WEST HOCKEY LEAGUE WOMEN’S TRELAWNEY DIVISION ONE

Bude 3 Caradon Thirds 2

BUDE rounded off their home campaign by edging past Caradon Thirds in a five-goal thriller in North Cornwall.

The Seasiders were looking for a win to give themselves a chance of finishing higher than eighth, but knew they would have their work cut out against their Liskeard-based opponents who eased to victory in the return fixture at Lux Park.

Bude started strong with first push back and worked the ball well around the team with an excellent drive down the pitch from right wing Mia Flynn, earning themselves a long corner.

Despite Caradon’s best defensive efforts, Bude’s striker and joint player-of-the-match Chloe Hall was able to capitalise early after a baseline run through the defence from Phoebe Gannon found a perfectly-placed Chloe at the far post.

Bude were met with a fierce counter attack from Caradon which required midfielders Hannah Maloney and Caroline Hockridge to step up and apply the pressure.

Caradon worked the ball quickly through the home midfield and into the D in lighting speed which took Bude’s defence of Willow Du Plessis, Naomi Hatcher, Eva Clarke and Emily Smart by surprise.

But they soon earned a corner which was capitalised on for 1-1.

Bude responded quickly as Evelyn Varcoe and Charlotte Prime combined down the left to earn a short corner.

From the resultant set-piece they attempted a left slip move, and within seconds Caradon were on the counter-back which was ended by a foul from Clarke that earned her a green card.

With Caradon now having an additional player for several minutes they were able to win a short corner.

With Clarke off the field, Phoebe Gannon stepped up to help defend the short corner, running one and deflecting the ball wide. Home stopper Jo Timmins then had to be at her best to keep the scores level.

From the 16, Hatcher and Smart switched the ball around the back, building space for Bude’s midfield to open up and create a pocket for Hockridge to take the ball and momentum.

She found joint player-of-the-match Maloney in midfield who drove into the D before finding Hall at the far post to slot home.

After a rousing team talk, the Seasiders started the second 35 well with EJ Biggadike’s work-rate being a key feature, while a fine run from Prime earned a short corner which ended with a shot going narrowly wide.

Caradon were dangerous in attack and Du Plessis needed to be at her best.

But after an unfortunate slip at the back, Caradon equalised with keeper Jo Timmins hapless with three players around her.

Bude countered with aggression, leaving a few Caradon players down with injuries as Caroline Hockridge received a green card for one of her tackles.

With momentum building and Flynn and EJ Biggadike working tirelessly down the right wing they eventually took the lead as Maloney took a pass before driving into the D and firing a shot into the net.

Mid-table Caradon responded and it needed left-back Smart to be at her best, particularly when Prime picked up Bude’s third green card of the afternoon.

Winger Varcoe helped relieve the tension with some fine defending and there was still time for the hosts to nearly add a fourth.

Phoebe Gannon intercepted a loose pass and after dribbling past several tackles, couldn’t find the net.

But it did not matter as Bude earned a useful three points which could help them move further up the table if they win their final clash at Camborne School of Mines on Saturday (11.45am).