Mount Wise Stadium, home of Newquay AFC based in Cornwall and play their trade in Step 6 of the non league pyramid in the South West Peninsula League Premier Division West. Nicknamed the “Peppermints” after the club colours match the old Peppermint sweets.
It’s the final part of the South West trip as we drive down to Newquay from Hooe in Devon to watch Kizz’s beloved Nuneaton Borough in action!
Thank you to the Lake House and the Royal Oak for your hospitality!! And what a lovely place you have here! Off we go to Newquay! But first, a quick pit stop in Plymouth, what a beautiful city!! I can’t believe I have never been here before…
Off we go to Newquay now!! But second, another pit stop. This time at Liskeard, the King Doniert is calling for a Wetherspoons breakfast! Kizz goes for the filth, while I go for my favourite: Eggs Benedict! All gone! Off we go to Newquay again!!
For the first time ever, Tamar Bridge is in front of me!! We’re crossing the bridge into the unknown… I am in Cornwall for the first time ever!
Arrival in Newquay with an hour before kick off, so far so good! It’s a beautiful day which can mean only one thing: off to the sea front! Another first is coming up, Cornish Pasty!! Will my taste buds be as happy as the weather?
Time is ticking and it’s time for the game. Back up the hill we go. £6 to get into this one! Will the long trip be worth it? Pin badge acquired! £3!
10 minutes to go before kick off and the players are only just coming out to warm up… A few late arrivals has put the game back 30 minutes… If only we knew, could have seen a bit more of Newquay… But at least it wasn’t all bad!
Kick Off! 5 minutes in and Nuneaton come forward, the ball is played into Harry Wakefield in the box from the left, he plays it to Ravi Shamsi who flicks it up… It’s come of the Newquay defenders hand and it’s a penalty! Definite penalty for me there! Ravi Shamsi will take it… And he tucks it away! 0-1! Nuneaton fans loving that one! “Dada dadada dadadada, Borough!”
14 minutes on the watch and Newquay have a corner, in it comes… Nuneaton clear but Newquay retrieve it, they work it forward, it’s played to number 8 20 yards out and he shoots… It’s wide.
Nuneaton looking the better of the 2 teams in terms of quality but Newquay are working really hard! Nuneaton shouldn’t take them lightly. 21 minutes now and Newquay have the ball on the left, it’s lifted into the box towards number 10, the keeper collects… Oh no he’s dropped it and number 10 gets it and shoots… OH! It’s blocked! It comes out to the left and Newquay still have it, but Nuneaton win it back and clear the danger.
A bit of banter between the Newquay defence and the Nuneaton fans behind the goal, non league = fantastic!!
28th minute and Nuneaton’s Jordan Goddard is played through down the right, he plays it across the box… Newquay clear for a corner, in comes the corner… It’s missed by everyone and goes over to the left, Nuneaton’s Joel Kettle chases it to the corner flag and gets it, Newquay’s number 8 applies pressure to win it back and brings him down, the referee has given a free kick to Newquay… No idea why, the Nuneaton fans not happy!
Nuneaton’s league difference from Newquay is starting to show now as they come forward a lot more. 38th minute and Nuneaton come down the left, it’s played across the edge of the box and it gets to Awadah for Nuneaton, he cuts inside and shoots… Keeper gets down and saves.
43 minutes gone now and Nuneaton’s Armitage comes down the left, he plays it upfield to Harry Wakefield, Armitage gets it back in the box and shoots first time… Good save by the keeper! It’s a corner for Nuneaton, in it comes… It’s off a Newquay head and out for another, in it comes again… Newquay clear.
Right on half time now and Nuneaton have the ball in midfield, it’s played to Harry Wakefield, he drives down the right hand side, he cuts inside on his left in the box and let’s fly… He scores!!! Beats the keeper at the near post! And it’s 0-2! That would be the last action of the half with the score at 0-2!
Into the club bar at half time and a new drink for me to try! Newquay’s very own Peppermint export! The verdict: Delicious!!
Second half, 50 minutes on the clock and Newquay have a free kick around 30 yards out, number 10 steps up and he goes for power… So close to finding the bottom corner after a great save by the keeper! Corner, in it comes… Nuneaton clear.
54th minute and Nuneaton have a free kick around 25 yards out in a good position, Ravi Shamsi steps up… He hits the wall but it falls to Harry Wakefield who’s in on goal… He buries it!!! 0-3!! Nuneaton have daylight in front of them now!
57 minutes now and Newquay’s number 8 gets the ball in midfield, he gets past the Nuneaton defence and gets into the box, he fires at goal… But it’s straight at the keeper.
66th minute and Newquay come forward, the ball is played to number 8 in midfield, he beats his man and he’s got a clear run at goal now, he gets into the box and he shoots… He’s dragged it just wide! So close!
67th minute and Newquay come down the right hand side, the cross comes in, it falls to number 9 on the volley… It’s blocked but was it by a hand? “Yes!” Says the referee! Penalty to Newquay! Number 10 steps up… He scores!! Newquay have got their goal! 1-3!
Newquay starting to believe a bit more now! Will they make a game of it? As we get into the last 10 minutes, Nuneaton are starting to come forward a bit more, have Newquay ran out of steam now?
89th minute and Ravi Shamsi receives the ball in the Newquay half, he gets to around 20 yards out, he cuts inside, he goes for the Cruyff turn and he’s deceived both Newquay defenders, he does shoot now! He finds the bottom corner!! Game over now! 1-4! Good performance by both teams you have to say!
FT: Newquay 1-4 Nuneaton Borough
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 3.5/10 – A bit of noise from the travelling Nuneaton fans and a bit of good banter between them and the Newquay defence and goalkeeper!
- The Ground: 9/10 – A beautiful ground for this level! A brilliant old stand, a fantastic bar and plenty of character all around the ground with a good picturesque view from one side!
- Expense: 9/10 – £6 is good for non league, debatable for pre-season but it was a decent game!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – Whilst the whole trip would be a 10/10, the day today was great! A good game, a photo with Leroy Lita and a good game! A bit of drama in the game would have made it a 10/10. A big thanks to Kizz for making this trip possible!
30.5/40
Thanks for a great article. Are you happy for us to use some of your photos on social media for Newquay AFC? I can tag you in them if you have Facebook/Instagram accounts?
Glad you enjoyed your visit to us at Mount Wise stadium
Thank you! Yes use whichever photos you like, tag the blog in them please
Brilliant write up brilliant photos and you got me and my dog Smokie going through the Turnstiles ,Nuneaton fans where great and a good laugh hope you come back to our town again next season ,hope we gave you all a good Cornish Welcome
Thank you mate! You certainly did! I’ll have to get back down to Cornwall again this season to see more teams for sure!
Thanks for coming to Newquay Topliss! And doing this write up and promoting our small town club 😃
My pleasure mate! Thank you very much! I’ll definitely be coming down to Cornwall again soon!