By Kevin Marriott and David Sillifant

SWPL PREMIER WEST

Bude Town 0 Wendron United 3

WENDRON knocked Dobwalls off the top of the table on goal difference with a hard-working victory over Bude Town at Broadclose Park on Saturday.

Michael O’Neill’s side ooze quality and completely dominated the first half, with Brodie Kemp’s 26th minute header the least the visitors deserved.

But Bude were a different proposition after the break and it took until the 77th minute to get a second goal through Ryan Reeve which secured all three points.

Kristoff Muller, who seemed to spend half of the match taking corners, finally made one count 10 minutes from time when his curling cross towards the near post caught the wind, deceived Bude keeper Ty Rowe and ended in the back of the net to complete the scoring.

It was a significant victory for Wendron at a venue where Newquay, arriving as leaders two weeks before, were beaten 2-1.

Wendron have played three more games than Dobwalls, whose match at Callington was postponed, but they’re going to be in the top six all season on the evidence of Saturday’s performance.

Wendron set out their stall from the start and it took some excellent defending from Bude to keep the game goalless in the opening 20 minutes, when the home penalty area was continually packed for corners.

The opening goal, however, came from open play as a right wing cross picked out Kemp 12 yards out and he directed his header past Rowe into the net.

Bude struggled to get out of their own half in the first half but they came desperately close to equalising with the first attack after the break as Jake Woodland’s 25-yard shot came back off the bar.

Rocco Dyer, having much more of an impact wide on the left, then set off on a mazy run in the 53rd minute which ended with a low shot which beat keeper Zach Telling but flew just wide.

The second half developed into a more even contest but when Bude failed to find an equaliser, Wendron took advantage.

Reeve, who had been a constant threat with his pace, burst clear after a slip and curled his 20-yard shot into the net to double the visitors’ lead.

Muller’s wind-assisted goal from his corner ended any doubt about the destiny of the points as they made the long trip home very happy with their efforts.

Bude boss Steve Hackett admitted the Dron were worthy winners.

He said: “We were beaten by a better side and have no complaints about the scoreline on the balance of play.

“We were a little lethargic in the first half and maybe didn’t take enough risks but were braver in the second half and had a good go at them but just couldn’t get the ball in the net.

“If we could have nicked one early in the second half we might have managed to get something, but in searching for an equaliser we left ourselves a bit light at the back and we unfortunately gifted them two goals which is how football goes sometimes. I’d prefer to try and have a go at teams, especially at home.

“But we’ll dust ourselves off again and have a big game at home to Millbrook on Saturday, a fixture we need to get points from!”

BUDE TOWN: Ty Rowe; Lloyd Scaife (Steve Box 71), James Wheeler, Ewan Reeves (capt, Aled Thomas 71), Finley Haste; Harry Dymond, Harrison Swatton, Ruan Tape (Matt Hopper 64); Jake Woodland, George Harvey (Aaron Hart 58), Rocco Dyer.

Bude Town man of the match: Rocco Dyer.