Tuffley’s season ends in defeat but is another step in the right direction
Tuffley Rovers ended their 2024/25 season with a 4-1 defeat against Corsham Town, but even a final day defeat couldn’t take away from another positive season at Glevum Park.
Neil Mustoe’s side went into the game knowing a win would see them reach their highest points tally since their return to the Hellenic Premier in 2014, but three quickfire second half goals saw Corsham stretch to a 4-0 lead.
Harley Mustoe pulled one back late on, but Rovers would suffer a deserved defeat on the night.
But the result won’t take away from yet another good season for the club, as they continue to build year-upon-year since Mustoe’s arrival.
Two seasons ago they finished in 18th place and only four points outside the relegation places, but after a more solid 14th place finish last season, they end the season in 10th and know the lowest they will finish is 12th.
It is undoubtedly another step in the right direction for Tuffley, who will once again to try and retain their key core group of players and look to add to it for an assault on the top half and even a play-off push next season.
This season they have already done well on that front, beating a number of teams who will finish above them, whilst adding players like Oli Barnes to the mix, who, when fully fit, can be an unplayable proposition in the league.
If they can keep hold of the likes of Karnell Chambers, Kieran Alder and Luke Merchant, then expect another solid season for Mustoe’s men next season.
The game itself started with Corsham flying out of the traps, with chances for Jamal Salawu and Raph Oppong – but Merchant remained untested.
Tuffley created a couple of chances of their own, with Corey Warrington having an effort saved and Oli Barnes flicking a header wide from a short corner.
Harley Mustoe got forward from right back to send an effort in on goal, but it was well saved by Louis Smith in the Corsham goal.
And on half an hour Corsham got the opener that their play just about deserved as Salawu planted an effort past Merchant from about 8 yards.
Three goals in five second half minutes saw Corsham extend their lead to secure all three points, blowing away Tuffley in the process.
Devanti McInerney scored two carbon copy strikes to leave Luke Merchant furious. First, he was slipped in on the left side of box, taking the ball in his stride and slotting past the Tuffley keeper.
Moments later, McInerney was slipped in for the second time in three minutes and blasted home from a similar position.
The dust had barely settled before Salawu took advantage of some slack defending to fire home a fourth.
Tuffley did manage to get themselves one final goal in their season – with Mustoe chesting down a flick on, before seeing his effort deflect past Smith.
The visitors were reduced to ten for the final minutes as Jayden Radway was given a harsh second yellow card for kicking the ball away, but by then the points were safe.
Corsham have one game left in their season and can finish above Tuffley if they win at Longlevens on Saturday.
Rovers will now look to take a well earned rest before going again in the summer, but Neil Mustoe’s side can do so knowing they have had another good campaign.
Tuffley Rovers: Merchant, H Mustoe, Clifford, Pritchett, Turner, McGuirk, Warrington, Alder, Chambers, Barnes, Bevan
Subs: Walters, Lander, Valenti, Creed, N Mustoe
Corsham Town: Smith, Anderson, Ozuzu, Radway, Humphreys, Milne, Oppong, Ibrahim, Salawu, Staley, McInerney
Subs: Roddy, Brown, Morgan
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Kieran Alder (Tuffley Rovers)
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