LYDNEY TOWN v MOUSEHOLE AFC, FA VASE ROUND 2: THE MOWDOG'S PREVIEW...

 Lydney Town v Mousehole AFC:

The Mowdog's Preview...

This FA Vase tie brings together an Hellenic League Premier Division team, Lydney Town and Mousehole AFC from the Western League's Premier Division and all things considered, the Cornish guests have enjoyed a more profitable start to the season so far.

I visited Lydney's Swan Road in 2018 for another FA Vase match, which The Town lost by 1-3 to Abbey Rangers but this time they entertain Mousehole, where I spend a couple of holidays each year, for the village has always been very special to me.

TAKEN ON MY VISIT IN 2018...

Lydney currently lie 14th in their league with 3 wins, 4 draws and 7 losses from their 14 games, their goal-difference is -19 and they have accumulated 13 points.

The Seagulls though lie 6th in their division's standings, with 6 wins, 5 draws and just 1 defeat. Their goal-difference is +13 and they have amassed 23 points.

Lydney's season so far... 

The club experienced a disappointing start to the campaign which began with a 0-0 draw at Longlevens, followed by a 2-4 home loss in the FA Cup to Kidlington. Lewis Thompson scored two spot-kicks in that game for The Town.

A 0-0 home draw v Hereford Lads Club, in which Lewis Bamford won the MVP award from their opponents, was followed by two heavy away defeats, 4-0 at Tuffley Rovers and 5-0 at Malvern Town.

Another defeat, this time 1-5 at Swan Road against Fairford Town, the consolation goal coming from Steve Clark was followed by a much needed win, 2-3 at Hereford Pegasus. Bamford, Liam Sheppard and Thompson grabbed the goals, after The Town had trailed 2-0 but it has to be reported that Hereford's Griffiths and Gwynn were dismissed around 15 minutes from the end of the encounter.

STEVE CLARK HAS SCORED THE TOWN'S LAST THREE GOALS...

A 1-2 home loss to Westfields, in which Jordan Sheen scored for The Town and Rich Thomas was acclaimed Town's MVP by their guests, was followed by a 2-2 draw at Royal Wootton Bassett Town, in which Jamie Addis and Declan Morley-Lyne netted for Lydney.

'KEEPER RICH THOMAS WAS VOTED THE TEAM'S MVP BY VISITORS WESTFIELDS...

A 2-1 home win v Longlevens featured goals by Morley-Lyne and substitute Fin Maguire-Hamblett, before the lads visited Hengrove Athletic for an FA Vase tie. A Thompson hat-trick and strikes by Morley-Lyne and Fin Hamblett saw the lads through to the next round with a 1-5 victory.

However, the team continued to experience mixed league results, first losing 3-5 at home to Malvern Town, in which Sheen scored a brace and replacement Jared Liddington nabbed the other goal, then Steve Clark was voted the MVP after scoring the only goal in the 0-1 success at Brimscombe & Thrupp. Next though came a 3-1 defeat on the road at Fairford Town, where Steve Clark again found the net.

Steve Clark's penalty wasn't enough to defeat Chipping Sodbury Town in a 1-1 draw at home, with the Sods' goal also being scored from the penalty-spot.

LIAM SHEPPARD SCORED AT HEREFORD PEGASUS BUT THE IMAGE IS FROM THE 2018 TIE AGAINST ABBEY RANGERS...

A midweek cup-tie then saw lowly Tuffley Rovers run out 0-4 winners at Lydney but worse was to come, as Roman Glass St George won by the same scoreline at Lydney last Saturday in a league game.

Mousehole's story so far this term...

A 1-5 win at Torpoint Athletic saw Louis Price and Tallan Mitchell both net a brace, whilst Hayden Turner snaffled the other goal. Turner netted again in a 1-1 home draw v Saltash United, then in the FA Cup, a Mitchell penalty at Barnstaple Town earned a 1-1 draw and a replay, which the Seagulls edged 3-2 after overtime. Another Mitchell penalty, a goal by a guy I remember well from his Truro days, Andy Watkins and the winner by substitute Reece Thomson saw Mousehole into the next round.

A YOUTHFUL ANDY WATKINS LINES UP FOR TRURO CITY AT TIVERTON TOWN...

Three disappointing results followed, first a 0-0 stalemate at Ashton & Backwell, then a 1-2 home loss to Millbrook, where Jack Calver scored the Seagulls' goal, before in the FA Cup, Torpoint Athletic beat Mousehole 3-2, despite goals by Turner and Callam McOnie.

Better form followed, as Mousehole beat Street FC 5-1 at Trungle Park, courtesy of goals by Moussa Diallo, McOnie, Jack Symons, then replacements Turner in the 81st minute and Calver in the final moments. Falmouth Town were then beaten 3-2 at home with Diallo scoring twice and substitute Watkins netting in the 90th minute.

HAYDEN TURNER: 8 GOALS SO FAR THIS TERM, ACCORDING TO THE WESTERN LEAGUE'S FULL-TIME WEBSITE...

Diallo, Watkins and a 91st minute strike by Mark Richards enabled the Seagulls to secure a 3-3 draw at Saltash United, before Sherborne Town were defeated 2-0 at Trungle Park, during which Turner's goal was added to in the 88th minute by replacement McOnie.

A 1-5 victory in the FA Vase at Shepton Mallet saw Price, Turner, Kyle Fraser, substitute Watkins (88 minutes) and Andrew Elcock (97 minutes) find the net, ensuring that The Seagulls were safely through to this week's tie at Lydney.

A dramatic 0-2 win at Falmouth Town, where Max Connor Hill and Elcock grabbed the vital goals, saw Town's Tom Annear and Tim Nixon sin-binned, whilst both Brabyn and Kellow were dismissed for the home team...

A 1-1 draw v Barnstaple Town came courtesy of a Turner strike, before a County Cup-tie v Callington wasn't played at all due to the opponents being unable to field a team and thus Mousehole progressed to the next round of that competition with a walkover.

ADEL GAFAITI: VOTED THE SEAGULLS' MVP AFTER THE 1-1 DRAW AGAINST BARNSTAPLE TOWN...

Ilfracombe Town visited Trungle Park next and Mousehole were rescued at the death by Max Hill's strike, assisted by the team's other goalscorer Turner. 2-2 was the final score and the Seagulls would have been somewhat relieved against a stubborn opponent.

Another home game followed v Buckland Athletic, also in the top 6 of the division, last Saturday and the Seagulls led when Mark Goldsworthy knocked in a 17th minute goal but stern opposition meant more of a struggle after the break, as Buckland upped their game.

MOUSEHOLE'S MANAGER JAKE ASH SKIPPERS TRURO CITY AGAINST FARNBOROUGH TOWN.
PROBABLY IN THE 1970s...
Seriously though, it will be good to see the old chap again...

Full coverage of the tie, including video highlights with full commentary, screenshots, images and an independent match report will appear at themowdog.blogspot.com from Sunday morning... 

The Mowdog...