Mousehole need Bristol Manor Farm to slip up
MOUSEHOLE head into the final round of fixtures in Southern League Division One South needing a favour from either Tavistock or Frome Town over rivals Bristol manor Farm in a two-horse race for the fourth and final end of season play-off place.
Jake Ash’s side crept into the playoff zone in midweek with their 4-1 thrashing of Exmouth Town at Trungle Parc thanks to goals from Tallan Mitchell, Hayden Turner, Tim Nixon and Brandon Pursall after Aaron Denny had given Exmouth a halftime lead.
The Seagulls will have hoped for a big favour from Tavistock last night, as they hosted Manor Farm in their game in hand on the Cornish outfit before the final round of games tomorrow. If Hendo’s Lambs could beat Manor Farm, then the advantage would be with Mousehole going into the last round of fixtures, which sees Mousehole host Bishops Cleeve and Manor Farm head to Frome Town.
Frome have it all to play for themselves as could yet be crowned champions – if Wimborne Town fail to win their final game at Melksham Town, that is. A draw for Wimborne and a win for Frome would also see Frome crowned champions as they have a better goal difference.
Tavistock, meanwhile, bring the curtain down on their campaign at home to Yate Town. Henderson’s team have beaten all of the top four at some point this season, which underlines the potential of this young team, but consistency is what ultimately cost them a crack of the play-offs. But with survival the aim in pre-season, it has been another impressive campaign for the Lambs.
Willand Rovers could finish 13th is they can beat Malvern Town at Silver Street and hope Bemerton Heath Harlequins and Bashley lose at Bideford and Westbury United respectively.
It has been a disappointing season for Sean Joyce’s Bideford, who looked a good bet for a play-off place up until the New Year, but their form has dropped off massively since then to leave them 12th going into the last round of fixtures.
Exmouth’s season finished with that heavy defeat at Mousehole as they were due to play the now defunct Hamworthy United on the final day.
Helston Athletic clinched the Western League title in midweek with a 2-1 win at Torpoint, which means they are not only champions, but promoted to Southern League Division One South.
It has been a fantastic title race this year with Falmouth Town pushing them close, but they got over the line thanks to goals from Steve Colwell and Rikki Shepherd. Ryan Richards pulled a goal back in stoppage time for Point, but it was no more than consolation.
Helston wrap up their season at home top Clevedon Town today where they will be presented with the league title, with their name added to previous local winners Mousehole (2022/23) and Tavistock (2021/11).
The season concludes for most teams tomorrow with Barnstaple Town and Buckland Athletic meeting at the Sports Ground. Falmouth finish a memorable campaign at home to Oldland Abbotonians, while Torpoint finish at Nailsea & Tickenham.
The season continues after tomorrow for some clubs with Saltash United at home to Welton Rovers, Brixham facing Wellington, Ilfracombe entertaining Street and Millbrook’s unlikely battle for survival taking them to Bridgwater. Millbrook still have four games remaining after tomorrow’s match and they will have to win all four to stand any chance of survival.