SOUTH WEST ONE

Bude A 2

With a number of defeats towards the end

of last year, Caradon needed a result against Bude A to keep their position mid-table – and they managed just that.

Things started well for the hosts as they maintained

possession to put the home defence under pressure – and Neil Mullis supplied a clean finish from a Leon Farrow cross to open the scoring.

Mark McCartney put Caradon two-up going into the half-time break, completing a  skilfully developed play down the right side – and they have had more goals had it not been for a star performance from the visiting goalkeeper, who made some impressive saves.

The second period should have been an opportunity for the home side to increase their margin and ease the pressure, but Bude had different ideas and came out more determined and a bit slicker.

This paid off when an unfortunate foot-on-ball incident from Richard Tamblin gave the away team the opportunity they needed with a cleanly struck shot from the short corner, before defensive errors forced a number of further short corners – and one was converted to bring the visitors level.

Caradon regrouped, though, and saw Jake Joyce put them back into the lead with a deceptive sweep to out-fox the Bude 'keeper.

Pushing forward, a concerted effort in the D seemed to have paid off... but the final strike from 'Man-of-the-Match' Mullis – destined for the back of the net – was denied by a foot on the line.

Paul Luiten put the resulting penalty flick away to put Caradon 4-2 up and ensure the result which puts them fifth in the table.

With the next four fixtures against the top four teams – starting tomorrow with a trip to Penzance – Caradon must work very hard to make further progress.