Helston Athletic face their nearest rivals in the Toolstation Western League on Wednesday night as Mousehole make the short journey to Kellaway Park. 

The two sides have met twice this season, once in August when Mousehole won 3-1 in the FA Cup, but more recently in February when Helston won 4-1 on penalties to progress to the second round of the Les Phillips Cup after the game had finished 0-0 after 90 minutes.

This is the first time the teams have met in the league this season, this game was due to be played on Boxing Day but on Christmas Eve the game was postponed due to Covid-19 cases in the Mousehole playing squad. 

Previewing the hotly anticipated fixture, Helston Athletic Manager Steve Massey said: "I hope that there is going to be a good game. Clearly, we are two top sides in the Western League this year. 

"We(Helston) have more than held our own, we have had a bit of luck. Except for a shocking January by our standards where we didn't pick a point up, we would be right up there with Exmouth, Tavistock and Mousehole who are challenging for the promotion. 

"We have probably left it a little too late now (for promotion), but I am hoping there is going to be a real good crowd and that the football public in the west of the county come along because there are two very good sides with differing styles. 

"If there is a game of football to be won a certain way then we will do it, I particularly like big, powerful and strong footballers and that's what I am getting in my side now particularly in the back three/back five. The back are looking big and strong and we are looking like a team that should be at the top end of the table after our little blip in January."

Helston are currently five games unbeaten in all competitions and that includes a 3-0 win over league leaders Tavistock in the Les Phillips Cup.

Athletic have conceded once in that time, and have had their defensive numbers bolstered by the acquisition of Aaron Bentley from Plymouth Parkway.

The Blues beat Street 2-0 in their last outing and will be looking to continue their impressive run of form. "We were all very much fired up." Massey continued. "Mousehole might think they have missed a trick (not playing Helston in December) because it was during the period where we were in our bad blip.

"But now I think we have come back into form and I am really excited about the game to see where we are.

"All the lads are right up for it, even before Saturday's game, then straight after it was 'let's take this into Wednesday now'. We are very much fired up for it and I very much hope the footballing public come along and have a look."

Steve Massey added that Josh Storey could miss the rest of the season after picking up a foot injury in their win on the weekend. Athletic will be boosted by the return of Kai Cornish. The young winger is available for the rest of the season after coming back from university. 

Mousehole have been on an impressive run of form themselves losing once in their last five outings, that a 3-0 defeat to fellow high flyers Exmouth Town. They played Exmouth for the second time in March in their last outing as the points were shared in a 0-0 stalemate at Trungle Parc on the weekend.

Helston realistically need to win to keep their faint promotion hopes alive, three points will see them rise to sixth in the table after they were leapfrogged by Shepton Mallet who won 3-0 on Tuesday night against Bitton. A win for the Mousehole who are currently third in the table will see them escalate to second in the table and trail leaders Tavistock by just three points.

Form guide (last five games):
Helston Athletic: DWWDW 
Mousehole AFC: WLWWD

League record this season:
Helston Athletic: P30 W14 D10 L6 PTS 52 - Seventh in the league
Mousehole AFC: P29 W19 D4 L6 PTS 61 - Third in the league

The match:
Kick-off at Kellaway Park (TR13 8PJ) is at 7:45 pm. Tickets are £5 for adults, £3 for concessions, £1 for under 18s, and under 16's go free with an accompanying adult. 

The bar is open throughout the evening and Helston Blues Kitchen will be providing hot food and drinks too.