BUDE’S first outing of the second half of the season ended with a 5-1 defeat at second-placed University of Plymouth.

In damp conditions it was the home side who started brightly and opened the scoring after 20 minutes with a top level drag-flick from a slick penalty corner routine.

Bude bounced back well and got on level terms with a great team move that was just like they had been working on in training as Henry Gwynn-Thomas played a simple one-two pass with Charlie Falla which allowed them to bypass the Plymouth defenders. Then once in the D, Gwynn-Thomas slotted the ball home perfectly.

The excitement was short lived as Plymouth responded almost immediately as their striker quickly got in the D and made no mistake from close-range to restore the lead.

They then kept that lead until the end of the first half despite Bude looking dangerous. However they were unable to make their good play count.

Plymouth were intent on making a statement in the second half and they got the break they needed as within a few minutes a well-worked open play goal extended their lead and gave them a comfortable cushion.

It also knocked the stuffing and gameplan right out of Bude.

The Cornishmen tried to adapt and overcome, but in order to compete at this level you need a full squad and unfortunately, they were missing a couple of players which began to show as they game wore on.

The relentless chasing, spirit and endeavour shown by the Seasiders naturally dwindled as the game went on and the younger, fitter university lads started to dominate as they raised the intensity and pace of the game which was too much for Bude to cope with. Two further open-play goals by their in-form striker made a huge difference in the later stages of the game and made the scoreline look a little one sided.

A team spokesperson said: “In reality it was not quite the like the scoreline suggested and on a different day a much closer result could have been possible.

“However in terms of the league the result may not stand as Plymouth were unable to provide 2 qualified umpires to oversee the game and as such it was played as a friendly game.

“The failure to appoint suitable umpires should see the league penalise the home team and award a 5-0 walkover to Bude; the league have been notified and we await their decision.

“It highlights the important job that umpires play within sport and acts as a reminder to always value and appreciate their role in the game.

“Bude are heading back to Plymouth on Saturday to face runaway league leaders Ocean City who have not lost a game all season.

“Any points are unlikely but nothing is impossible, plus it is a chance to challenge and test ourselves against the best the league has and learnings can be made for the other games ahead.”