SWPL PREMIER WEST (SATURDAY)

Sticker 2 Bude Town 3

STEVE Box’s superb late strike gave Bude Town their first victory of the season with a 3-2 success at Sticker.

Bude were without five players from the side beaten 2-1 at Truro with Joe and Finn Reeve both on holiday, while George Harvey (wedding), Lloyd Scaife and Maximus Alvarez-Lopera were also unavailable.

The hosts had the wind in their favour and scored four minutes in when Ty Rowe tipped an effort onto the post but it rebounded to Tom Guest for an easy finish.

Bude equalised when Steve Box’s corner was met by Ewan Reeves who forced it home from close range. 

It was 2-1 when, following a Sticker corner, the ball broke loose to Box who controlled and played a lofted pass to Rocco Dyer who accelerated clear, cut inside and smashed home. 

Guest levelled soon after the restart from a corner and the rest of the half was bitty with a series of yellow cards.

But just as it looked like a draw, Box hit a 25-yard shot into the top corner. 

Right at the death, Sticker had a goal disallowed when Rowe was impeded in the six-yard box.

Reflecting on the game, Steve Hackett said: “After not getting what we deserved at Truro and losing in injury time, it was emphatic to win in injury time this week when the lads dug in so deep, gave everything in the tank and we finally got our rewards. I am so proud of the attitude of these lads and we’ll make sure we enjoy these moments.”

BUDE TOWN: Ty Rowe, Aled Thomas, Ewan Reeves (c) James Wheeler, Archie Perrott; Steve Box, Harrison Swatton, Ruan Tape, Gary Clarke, Mason Tape, Rocco Dyer. Subs: Aaron Hart, Louie Steege, Sam Hampson, Liam Dart, Ryan Leverton.

Bude Town man of the match: Rocco Dyer.