SWPL PREMIER WEST (SATURDAY)

Bude Town 0 St Day 1

THE Seasiders were left with a case of winter blues after St Day produced a classic smash and grab victory at Broadclose Park on Saturday.

Bude, who saw their huge Cornwall Senior Cup quarter-final with Southern League Division One South side Falmouth Town postponed in the week, were looking to build on their 4-2 victory over Bodmin a week earlier, while their opponents arrived having not played since a Boxing Day draw at Penzance.

The first half was a close affair, nothing between the two sides - St Day reduced to having a couple of efforts from distance which was dealt with easily by Ty Rowe in the Bude goal.

Bude got around the back of their defence on a couple of occasions but either the end product was wayward or there wasn't anybody in the box being in the right place for what would have been a simple tap-in.

However, Bude were far from their best as St Day comfortably got through to half-time unscathed.

The second half was much more like it from a home perspective.

They pressed better, had renewed energy, drove forward in numbers and got themselves into brilliant positions behind the St Day defence but unable to get a good shot off and twice the ball flashing across the box with no Bude player on the end to have the easy finish.

Bude had big appeals for a penalty waved away by the referee after teenager Jake Woodland went down in the box, before sub Maximus Alvarez-Lopera entered the scene and weaved through the St Day defence and hit a beautiful shot destined for the top right-hand corner which was superbly saved by former Mullion keeper Harry Salmon.

With seven minutes of normal time remaining, St Day had a rare attack and broke through our ranks and Josh Margetts hit a curler from 20 yards which looped over Rowe and into the net.

The quintet of Connor Jenkins, Ryan Vanstone, Jago Tweitman, Maximus Alvarez-Lopera and Mason Tape were all introduced in a quest to find an equaliser, but the Yellows held on for a fabulous victory on their travels.

Bude are back in action this Wednesday night when Falmouth arrive for the rescheduled Cornwall Senior Cup quarter-final (7.45pm).

Reflecting on the afternoon, Bude boss Steve Hackett said: “This was a bitter result for us today, it was pleasing to see the lads raise their game after the first half performance but absolutely gutting to end up without any points after a brilliant second half performance. We at least deserved a point!

“It is important that we learn lessons and take our chances when they arrive as teams in this league can have a horrible tendency to punish you. This squad is talented, still developing and gaining vital experience – we will get there.

“But the bright note was that we had four under 18s in the squad, and once again we had a big Broadclose crowd (114) who came along. We massively appreciate your amazing support as always.”

BUDE TOWN: Ty Rowe, Lloyd Scaife, Ewan Reeves (capt), James Wheeler, Fin Haste; Aled Thomas, Harrison Swatton, Jake Woodland; Callum Deemer, Aaron Hart, Rocco Dyer. Subs: Connor Jenkins, Ryan Vanstone, Jago Tweitman, Maximus Alvarez-Lopera, Mason Tape.

Bude Town man of the match: Ewan Reeves.