Bude Town 1 Dobwalls 3
A tough afternoon at the Broadclose in front of a crowd of over 150 as we suffered defeat in our first league game of the season.
We started slowly and conceded from a corner (which we could have avoided from giving away) and the Dobwalls towering central defender nodded the ball in after 4 minutes. Dobwalls doubled their lead with another defensive mix up and we really needed to dig in and show some character in getting back into the game which we pleasingly did. The Bude lads worked themselves hard, hassled and starting pressing higher and playing nice football, we deservedly got a goal back with some neat wing play and cross prodded over the line by debutant Archie Perrot. Right before half-time we had two opportunities to equalise when Harrison Swattons shot from distance nearly found the far corner of the net, and Rocco Dyer headed over from a Steve Box free-kick.
Into the second half we started brightly and had some half chances to score, but Dobwalls were clinical in an attack and grabbed a 3rd goal. On a hot, energy sapping afternoon in Bude, we couldn't find a way back and the game ended 1-3.
A special mention to the boys who gave everything today, they worked so hard and the majority of this side have only now entered into 'senior' football from playing 4 leagues lower last season, they did the club proud. Maximus Alvarez-Lopera, Finn Reeve, Ewan Reeves and Archie Perrot were our standout performers this afternoon and we are looking forward to seeing how this team evolves and grows together as time progresses.
Thanks to Bude FC Youth who came along today as mascots - you were all brilliant and thanks to Dobwalls who left the changing room immaculate.
Lets go again!
Wadebridge 2 Bude Town 0
Bude were defeated in their first away league match this afternoon at Bodieve Park, Wadebridge.
The first 25 minutes of the match was quite cagey with Wadebridge having most of the possession and trying to find a way through the Bude midfield and defence on a surprisingly heavy pitch, with cut grass on the surface slowing play down drastically. We kept them at arms reach and no chances of note were really being created until a cross from the left wing, which should have been closed down quicker, was nodded in by their striker from close range. Wadebridge doubled their lead when a shot was parried into the path of their forward who finished neatly.
Bude did have some opportunities in the first half where Mason Tape hit a drive from long distance which their keeper beat out at full stretch and striker Jago Tweitman homing in on goal only for the long grass to slow him and the ball down enough that he couldn't get a decent shot off to reduce the arrears.
The message at half-time was clear - we had to dust ourselves off and try and have a go at our opposition.
Within a minute of the second half, Ewan Reeves' goal-bound effort hit a Bude player on the way through stopping it from going in and moments later Mason Tape found himself in some space on the left, cut inside and his shot was superbly saved once again with Jago Tweitman narrowing missing from the rebound.
Further efforts on goal from Harrison Swatton and Steve Box were hit wide and at the other end, Wadebridge had an effort cleared off the line and Ty Rowe in the Bude goal made some good saves and the game ended 2-0.
Lots of positives to take away from this match - this new team is still learning and trying to adapt together in the SWPL, and they have character and fight. Same as last week, in large spells, we matched our opposition who are one of the league favourites and it was pleasing to see two 16 year old lads Albie Newton and Billy Finch coming off the bench and adding their value.
A big shout-out to new signings Joe Reeve and Finley Haste who had a great games in the heart of our defence and Ewan Reeves who was voted as our player of the match.
Truro City Reserves 2 Bude Town 1
A gutting afternoon at Truro for the lads as we went a goal ahead before losing in the 6th minute of added time at the death.
Bude started brightly and on the 10 minute mark, Maximus Alvarez-Lopera showed some amazing skill on the wing to whip in a cross that forward Rocco Dyer latched onto hitting the left hand post. Rocco then had a speculative effort from distance which narrowly went over the bar and a further chance as Steve Box played him in for a one on one with the keeper who dived down and saved. Rocco was a threat all half and he did then get on the scoresheet as the Truro keeper tried to clear his lines and it hit our man and ended up in the top left corner to make it 1-0.
We carried on the pressure and Rocco could have doubled our lead, however his shot was neatly saved at the near post and then a great Steve Box corner flashed across the goal line eluding several Bude players to get anything on it and tap home.
A minute before half-time Truro equalised when a ball from midfield was switched to their pacey right-winger who cut inside and finished cooly into the far post.
Into the second half - we had the ball in the net again but the referee was extremely quick to halt play when in the build-up a Truro player was hit in the face by the ball and the rebound was struck home 2 seconds later. On the 60 minute mark, some really neat football down the left wing between Finn Reeve, Harrison Swatton and Maximus ended with a cross which George Harvey met but he couldn't find the finish from 3 yards as the keeper stifled it.
We then found ourselves under quite a bit of pressure as we had to defend a series of dangerous corners, and in the 6th minute of injury time, another corner came in which fell to their player outside the box - his shot looked off target but it deflected into the back of our net.
We cannot fault the players workrate, energy and fight today - on another day we could have been 3-0 up at half-time but football can be so cruel sometimes, and we leave without any points which we really deserved. These boys have to stick together, build character and dust themselves off again - we are getting stronger but it will take some time to adjust - no need to be pushing the panic button just yet as these lads are part of a new team plying their trade in the SWPL.
Sticker 2 Bude Town 3
YESSSSSS!! Finally the lads get what they deserved after a really entertaining match this afternoon at Burngullow Park.
Bude playing against the wind in the first half, went behind in the 4th minute when the Sticker forward hit a speculative effort from range which keeper Ty Rowe tipped onto the left-hand post but the rebound fell to their oncoming striker to finish into the empty net. The lads grew into the game we equalised in the 25th minute when a cracking in-swinging Steve Box corner was met by club captain Ewan Reeves to force home from close range.
Bude took the lead just before halftime when we defended a corner, Steve Box pounced on the loose ball and played a beautiful ball over the top of the Sticker defence to Rocco Dyer who raced away, beat his man, neatly cut inside and smashed the ball into the net.
Into the second half, we could have been 3-1 up after some great wing play from Rocco and Archie Perrott found Gary Clarke, but his effort was saved at point blank range. Sticker made it 2-2 when a corner was swung in and not dealt with and their player bundled the ball over the line.
Then the moment of the match - as the clock ticked down and a draw looked likely, Steve Box found himself with a bit of space at the edge of the area and he drilled a sweet strike into the top left hand corner, giving their keeper no chance. There was one more scare in the match at the very death where Sticker had the ball in our net, but it was ruled out for a foul on keeper Ty Rowe. We saw the game out and came away with the 3 points.
A fantastic squad effort today, every player can be incredibly proud with how they dug in deep and gave everything. Thank you so much to everyone who came to support the lads - it means so much to have you there.
Man of the Match - Rocco Dyer - he was a menace all afternoon with his speed and acceleration - taking his men on, getting his crosses in and getting on the scoresheet. Rocco is sponsored by Ellie & Paul Dyer & SP Contracts.