HELSTON Athletic boss Sid Taylor was delighted to see his side secure a 3-2 win at Bude Town on Saturday.

The Blues headed to the north east corner of Cornwall without Jason Robertson, Jamie Thirkle or Hugh Howlett available while regular captain Jamie Thomson was only able to make the subs bench due to illness.

Town took the lead in the first half, but Athletic showed great resilience to battle back into proceedings with goals from Andrew Westgarth, Mark Goldsworthy and Mikey Davies securing them three points and moving them to second in the table.

After the game, Taylor said: “It was a great performance from the lads.

“We had a few players out so it was a good chance to test out some of the squad players.

“I was really pleased with the effort they all put in, especially at a place like Bude who are a tough side and have a good record at home.”

The lead was deservedly gained by Bude when Billy Hopcroft spanked a lovely volley past Martyn Webster in Helston’s goal after David Youldon flicked the ball onto the striker.

Athletic began to get control in the game and for the final 15 minutes of the first half were well on top of their opponents, but were unable to finish off any chance they created.

It would not take them long to break their duck after the interval though as a mistake by the home defence let in Westgarth who dispatched the ball into the net.

About halfway through the second period, Athletic took the lead when Goldsworthy converted a penalty which had been awarded after Tom Stratton had fouled the visitor’s top goal scorer.

Mikey Davies came on in the 80th minute for the Blues and during his time on the pitch added his side’s third goal direct from a free kick.

An own goal towards the end did not cause any problems for Helston, who managed to run the game out for the win.

Fellow promotion chasers St Dennis are the next opposition for Athletic as they travel to Boscowan Park on Saturday.

Having gone seven games unbeaten in the league, Taylor said he is hoping this good form will carry them through the tough encounter.

“They are on the same amount of points and games played as us, so it will be a great result for whoever goes,” he said.

“I have been to watch them play a couple of times in recent weeks, so we have a gameplan I feel can take get the better of them.”

HELSTON: Webster, T Santos, A Stidwell, B Stidwell, K Davies, Adlard, Russell, Young (c), H Santos (Miller 70), Goldsworthy (M Davies 80), Westgarth (D Stidwell 70).

UNUSED SUBS: Thomson.