Bude 2    Bere Alston United 1

After losing to Bere Alston five-nil just a couple of weeks ago, many thought this would be an easy encounter against a Bude side who have been hit or miss for much of the season, but seem to rise to the big games and they did just that in this final encounter.  Bude packed the midfield from the start, seeming happy to sit back and soak up the early Bere Alston pressure with Dan Balsdon, Gary Dinshaw and Adam Cornish working tirelessly to sniff out any danger in the middle.  Bere Alston came close on occasions with shots flying wide of either post but also  Bude keeper Matt Warburton pulling off an unbelievable reaction save down to his left early on as Bere Alston thought they had taken the lead.  Bude had a number of chances in the half with regular counter attacks catching the United back line out, Balsdon and Tommy Statton coming close during the half.  It was after 20 mins when Bude took the lead, a Jason Ferrett corner from the right saw striker Tommy Statton leap amongst a number of defenders and head inside the near post.  Just 5 mins in to the second half and Bude doubled their lead after a deep free kick in to the Bere Alston box saw the ball finally come down to Norman Foster who chested, then volleyed in past the keeper from 12 yards.  Bere Alston began to push men forward at every opportunity but with colossus Wayne Cornish winning everything in the air and being backed up with solid performances from the trio of Simon Chadwick, Gareth Martyn and young Jamie Hopcroft, it didn't look like Bere Alston were going to recover from the two goal deficit.  To the rescue though came Bere Alston skipper Wil Westlake, after a sliced clearance from the Bude box, the ball dribbled across the edge of the box, Westlake collected and smashed a left foot strike in to the top left corner after 60 mins.  This lifted the Bere Alston side and they started looking the better of the two teams but they still couldn't find a way through.  Bude nearly settled the tie with five mins remaining when another quick break down the left saw Tommy Statton square the ball to substitute Gary Hodgson who curled a shot towards the top corner, but keeper Craig Howells pulled off a wonderful finger tip save to keep the game in the balance.  A nervy last few minutes and Bere Alston pushed everyone on, nearly equalising right at the end when a corner was partially cleared, the ball was whipped back in and flew past three unmarked United attackers on the six yard box and out for a goal kick.  Thanks must go the Duchy League organisers for all their work in the competition and also to Launceston F.C for their hospitality on the night.