BUDE TOWN 0, PENZANCE 4

Top scorer Charlie Young returned to Penzance’s starting eleven after injury, plundering a hat-trick as the holders stormed into the last eight of League Cup with a hugely impressive performance at Broadclose writes James Wright.

In splendid seaside sunshine it was Bude who threatened first when a Finn Reeve free kick was headed back at the far post, the ball being cleared before Billy Hopcroft could pounce. The visitors capitalised on the let off, Young muscling his way in from the right flank before tucking a shot just inside Liam Hill’s near post.

The home side’s chances were hampered by the loss of Billy Hopcroft through injury shortly before the break. Nevertheless, they made a spirited start to the second half. Teenager Aaron Hart, Hopcroft’s replacement, made a brilliant burst down the left, centring for Mason Tape whose powerful drive was repelled by the Penzance defence. The visitors had their chances too. On the hour mark, Wade Brown found himself in on goal but was dispossessed by an impeccably timed James Wheeler tackle. With Hill squinting into the setting sun and off his line, Charlie Willis attempted an audacious shot from the halfway line, but sadly the execution did not match his vision.

The second goal was always likely to prove pivotal, and it went Penzance’s way in the 65th minute thanks to good old fashioned wing play from one of their young bucks. Ewan Trevains took on the Bude defence and, from the goal-line, cut the ball back to Young who simply could not miss. Shortly afterwards it was game over. Young attempted to thread the ball through to strike partner Brown but, when the pass was blocked back to him he went for goal himself, curling a beauty past Hill and just under the bar.

Harry Hopcroft had a free-kick well saved by Harry Salmon as Bude tried to find a way back. But they were further punished when teenage substitute Hayden Waters pounced on a defensive slip and hared through to chalk up his second goal for the first team and complete the scoring. His side will continue their defence of the Cup with a home Quarter-Final against Teignmouth on Saturday February 14th.

Hat trick hero Charlie Young fires the Magpies into the Quarter Finals with

teenage substitute Hayden Waters completing the scoring.

Bude: Liam Hill, Jamie Gorst, Finn Reeve, James Wheeler, Ewan Reeves (captain), Archie Perrott, Harrison Swatton, Piran Friend, Harry Hopcroft, Billy Hopcroft, Dylan Morgan.

Subs: Marshall Chapman, Aaron Hart, Oska Holmes, Liam Dart, Mason Tape

Penzance: Harry Salmon, Ewan Trevains, Ben Palmer, Silas Sullivan (James Butler 76), Tyler Tonkin (captain), Josh Turner, George Molcher (Sam Young 76), Wade Brown (Hayden Waters 76), Charlie Willis, Charlie Young, Ollie Butler.

Unused subs: Jacob Trudgeon, Mark Vercesi

Referee: Graeme Martin

Assistants: Paul Clark, Bryan Holden

Attendance: 123

Photos courtesy of James Wright