By Andy Davis

WEST HOCKEY LEAGUE MEN’S PIRAN DIVISION ONE

Bude 8 Devonport Services Seconds 1

BUDE kicked off their first home game of this season with a much-improved performance against newly-promoted Devonport Services Seconds.

The game started positively for Bude with a goal within the first two minutes as Henry Walker took his first chance very well as he calmly rounded the keeper and slotted home.

Within five minutes Henry had doubled his tally and the lead with a well-worked team goal that ended with him one on one with the keeper as he came out top again with a confident and instinctive low strike.

Bude then dominated possession and territory for a prolonged period as they convincingly took control of the game, carving out some promising attacks from all directions but they were unable to further extend the lead.

Instead, a couple of poor passes at the back gave Devonport the tiniest glimmer of hope but this was soon distinguished when the only time they really managed to threaten Bude’s D in the whole of the first half saw the home defence kick in to scramble the ball away and give themselves time to reset.

Bude remained focused and patient which led to them continuing to dominate the game in every department, resulting in more good chances coming their way.

But it was not until the latter stages of the first half when Charles Walker swiftly killed any hopes the visitors had of making a comeback as he cooly converted a penalty flick into the bottom left corner.

This was followed up with arguably the best goal of the game as the team strung together countless excellent pinpoint passes across the whole pitch that ended with Kristof Saunders’ sublime pass to Charles who made no mistake from mid-range to make it 4-0 at the half time break.

A composed review at half-time saw the coaches simply ask the team not to fall into bad habits and make the same mistakes as last week’s poor second half performance.

This was clearly well understood and executed expertly which shows the team\s united desire to push on and improve themselves and the team to take their game to the next level.

They continued to dominate for the majority of game which neatly resulted in a steady succession of goals. Firstly was Charles Walker who completed back-to-back hat-tricks with a drag flick from the edge of the D, followed by a well-deserved brace from Charlie Falla as he popped up at the right time to slot home from close range at the back post and secondly with a neat reverse stick finish past the keeper.

Devonport got a consolation goal from nowhere as a strong drive down the wing to the base line was hopefully and powerfully struck towards the goal, the ball somehow managed to evade both the keeper and covering defender and kindly roll along the goalmouth to the other winger who gratefully tapped in from just a yard out.

Normal service was quickly restored as Bude continued to dictate the tempo and play, creating a good number of chances.

It was man of the match Saul Barraclough who put the icing on the cake as he capped a fine industrious and disciplined performance up front by sweeping the ball into the goal at the back post to get a goal that his performance deserved.

Bude will look to continue the winning streak and more importantly the consistency in performances on Saturday as they head down to Redruth to face a winless Duchy second team.