A winning streak of 3 games on the trot for the Bude ladies as they beat a determined Pen Mill side 4 -2 on Sunday 20th Jan. The Seasiders faced them earlier in the season losing 4-0 as they struggled with a lack of available players, injuries and the distance. However, the home side were ready to give a good battle and put in the effort in this fixture.
From kick off, the game was relatively equal with both sides trying to set the pace of the game early on. Bude had some good movement both on and off the ball culminating in a goal for the home side after 10 minutes. Lisa Cornish took a free kick from her own half, looping the ball over the Pen Mill defence, landing directly to the feet of winger Lou Page who calmly slotted it between the keeper and the post. Play continued with both sides making solid tackles, trying to dominate their opponents and the game. Pen Mill broke free from a ball sent over the top of the Bude defence for their striker to run onto and kick over keeper Jo Timmins. A lack of concentration from the home side left the team disjointed and Pen Mill utilised this, scoring a second goal to leave the score 2 - 1 at half time to the away team.
After a rousing half-time team talk, Bude came out for the 2nd half raring to put in the work to bring the game back. Both teams continued to rally, hoping to find a break in play to capitalise on but the Bude team remained strong in their back line, stopping any significant chances. The away team keeper, having been involved in a collision, despite her determination to play on, had to leave the pitch due to her injury. With 20 minutes left to go, it looked like the away side were to take the game as neither teams were really getting any chances on goal but it was Charlie Lang who, with some determination and grit, scored 3 goals in quick succession to put an elated Bude side 4 -2 ahead. The away team keeper, having been involved in a collision earlier in the game, had to leave the pitch due to her injury. With minutes left to go, Pen Mill tried to claw the game back into their favour but Bude stood strong and claimed the game as the final whistle blew, 4 -2 to the Seasiders.
9 points after 3 wins for the Bude ladies leaves them sitting 6th in the league, hoping to continue their winning ways for the latter part of the season.