Match Report: Wadebridge Town 0 v 1 Bude Town

A game where we were really short of our levels. Sometimes it just doesn’t happen.

I think you have to credit Bude who showed great desire, to go along with some decent football.  The better side won on the day for sure.

What is important now is how we react in the coming games.

We’ve been really good following setbacks this season so far, let’s hope that continues

WADEBRIDGE  (0)  0

BUDE TOWN  (1)  1      Bello 44’

ATT  107

After last nights shock result at Blazey, both teams went into this 2nd v 3rd clash knowing a win would take them above the current leaders to the top of the league.

The hosts started the brighter winning a couple of free kicks on the edge of the area with captain Tom Strike in the 8h minute and Matt Lloyd in the 14th both having their well struck efforts turned around the same post by visiting keeper Liam Hill.

Home keeper Rob Rosevear made a fine low save to his right from Billy Hopcroft in the 21st minute, and repeated the act on the half hour this time to his left.

Charlie Willis got in on the right but blasted a volley straight at Hill from 15 yards.

Bude forced a few corners that were dealt with well by the hosts before Jack Rapsey glided past a couple defenders down the right before clipping an inch perfect ball to the far post but the in form in front of goal Jacob Smale already on 7 goals for the season uncharacteristically volleyed over the bar from 5 yards.

As if to make the golden chance even worse Bude scored right on half time 3 minutes later with their next attack when Tornado Bello wriggled free on the right to shoot across Rosevear from 10 yards to end Robs fine record of not conceding a league goal for 594 minutes.

Bude started the 2nd half on the front foot and Bello miskicked in front of goal 8 yards out after a cross from the right from the impressive Josh Baxter overlapping all afternoon from right back. Fine last ditch blocks and clearances from Tom Harris and Cory Sargent in the home back line prevented further opportunities for the visitors.

A cross from the right on 65 minutes saw Hopcroft flick the ball wide of the far post. Wadebridge boss Paul Rowe utilised all his bench trying to spark his team into life but without the promptings of the injured Chris Reski the Bridgers failed to create a meaningful chance all 2nd half and didn’t have a shot on target to test Hill.

A great last ditch challenge from Tom McLachlan prevented Bello from adding to his tally before Morgan Vallejo did try a shot from just outside the area which curled wide of the target.

Muhammad Mahmoud headed wide when well placed from a corner and as Wadebridge threw players forward Bello broke to play in Ryan White but Rosevear from sharp off his line to block.

Budes time wasting tactics and constant moaning at the ref was nearly as annoying as several players dropping with fake cramp in the last 10 or 15 minutes but it did the trick for them of killing the game and taking away the 3 points from a game that never really lived up to the billing on the day in the swirling wind.

If I had to pick a man of the match today I would go for Budes Baxter, great defending to keep Smale fairly quiet and got forward to add to their attacks out wide whenever possible.

After the weekends results it certainly makes the league table interesting reading, you could probably throw a blanket over the top 6 with a third of the season played. Early favourites Blazey and Liskeard are not surprisingly up there, with surprise packages Bude and Mullion exceeding all expectations, along with Wendron and Wadebridge who both had a disappointing day but have already shown enough to suggest they’ll be right in the mix, add the likes of St.Austell and Newquay to that and who knows with Dane at Bodmin now, I think we’ve still got a pretty exciting season to look forward to in the South West Peninsula League West.

Good to see Steve and Smokey there watching, shame he picked today to watch the Bridgers!