Saturday, February 29

West Clubs Women’s Hockey League

South Division

White Eagles 1

GOALS from Ruby Bryant and Di Old gave Bude a fifth win from their last six games as they moved up to fourth in the table by beating White Eagles 2-1 at the Budehaven Sports Centre.

Going into the game Bude Ladies knew that points were critical for league places, with just a handful of points separating the bottom seven teams, and they started well, intercepting the ball and making strong tackles, but so did their Tiverton-based visitors, who themselves were looking to pull further clear of danger.

But Bude’s defence stayed strong with Eve Langman, Maddie Old and Robyn Pengilly marking tight and Lou Shepherd sweeping up and linking through to the midfield of Di Old, Charlotte Gist, Emily Shepherd, and Lucy Storry to release Cara Phillips up the wing to send the ball across the D, for Bryant’s shot to be saved by the Eagles goalkeeper.

Bude kept up the pressure with numerous shots, crosses and eventually got their rewards. After a goalmouth scramble, Bryant composed herself to control the ball and fire it into the back of the net.

Both sides continued to attack whenever possible with substitutes Anna Elliot and Tammy Snowsill making a big impact when they came on. This pressure resulted in Erin Slade winning a short corner. Following two short corners, seeing Snowsill come close, Philips crossed for Di Old to pounce and push the ball under the flaying ‘keeper.

With only a couple of minutes left of the first-half, White Eagles made some lovely passes up the pitch and found themselves in our D they took the opportunity to strike on goal with Amy Gear making the saves. 

The second-half saw Bude more composed and using the width to get past the opposition. Bude worked hard throughout the midfield and tackling well to keep the door shut.

With a number of attacking links, seeing Slade, Phillips, Storry and Bryant all coming close to scoring.

Knowing they needed to score twice for a point, the visitors continued to press when possible, and after some pressure and some fine saves from Gear, she was eventually beaten although the hosts felt it came off an arm.

Both sides continued to go for it with White Eagles getting increasingly frustrated, resulting in some strong challenges which led to a yellow card.

However Bude kept their discipline to move up to fourth ahead of Saturday’s difficult trip to the Lux Park Leisure Centre in Liskeard to tackle promotion-chasing Caradon (3pm).