Time was of the essence so we cracked on and arrived at the ground in good time to grab another brew and find a viewing spot. I noted a few blooms, 2 species of butterfly and a couple of birds and then got the notebook ready and the tip of the nib exposed - ooh mother - splash that ink baby!
A Small White (Pieris rapae) flew by as the ball got rolling - a lepidopteran cum football twisted omen perhaps as the visiting bunch were clad in white - cue Twilight Zone music. From the off Hayle won an immediate corner which was hoofed with too much welly and soon after the No 8 (Callum Sidwell) forced the issue and had a pop at goal that went straight at the keeper. The hosts applied a good squeeze whilst Bude scrambled and hoofed much to their hopping manager's disgruntlement. The guests slowly gained some ground, No 10 (Billy Hopcroft) was released but his shot went off-line due to a desperate defensive nudge. A free-kick was given, the shot came, a few 'handball' shouts rent the clement airspace but the referee was disinterested and waved 'play on'.
Bude grew into the game with noticeable effort and started to test the mettle of the opposing rear. Hopcroft let fly after the defensive ranks backed off. The shot was well struck but just lacking in true direction. As Bude tried to worm a clear cut chance Hayle gathered and broke. At the apex was No 10 (Aaron Hicks) who received, made a snippet of space and let fly. The ball stayed low, the keeper dove and stretched a limb but the ball squeezed by and nestled in the corner of the strike zone - a very nice take indeed albeit against the flow somewhat.
From here Hayle pressed again, No 8 (Callum Sidwell) was looking to nip in but the travelling mitter was their to quell the threat. The home 'erberts looked for the next goal with increasing purpose but were too easily caught offside on a couple of occasions. All that was needed was a little 'up-front' composure. The Bude No 19 (Piran Friend) however was next to rise from the hustle with good tootsies shown that resulted in a tumble. No 9 (Ray Spear) took the free-kick, picked his spot and sent the ball into the top corner with a quite sumptuous strike - we were back to all square, this was becoming more intriguing by the minute.
Bude now pushed on, No 7 (Harrison Swatton) was out wide, a high cross was met by the pate of Spear whose close in header was safely gathered. The half raced on, there was little between these teams with a goal before half-time greatly sought. Bude swept forth again, Swatton's end shot was too high and left many travellers disappointed. No 5 (Harry Hopcroft) had a dig soon after and was closer to the target zone but still off the mark. The guests were finishing the first 45 with a flourish, but could not find a way through. A handball plea was urgent and voluble but after a discussion between the officials a free kick was given which was bunged over the horizontal timber. The break was upon us, all level, perfectly balanced.
A wander, a piddle and a brew - by heck I could have thrashed some chips. We took up the same positions with the weather still kind but a slight chill nipping in. Having soggy feet from the rockpooling wasn't helping but hey, better to have crabs nibbling my tootsies than crabs elsewhere.
From the off Bude were keen with No 8 (Nathan Colley) letting fly a rasper-jasper that the keeper was behind. An injury break came, the player was soon up again and as matters unfolded Hayle were gradually getting squeezed back and shown a brandished cosh of peril. A quick move for the Town saw some swift and sharp passing with No 6 (Jake Woodland) finalising with a wayward shot. The local lads eventually gained possession and broke. No 7 (Aiden Murphy) bounded away, a touch and a shot followed with the upright clattered and left in a state of 'tremble' - unlucky.
A Starling landed nearby, he looked a trifle perished, ooh the delicate southern bugger. A nip was in the air but nothing critical at all and as the balanced game unfolded I was warmed by the effort being poured in and the continued passion. A free-kick for Hayle after Sidwell was felled. No 4 (Joe Carlyon) stepped up but could only post a pea roller at the keeper.
Time advanced in this tight contest. Bude won a corner - it was short and shit, just like Ronnie Corbett, I believe. Another Bude progression, the home keeper came and a player was clattered, the referees arm was raised and a digit was pointing to the penalty spot. Spear took responsibility and delivered a low and easy strike that found the back of the bag - the onus was now all on the shoulders of the hosts.
Into the arse-end splutterings, Hayle just weren't doing enough to create any great panic in the opposition's back line. No 4 (James Wheeler) for the guests was exemplary and mopped up many loose balls and dealt with any danger in a cool and calculated manner. No 11 (Kieran Rennard) for Hayle came on but the aforementioned back bod was there again and doing his bit. The time wasted away like the cock-end of a far gone leper. Hayle pushed, Bude broke, a sweeping sortie with No 11 (Tiga Olaosebikan) thrusting through and bagging a goal to bring up a 2 goal cushion and certainly cementing an away win.
With only 2 revolutions on the clock left Hayle refused to roll over and give in. A ball entered the Bude box, chances were lost before No 18 (Joe Day) gathered, stayed composed and fired home. From the kick off there was no time for a further attack and that was that. We agreed that if there was another 5 minutes on the clock the game could have ended quite differently but Bude deserved this (just) and Man of the Match goes to their No 4 (James Wheeler) who was dominant in defence, had a good reading of the game and always did what was required when needed. Spot on man and keep it rolling.
Off we went with another ground visited, a fine game noted and a good day all round had.
FINAL THOUGHTS - First things first - Hayle you have a good set up but we Northern bastards like chips and pies tha' knows (even when on a diet) and next time we head your way we wanna hear the chip pan sizzling. Other than this, keep up the fine work. As for the teams, I think they were well matched today and with a few different rolls of the globe the scoreline could have been easily a draw or even a home win. Bude Town were decent today albeit a little frustrating at times with their ability to get squeezed and pushed back. They are a steady unit though, their backline is well-regulated and they have some sharp components further up but, don't dilly-dally when going forth and give your colleagues options chaps - therein more goals will be borne. Hayle please in parts, frustrate in others and in truth this was a spell of soccerised action that had a bit of both emotions. At times they played with a wide game that stretched their opponents and kept them thinking but at others players ran out of space into the mush and so killed options. When in possession, off the ball runs are the greatest creative force, today I feel, there wasn't enough and those that did come were mainly lacking in forethought. The team are decent though and hey, these are just personal thoughts from an online looker - tis all I can offer and of course, these reports - I hope it nudges and helps.
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