Saturday, January 19

Verde Recreo Hockey League

Southern Two

Isca C 3

BUDE were left frustrated as they threw away a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 at bottom of the table Isca C.

The home side fielded a much stronger side than usual with a number of current England veterans in their line-up, and their experience got them off to a great start as sustained pressure lead to a number of short corners from which they took the lead as the initial shot was saved it fell kindly to a well placed striker who calmly rounded goalkeeper Andy Davis to slot home.

Bude regrouped well and were level not long afterwards as great movement off the ball allowed plenty of space in the middle for Thomas Hall to go on a direct run beating a number of defenders on route to the circle where he fired low into the bottom corner.

The game then became a little scrappy with rash tackles from both sides and bickering towards the umpires’ decisions from Isca. But Bude remain composed to see the half out at 1-1.

The majority of the second-half continued in much the same vain, and as Isca continued their inquest into the decisions, they overstepped the mark one too many times which resulted in a yellow card and five-minute sin-bin for their centre forward.

Bude seized the opportunity and with the man advantage, a high press immediately turned over the ball and a quick pass to man-of-the-match Jon Elliot saw him one-on-one with the goalkeeper from where he beautifully stroked the ball home into the opposite corner.

Bude continued to press and create a number of good chances but Isca’s England goalkeeper showed all his qualities to keep his side in the game.

Bude’s superior fitness showed and they got their third goal as Kristof Saunders’ shot was good enough to beat the keeper only for it to hit the post, yet Matthew Horton was in the perfect position to pick the rebound up and from the narrowest of angles, his lifted ball beating the last ditch defending to hit the back of the net.

With only ten minutes to go Bude felt comfortable, but a goal against the run of play from a short corner changed the momentum and despite their best endeavours, the defence could not hold out to secure all three points as a further short corner late on was deflected twice by the home team as it was flicked towards goal, on another day either of these deflections would have sent it wide; however lady luck was not with them as the ball ended up in the goal.

Bude face high-flying Exeter University on Saturday at home.

Bude’s women were back in action for the first time since December 8 on Saturday and drew 2-2 at mid-table Tavistock in the South Division of the West Clubs Women’s Hockey League.

The visitors started the brighter and led through Di Old before Tavistock equalised.

Tammy Snowsill restored Bude’s advantage before the break but were pegged back in the second-half.

Bude have a tough task on Saturday when they welcome second-placed Exeter University, who have won all five of their away encounters this term.