Saturday, January 12

Verde Recreo Hockey League

Southern Two

OPM 2

CAPTAIN Henry Gwynn-Thomas’ pre-match team talk inspired Bude to a resounding victory in their first match since the Christmas break!

Gwynn-Thomas urged his players to focus on attack with real intensity and energy, which is exactly what they did from the start.

This new focus created plenty of clearcut chances in front of goal but it was not until midway through the first-half when the deadlock was finally broken as Thomas Hall put the ball confidently in the goal.

OPM had a number of half chances and short corners but the Bude defence worked tirelessly to support each other to make sure someone was always on hand to snuff out each and every shot.

A swift and deadly counter attack put Bude 2-0 up as Kristof Saunders rode a number of challenges down the right-wing to fire the ball towards the D where Noah Reeves instinctively swept the ball towards the back-post with one deft touch for man-of-the-match Cayden Gill, who had come charging up the left hand side with perfect timing and precision, to slot home the goal with a calmness and finesse beyond his years.

The home side started the second-half slowly and struggled to keep everyone marked and as OPM pushed forward they got their reward as a shot whistled past some last-ditch tackles and goalkeeper Andy Davis to make it 2-1. Bude regained control and composure very quickly by adapting their shape to make sure everyone was suitably marked from here on in; this in turn left more space upfront which was fully utilised by Jon Elliot who made numerous  tireless runs upfront to get the chances flowing again. His perseverance was duly rewarded as he was on hand to put Bude two goals ahead from where they never looked back as the ever influential and talismanic Saunders then went onto grab a brace of goals with the second being best described as a thunderous unstoppable rocket which nestled perfectly in the bottom corner.

After a lengthy stoppage for a nasty injury to the OPM forward, the Plymouth-based visitors grabbed a late consolation goal but the damage was well and truly done by then.

Bude, who are now third, will be looking to replicate this excellent all-round performance as they head off to Exeter University on Saturday to face Isca C (3pm).