics to venture forward in numbers in a spirited and entertaining last ten minutes.  Harry Hopcroft sent a thunderous 30-yard drive against the crossbar and then forced debutant goalkeeper Jason Robertson – who had been Porthleven’s ‘man of the match’ in their narrow 3-2 win over Mousehole in September – into a sharp diving save.

Mousehole: Jason Robertson, Matthew Howes, Billy Curtis (captain), Adel Gafaiti, Tom Hands, Lorenzo Qerimi, Hamza Kaid, Paul Sousa, Gerens James, Steven Ziboth, Hermann Niamke.

Substitutes: Ryan Andrew (for Hamza Kaid, 65), Jason Simmonds (for Steven Ziboth, 87), Tom Patrick, Dom Angove, Sam Shulberg.

Scorers:  STEVEN ZIBOTH 30 (1-0), STEVEN ZIBOTH 33 (2-0), Ruan Tape 37 (2-1).  Half-time 2-1.  ADEL GAFAITI 53 (3-1), GERENS JAMES 56 (4-1), STEVEN ZIBOTH 60 (5-1), GERENS JAMES 71 (6-1), GERENS JAMES 76 (7-1). Full-time 7-1.

Referee: Steve Annis    Attendance: 56

ALL THE MOUSEHOLE GOALS HERE…..

In a significant move for both player and club, Adel Gafaiti has put his trust in Mousehole AFC and the Endorsed Academy to re-start his professional career.

The former Glasgow Rangers youth team and Norwich City U21s player has joined from Ukrainian Premier League team FC Zirka Kropyvnytskyi to further develop his skills and re-establish his level in the English game.

Gafaiti, now 24, has international honours with his chosen country Algeria at U20 level, and joins two other talented French-born players Steven Ziboth and William Vouama, who are already making a name for themselves with The Seagulls.

After a couple of highly impressive starts at centre-back for Mousehole, Adel is delighted with his decision:  “I am already loving my time here in Cornwall and feel like I am developing more and more everyday.   I never thought there would be a facility such as this, nor the quality of daily coaching, in a region as beautiful as this. This the perfect place for me to re-launch my career!”

In the first of its kind at Mousehole AFC, Jason Blunt – who set up the new Endorsed Academy in the summer of 2017 – led a well-attended parent education session on 29th September on “the effects of pre-match and post-match information on the growth and maturation of young players”.

The aim was to discuss with parents how they can improve the holistic development of young aspiring athletes through appropriate verbal and non-verbal communication.

Parents also took advantage of the opportunity to share their own experiences about their children’s progress and the beneficial impact football has had on their entire family, whether their children had been playing the game for some time or had recently taken it up afresh.

The feedback from parents was positive and constructive, clearly indicating the need to offer regular sessions of this kind, as the club continues to do all it can to help its young players, and their parents, in all walks of life, both on and off the pitch.