Saturday, February 8

Verde Recreo Hockey League

Southern Two

Plymouth Marjon C 2

HENRY Gwynn-Thomas, Jared Slade and David Woodward all scored twice as Bude moved out of the relegation zone on goal difference with an 8-2 thrashing of strugglers Plymouth Marjon C at the Budehaven Sports Centre.

The game started with Bude creating the better chances but some good saves by the visiting keeper saw the scores remain level until midway through the half when a free hit was taken quickly and passed directly into the D where Henry Gwynn-Thomas drifted on the ball and deflected into the bottom corner with a deft touch.

Marjon levelled almost immediately as they attacked hard through the middle and earned a short corner which was fired low and straight into the middle of goal evading the defence’s best efforts.

Bude remained composed having had the better of the play and possession, making numerous attacks on the Marjon goal, but as shot after shot came and went they frustratingly could not find the net.

Bude reflected at half-time and agreed that a focus on re-creating the flowing hockey that had brought them great success over the previous weeks would be the best way forward and they slowly began to implement this in their play and were soon rewarded as David Woodward finished off a slick passing team goal.

The game really opened up when Marjon were reduced to ten men with a temporary two minute suspension, yet this was increased for dissent as the player refused to abide by the rules when leaving the pitch.

Bude’s superior fitness and healthy 15-man squad obliterated the visiting team during this one-man advantage, using their simple hockey to devastating effects with goals coming in quick succession from Kristof Saunders, Ryan Chalkley, Jared Slade and Woodward grabbing his second to gain an unassailable 6-1 lead.

Once the Marjon player was allowed to return following his suspension, the gaps and spaces closed up a little but Bude were determined to keep going on a mission to reduce their goal difference ratio as it could prove vital in the fight for survival.

The charge was led by man-of-the-match Slade, who has been in a sparkling run of form over the last couple of weeks, and this week was no difference as his decision making and runs off the ball were impeccable; leading to him creating multiple openings for himself and the team. This was epitomised by his second goal where he never gave up battling for a ball that had just seen his best chance saved during a one-on-one with the keeper, but his sheer persistence and pressure caused a mix up between goalkeeper and defender in the follow up clearance that saw him poach the ball and tap into an empty net.

Bude continued to push forward and a momentary lack in concentration at the back gave Marjon a two-on-one breakaway attack which they neatly converted.

Yet Bude had the last say as Gywnn-Thomas finished the game how he started, getting his second and Bude’s eighth to complete the rout of their rivals.

Team spokesperson, Andy Davis, said: “Tougher challenges await us over the next few games as we face teams in the top half of the table, starting away to arch-rivals Penzance on Saturday. But we know performances like this will yield results against any team as we continue our quest for vital points and league survival.”