Nine points in a week for in-form Bude as they ease to victory at Wadebridge Town

BUDE Town’s excellent form continued on Saturday as they cruised to a 4-1 success at North Cornwall rivals Wadebridge Town.

The Seasiders eased past Bude Town and Dobwalls without conceding in the previous few days, and a dominant first half performance at Bodieve Park ensured a comfortable afternoon’s work.

Bude lost influential centre-half Harry Hopcroft in the warm-up, but it failed to keep them down for long as they led after four minutes.

Fin Haste’s cross from left-back wasn’t dealt with by a home defender, allowing striker Dylan Morgan to scoop the ball over his shoulder and into the net from four yards.

Wadebridge were given a helping hand for their leveller after 17 minutes.

They won a long ball forward on the halfway line, and a simple pass sent through prolific striker Jacob Rowe who slid a finish past Leam Powell.

But Bude were enjoying the conditions in their favour and retook the lead on the half hour.

Harrison Swatton saw his free-kick dealt with, however from the same move he got the ball out again and he whipped over a cross that sub Rio Anderson – on for the injured Billy Hopcroft – nodded in from six yards.

That lead was extended further nine minutes later. Good play from Morgan and Piran Friend set Anderson away down the right and his cross across the face of the box was tapped in by Swatton from three yards.

Wadebridge’s tackling was much improved after the restart, but they rarely troubled Powell and were undone with 81 minutes on the clock with the goal of the game. Anderson took possession before gassing the full-back for pace before sending over another inviting ball that Friend couldn’t miss from.

Manager Steve Hackett said: “That’s three wins in a row now with nine scored and just one conceded, so we’ve got to be happy.

“We’re playing some really nice football at the moment and playing with lots of confidence.”

Bude were without several key players at the weekend, but Hackett believes there ever-improving depth ensures they will remain competitive.

He continued: “We’ve got plenty of options now and even though we had a couple missing, Harry injure himself in the warm-up and Billy have to go off in the first half, we’ve now got quality throughout the squad to still pick up results.”

After their victory at home to Camelford, Bude have won at Dobwalls and Wadebridge ahead of Saturday’s visit from strugglers Millbrook (3pm).

Hackett continued: “It’ll be great to be back at Broadclose. The guys are really enthusiastic at the moment and excited for the next batch of games coming up which provide us with a good opportunity to keep our run going.

“Everything is going well at the moment, and since Tornado has come back he’s really put even more belief in the boys.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, the reserves got their St Piran League Division Tw East campaign underway, thrashing visiting St Dominick 7-1.

Ben Truscott netted a hat-trick with Liam McDonald, Billy Hopgood, Dougie Green and Oska Holmes also on target.

BUDE TOWN: Leam Powell; Ruan Tape, Jake Woodland, Ewan Reeves, Fin Haste; Harry Banks, Archie Perrott; Piran Friend, Billy Hopcroft, Harrison Swatton; Dylan Morgan. Subs: Mason Tape, Rio Anderson, John Wharton, Tega Olaosebikan.

Seasiders’ man-of-the-match: Rio Anderson.