The first 20
minutes saw an equal battle with both sides pushing forward but
missing chances to take the lead. It was Bude captain Lizzy Jenkins
who finally broke the deadlock, a shot from the left bounded in off
the underside of the cross bar.
Saltash thought
they had levelled shortly after but the goal was disallowed for
offside. Stout defending from Claire Gifford and Steph Hayden kept
the Saltash attack at bay. Returning right back Leona Marsh made
some essential well timed tackles and played the ball out of the
defence.
Bude made it 2-0
just before half time when Katie Horstmann weaved past 2 Saltash
defenders to place across the oncoming keeper.
Saltash were
always going to come out battling in the second half and it was a
fantastic looping shot from Stacy Arthur that beat home keeper Lisa
Cornish to make it 2-1. Their joy was short-lived however as within
minutes Leanne Stanbury's determination in the box resulted in
another home goal.
In an end to end
period of the match, Saltash capitalised on a defensive error,
Zandra Godfrey tapping in to make it 3-2.
Bude attacked
again and the constant pressure saw the Saltash defence lose their
shape. With full backs Hayden and Marsh joining the attack Saltash
were outnumbered and a cross from the right found lil' Sarah
Underwood unmarked in the box. She had time to take it down and
pick her spot - 4-2.
With just 5
minutes to go Bude considered banking the 2 goal advantage but Dell
Birkenshaw was hungry for more! Her throw into the box found Anita
Symons, whose shot was deflected past the stranded keeper. The
match finished 5-2.