Mousehole AFC’s injury time header condemned Manor Farm to an agonising defeat at The NL Services Stadium on Tuesday evening, writes Jack Davies.
The visitors were unbeaten so far this season and showed early promise with their high press. Jack Bray-Evans stole the ball high up bit his shot was brilliantly saved via the shoulder of Seth Locke. It was Farm’s own press that forced a corner that led to the opening goal after 20 minutes. Defender Pursall blocked a potential own goal on his goal line, but his clearance was charged down by Farm stalwart Lloyd Mills, to give Farm the lead. Farm kept pushing and the influential Jayden Nielsen was running the show. He had his own effort just after the opener, bringing down a Mills header before firing just wide. He then turned provider, with a beautiful reverse ball to Evander Grubb who rounded the keeper but was defeated by the angle. Farm would double their lead just after the half hour and Nielsen was inevitably involved. He cut inside before finding Owen Brian, who lashed a finish home for his 8th of a very impressive season so far. Mousehole had suffered their own comebacks of late, having drew from winning positions in their last two league games and were pushing to end the half well. Steve Kingdon had to put a superb last ditch tackle on Bray-Evans as he looked certain to score before Turner volleyed wide a very presentable chance after 40 minutes. The visitors would get their reward deep into first half added time. A short corner was moved to Callum McOnie who found the far top corner with his effort from the angle.
Mousehole would prove to be much more clinical second half but not before a moment Turner won’t want to see again. Tallan Mitchell slalomed through several Farm tackles before laying across to Mitchell who was just 5 yards out. The forward got caught between a finish and a first touch and somehow managed to place the ball into the arms of Locke, who was led on the ground still at the near post. The pressure would tell just after the hour in a goal Farm won’t want to see back. A deep corner fell to the completely unmarked Lewis who headed back across for the equally unmarked Max Hill to hammer home the equaliser. Both sides were attacking in numbers in a hugely entertaining final quarter of the game. Grubb struck a superb volley that clipped Aron Robbins and somehow went over after striking the ground before Locke was on hand to make a superb low save just 20 seconds later. The visitors would complete the initial comeback with 15 minutes to play. Farm guilty of being caught in transition and Mitchell surged forward and unleashed an effort from range that flew past Locke for 3-2. Farm rallied after going behind and levelled in superb fashion. Brain sent in a superb ball that was only matched by an incredible header from substitute Bevan Cross. The young forward hadn’t yet touched the ball before adjusting excellently to loop a header over Chenoweth, despite falling to the ground as he made contact. Mousehole would have the final word in a gut punch for the hosts. Farm again caught in transition as Mitchell’s cross was headed in by the flying Bray-Evans in the very final seconds to make the long journey home, a worthwhile one for the Seagulls.