TOP scorer Charlie Young returned to Penzance’s starting XI after injury, plundering a hat-trick as the holders stormed into the last eight of league cup with a hugely impressive performance at Broadclose.

Young, who replaced the unavailable Lewis Caspall, opened the scoring after only eight minutes and then scored twice in three minutes midway through the second half to complete his treble.

Eighteen-year-old substitute Hayden Waters added a fourth goal seven minutes from time.

Penzance now have a home quarter-final against Teignmouth on Saturday February 14.

In splendid seaside sunshine, Bude threatened first when a Finn Reeve free-kick was headed back at the far post, but the ball was cleared before Billy Hopcroft could pounce.

The visitors capitalised on the let-off, Young muscling his way in from the right flank before tucking a shot just inside Liam Hill’s near post.

The home side’s chances were hampered by the loss of Billy Hopcroft through injury shortly before the break. Nevertheless, they made a spirited start to the second half.

Teenager Aaron Hart, Hopcroft’s replacement, made a brilliant burst down the left, crossing for Mason Tape, whose powerful drive was repelled by the Penzance defence.

The visitors had their chances too. On the hour, Wade Brown found himself in on goal but was dispossessed by an impeccably timed James Wheeler tackle.

With Hill squinting into the setting sun and off his line, Charlie Willis attempted an audacious shot from the halfway line, but the execution did not match his vision.

The second goal was always likely to prove pivotal, and it went Penzance’s way in the 65th minute thanks to good old fashioned wing play.

Ewan Trevains took on the Bude defence and, from the goal-line, cut the ball back to Young who simply could not miss.

Shortly afterwards it was game over. Young attempted to thread the ball through to strike partner Brown but, when the pass was blocked back to him he went for goal himself, curling a beauty past Hill and just under the bar.

Harry Hopcroft had a free-kick well-saved by Harry Salmon as Bude tried to find a way back.

But they were further punished when Waters pounced on a defensive slip and hared through to chalk up his second goal for the first team.

Reflecting on the defeat, Bude boss Steve Hackett said: “I was really impressed with Penzance, particularly with the speed and movement of their passing and their build-up play. I don’t feel that a 4-0 scoreline reflects the match, but you can’t take it away from them, their finishing was clinical.

“We had a great chance to equalise when Mason had a big opportunity in front of goal and had that gone in, who knows what the outcome would have been as we were on top in that period.

“But as I’ve said before, Penzance are a great benchmark – the club in general can be admired and we wish them all the best for the season except when they come back to Broadclose next month.”

BUDE TOWN: Liam Hill, Jamie Gorst, James Wheeler, Ewan Reeves (capt), Finn Reeve; Archie Perrott, Harrison Swatton, Piran Friend, Harry Hopcroft, Billy Hopcroft, Dylan Morgan. Subs: Marshall Chapman, Aaron Hart, Oska Holmes, Liam Dart, Mason Tape.