Saturday, November 9

Verde Recreo Hockey League

Southern Two

Isca C 2

RYAN Chalkey’s first ever senior goal wasn’t enough as Bude’s difficult early season form continued in Exeter.

The visitors travelled with a stronger team than in recent weeks but were undone in the first few minutes as a foot in the D led to a short corner which was converted at the back post.

A bobbly pitch meant Bude struggled to put consecutive passes together and ended up surrendering possession too easily which allowed Isca to apply pressure in Bude’s half. It was from this pressure and a turnover that Isca capitalised as a shot was only parried by the Bude keeper Andy Davis which then kindly dropped to an unmarked striker who squeezed the ball home at close range from a tight angle.

Bude made some tactical changes most notably with Kristof Saunders dropping into midfield and Thomas Hall going up front and this allowed Bude to get a foothold in the game as Saunders’ relentless terrier-like attitude provided the crucial link between defence to attack and Hall’s direct running towards goal caused Isca’s defence a different challenge.

Bude pulled a goal back as Saunders released Hall who went on a dogged run all the way through the defence and drawing the keeper off his line to then put an excellent cross across goal that found the young and impressive Chalkey, who calmly stroked home despite the onrushing defenders.

The second-half saw a concerted team effort by Bude as they pushed on looking for the equaliser, Saunders came within a whisker of the goal from a short corner and numerous other chances come and went but a number of umpiring decisions went against Bude as the half wore which really hampered their momentum.

This allowed Isca to create a number of good counter attacks but man-of-the-match Andy Davis was on hand to deny them at every opportunity, unfortunately the Cornishmen ran out of time to get anything out of a game in which they throughly deserved a share off the points.

Bude’s tough start to the season will get even harder as they entertain high-flying Taunton on Saturday, but they can take a lot of heart and confidence from this performance.