By Andy Davis

WEST HOCKEY LEAGUE MEN’S PIRAN DIVISION ONE

Bude 4 Plymouth Lions Thirds 0

THE Seasiders continued their good run of form as they comfortably swept aside struggling Plymouth Lions 4-0 at the Budehaven Sports Centre on Saturday.

Bude got off to a strong start against the Devonians as they executed their game plan with ruthless efficiency during the first 15 minutes; winning the ball in the key middle third but then moving the ball patiently and effectively as a team to build into the final goal third without rushing things was the recipe to success.

With just eight minutes gone Bude capitalised from a penalty corner with a slick routine that saw Zack Davis deflect the ball high into the netting past a stranded keeper.

Plymouth responded well and gained a penalty corner of their own, but Bude’s strong defence ushered the ball safely out of play and with a super quick restart from Ryan Chalkey straight to striker Charlie Falla, Bude had gone from one end of the pitch to the other in literally seconds.

Utilising the skills practiced in training, Falla used a neat change of pace to beat his defender and once at the baseline he pulled the ball back across the goal to Matthew Horton who calmly slotted the ball into the corner from the penalty spot.

The Seasiders then had a slight wobble as a number of rolling substitutions entered the fray a little too eagerly which really disrupted Bude’s flow and momentum.

This was further compounded by a number of rushed passes and unforced errors, but despite this temporary dip in form they limited the Lions to very few half chances on goal and the stout defence managed to hang in there and grind it out until half-time with the lead intact.

A sharp reset on the importance of playing as a team and looking after the ball when in possession was the sole theme of the break, and credit to the team as they came out and stuck to the request much more consistently in the second half which really pleased coach Andy Davis.

Due to them controlling the rest of the game, Bude created a steady procession of chances from all angles on the visitors; goal; the early chances did not go in but they remained resolute until the win was virtually sealed in the 55th minute as a strong drive through the middle from Thomas Hall saw him evade a number of tackles. Then, once on the edge of the D, he fired a low reverse stick strike into the far corner to extend the lead and diminish what little hope the Lions had.

The icing on the cake came in the final quarter as man of the match youngster Marc Leverton, on just his third senior performance, capped a fine all-round game with a goal as he popped up unmarked on the back post to sweep home a pinpoint cross from Hall to complete a comprehensive victory as Bude continue to grow and develop nicely as a squad.

Next up is a potentially tricky away trip to Truro fourth team on Saturday.

Being part of a larger club gives them more flexibility to rotate players from each squad so depending which team they field will dictate how stern a test Bude may face.

But if Bude continue to do the right things like they did on Saturday then they are confident of heading back up the A39 with three more points in their quest for promotion to Division Two South.