SWPL PREMIER WEST (FRIDAY)

Camelford 1 Bude Town 1

JOE Barker’s second half rocket ensured that Bude Town headed back up the A39 with a point from the first of this season’s Atlantic Highway derbies.

The former Holsworthy and Ilfracombe Town frontman smashed a 25-yard drive into the top corner five minutes after the break to cancel out Olly Taylor’s first half goal in an opening 45 which the hosts dominated.

But after the restart, the Seasiders were much improved and felt they did enough to win it.

Camelford went into the game off the back of a morale-boosting 4-0 success over Launceston on Tuesday night, while Bude travelled looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat at home to Penzance six days earlier.

Camelford dominated much of the first half as Bude struggled to get a foothold, particularly in midfield, and took the lead 22 minutes in.

A visiting player tried to pass the ball back to goalkeeper Ty Rowe, but Sam Watts intercepted and rolled the ball across the six-yard box where Taylor bundled the ball in under pressure.

The Camels had plenty of corners and set pieces and Mark Gusterson was denied by Rowe after being set up by the impressive Kenley Dyson, but the lead was just 1-0 at the break.

Bude sent on new signing Barker at half-time for the injured Harry Dymond and went to a 4-3-3 to match the hosts.

And after Rocco Dyer was denied at the near post by Colwill, Barker’s fantastic drive, which went like a missile into the top left-hand corner, restored parity.

Bude had the wind in their favour and were camped in the home half for long periods, but only had a couple of superb balls in which weren’t met to really show for their efforts.

Bude's man of the match Tom Davey breaks with the impressive Ruan Tape looking to make a run. Camelford's Ross Beare is on the cover with captain Sam Wade in the background. Picture: Chris Pointer
Bude's man of the match Tom Davey breaks with the impressive Ruan Tape looking to make a run. Camelford's Ross Beare is on the cover with captain Sam Wade in the background. Picture: Chris Pointer (Chris Pointer)

Home sub Josh Caddy was denied by Rowe after being sent clear and the energetic Kenan Nicholas couldn’t capitalise from promising positions, but despite both sides’ best efforts, they had to settle for a point apiece.

Camelford boss Reg Hambly felt his side could have won it, but acknowledged the visitors would also feel a victory was in their grasp.

He told the Post: “We were obviously disappointed to drop home points but we had two big derby games in three days and four points is not a bad return.

“I thought we looked very sharp in the Launceston game and once Gus (Mark Gusterson) made it 2-0 just after half-time the result was never really in doubt.

“Bude was a closely-fought game and although we didn’t play as well as Tuesday, I thought we probably created enough to edge it, but then again Bude will probably think the same!

“But with both games obviously being six-pointers, it was pleasing to pick up points from both.”

Hambly also praised his back line and the form of Gusterson and a couple of youngsters.

He said: “Our defence looked solid in both games and the only goal we conceded was a cracking strike from distance.

“Gus’ hat-trick against Launceston was superb and I was delighted with both Kenley Dyson and Kenan Nicholas in each game.”

CAMELFORD: Josh Colwill; Josh Smith, Sam Wade (capt), Adam Sleep, Bailee Deignan; Kenley Dyson, Ross Beare, Sam Watts; Olly Taylor, Mark Gusterson, Kenan Nicholas. Subs: Ryelee Deignan (gk), Shane Looker, Andy Boxall, Josh Caddy, Dan Hocking.

BUDE TOWN: Ty Rowe; Jake Woodland, Lloyd Scaife, Ewan Reeves (capt), Aled Thomas; Steve Box, Harry Dymond, Ruan Tape, Maximus Alvarez-Lopez; Tom Davey, Rocco Dyer. Subs: Connor Jenkins, Joe Barker, Aaron White, Mason Tape, Liam Dart.

Men of the match: Camelford – Adam Sleep; Bude Town – Tom Davey.