By David Harrison at Broadclose Park

SWPL PREMIER WEST (WEDNESDAY)

Bude Town 6 Launceston 2

BUDE Town kept up their fine recent record against Launceston on Wednesday night as they put six past the Clarets.

Launceston manager Neil Price again struggled to field a first-choice squad and was missing seven starters including skipper Mike Steele and key midfielders James Close and Nick Salop, with several others forced to play in unfamiliar positions.

Bude gave a first start to attacker Joe Barker following his equaliser at Bude Town, while Fin Haste and James Wheeler came into the back four.

Centre-half James Wheeler (left) returned to the starting line-up, while Aled Thomas (right) is pictured in possession. Aled was later voted Bude's player of the month for October. Pictures: Chris Pointer
Centre-half James Wheeler (left) returned to the starting line-up, while Aled Thomas (right) is pictured in possession. Aled was later voted Bude's player of the month for October. Pictures: Chris Pointer (Chris Pointer)

In front of a healthy Broadclose Park crowd of 170, the early exchanges were evenly contested.

Bude hit the post inside the opening ten minutes but it came as no real surprise when Mark Elvidge put Launceston in front after 15 minutes.

The striker shot firmly from 20 yards and although Bude keeper Ty Rowe got a hand to the ball, he was unable to keep it out.

At this stage the visitors looked comfortable and were creating the better chances, but in the 27th minute Slade could only parry a shot from Rocco Dyer and recent recruit Tom Davey was on hand to poke home the loose ball.

Alfie Fothergill, back in the attack for Price’s side, shot narrowly wide while Andy Watkins headed just over from very close range.

The first half looked likely to finish all-square but, as the game entered added time, referee Wilcox pointed to the spot when Archie Wall inadvertently clipped the heels of the lively Dyer. It looked accidental but was a clear penalty, confidently fired home by Barker.

Whatever was said in the home dressing room certainly had a dramatic effect as within ten minutes of the restart they had settled the outcome.

First Barker rounded off a good right wing move by firing past Slade and into the roof of the net. Then, within a minute, Davey poked home a loose ball from no more than a yard out, with Slade powerless to intervene.

The Clarets had rather lost their shape by now and substitute, Maximus Alvarez-Lopera, punished them by scoring unquestionably the goal of the game, a tremendous low drive from 22 yards.

Price introduced Jaden Wood, Aaron Hughes and Ryan Dawe but that crazy ten-minute spell meant they were condemned to another heavy Broadclose Park defeat.

Nevertheless the goals continued to flow, on an enjoyable night for any neutral spectators.

Elvidge finished a good move down the right with a precise shot inside Rowe’s near post, but the last word went to Dyer who jinked in from the left and fired an accurate shot past Slade.

Launceston were a well-beaten side but continued to push forward whenever possible. Substitute Aaron Hughes hit the near post with a shot that was never going in but nevertheless appeared to take Rowe by surprise.

Launceston's attackers look to get on to a ball into the box. Picture: Chris Pointer
Launceston's attackers look to get on to a ball into the box. Picture: Chris Pointer (Chris Pointer)

Elvidge worked tirelessly for Launceston but this was another dispiriting evening for the Clarets who badly need to get missing players back and find a goalscoring spark.

Meanwhile Bude climbed to 11th place with this win, meaning that a satisfying top-half finish looks well within their grasp.

BUDE TOWN: Ty Rowe; Aled Thomas, Fin Haste, James Wheeler, Ewan Reeves (capt), Aaron White, Steve Box, Ruan Tape, Joe Barker, Tom Davey, Rocco Dyer. Subs: Harry Dymond, Maximus Alvarez-Lopera, Lloyd Scaife, Conor Jenkins, Matt Hopper.

LAUNCESTON: Lewis Slade; Jude Jago (capt), Jordan Stidson, Archie Wall, Lucas Preston, Sam Clifton, Jake Ham, Cameron Dymond, Mark Elvidge, Alfie Fothergill, Andy Watkins. Subs: Jaden Wood, Ryan Dawe, Dan Clifton, Aaron Hughes, George Plumb.

Men of the match: Bude Town – Joe Barker; Launceston – Mark Elvidge.