By David Sillifant

SWPL PREMIER WEST

Millbrook 4 Bude Town 0

BUDE Town’s huge week started badly on Saturday as they were comfortably beaten 4-0 at strugglers Millbrook.

The Seasiders made the long trip down to Jenkins Park requiring a couple of more wins to maintain their mid-table position, but were far from full strength due to injury, suspension and unavailability.

Millbrook, who went into the day with just five games left to avoid the potential of back-to-back relegations, brought in Saltash United duo Kieran O’Melia and Rikki Shepherd for the afternoon.

They both started with O’Melia claiming two assists, and Shepherd two late on in a deserved home win.

Early on Bude saw Maximus Alvarez-Lopera shoot over, while the recalled Jago Tweitman had an effort blocked.

But they were undone on the half-hour as O’Melia’s superb free-kick in from the angle in was flicked home by centre-half Abs Camara-Balde.

Just before the break matters got worse for Bude as O’Melia ran at the defence and went to ground under a challenge from Harrison Swatton. Although the contact was minimal, the referee pointed to the spot and Lee Robinson made no mistake.

Bude went more direct in the second half without much success, and were caught out in the final ten minutes by two fine finishes from Shepherd with O’Melia and sub Ronnie Reynolds claiming the assists.

Reflecting on the afternoon, Bude boss Steve Hackett admitted they were second best.

He said: “It wasn’t a good performance from us, too many players not at the races and we were severely punished for our mistakes by Millbrook.

“We have a lot of work to do on our game and mentality if we want to get some more points on the board before the season’s end, hopefully starting with the reverse fixture this weekend.”

And while Bude’s home clash with Millbrook (1.30pm) awaits, they have the small matter of a Torridge Cup semi-final with neighbours Holsworthy on Thursday night at Torrington (7.30pm).

They have yet to meet this term following two postponements at Holsworthy in the league, but it adds to the intrigue as they are set to face off three times within 22 days.

They are due to meet at Holsworthy on Friday, April 11 (7.30pm) before the final game of the season on Good Friday at Broadclose Park (11am).

Holsworthy, who have put together a run of five successive clean sheets which has seen them pick up 11 points from a possible 15 to move into mid-table, will start the tie as slight favourites as they look to regain the Cup they last won three seasons ago.

They have been beaten by Appledore and Torrington in the last two finals and will hope to make it third time lucky.

Holsworthy also have six league games remaining this term and are just four points behind seventh-placed Wadebridge Town. They are back in league action on Saturday when they welcome Camelford to Trefrew Park (3pm).

The Camels have put together a run of three straight victories themselves and sit 10 points clear of bottom side Launceston.

BUDE TOWN: Ty Rowe (capt); Fin Haste, Harrison Swatton, Finn Reeve, James Wheeler, Archie Perrott; Jake Woodland, Ryan Vanstone, Aaron White; Jago Twietman, Maximus Alvarez-Lopera. Subs: Connor Jenkins, Aaron Hart, Aled Thomas, Owen Lloyd, Steve Box.

Bude Town man-of-the-match: Finn Reeve.