THE returning Saddam ‘Tornado’ Bello struck a hat-trick on his return to the club as Bude eased past Dobwalls 3-1 at Broadclose Park on Wednesday night.

The Dingos took a sixth minute lead through James Green’s close-range header, before Bello gave the dominant hosts the equaliser from the spot shortly before the half-hour.

He doubled his tally just before the break and later added a second penalty as Bude moved up to ninth in the table.

Both sides went into the contest off the back of advancing to the last 16 of the Walter C Parson League Cup – Bude against Okehampton and Dobwalls having seen off Ilfracombe Town in North Devon.

Bude were bolstered by the return of Bello and midfield general Baga Mariko with Bello lining up up front, while Mariko, who is also registered with Mount Gould and Barnstaple, sat in front of the defence alongside Harry Hopcroft.

The hosts created three good chances in the first five minutes as twice Bello, who was constant thorn throughout, was twice denied by Matt Westall, before the ever-dangerous Harrison Swatton saw a shot destined for the far corner after cutting in off the left, blocked by a visiting defender.

Dobwalls are finding their feet under Kev McCann and broke away to score a fine goal as a ball in from the right was nodded in at the near post.

Westall denied Bello with his face before the striker won himself a penalty which he expertly put into the far corner.

His second was a brilliant team goal as man-of-the-match left-back Finn Reeve, Hopcroft, Swatton and Mariko were all involved in an intricate move around the left side of the box which ended with the latter laying a simple finish on a plate from six yards.

The second half saw Dobwalls often look a threat on the counter, but James Wheeler did superbly to keep the dangerous Alex Oshinyemi relatively quiet.

Bude wrapped up victory five minutes from time when Bello slotted home a second penalty.

Reflecting on the evening, Bude boss Steve Hackett said: “I was absolutely delighted with last night.

“We didn’t play very well on Saturday and still won, but last night was much better.

We played some really good attacking football and could easily have had a few more goals.”

Winning at Broadclose is key to the Seasiders’ campaign, a fact not lost on Hackett.

He continued: “We were mindful that Dobwalls had enjoyed a really good result at Ilfracombe, so we made a real point beforehand about making sure we weren’t complacent.

“But you always want to win your home games, particularly against sides below you in the table, and we managed to get it done.”

Bude are starting to develop into a decent side and with many of them still in their early 20s or younger, the future looks bright with Hackett delighted with several individuals.

He said: “There were plenty of excellent individual performances.

Finn was man-of-the-match again from left-back, Tornado scored three and could easily have had six, Baga and Harry in the middle were really good and Harrison on the left looked dangerous like he has all season.

Also James Wheeler did a really good job on their striker who looks a really good striker.”Bude are back at home on Saturday when they welcome second-placed and joint title favourites, Liskeard Athletic (3pm).

BUDE TOWN: Ty Rowe; Jamie Gorst, James Wheeler, Ewan Reeves (capt), Finn Reeve; Baga Mariko, Harry Hopcroft; Dylan Morgan, Jake Gilbert, Harrison Swatton; Tornado Bello. Subs: Ryan Vanstone, Aaron White, Archie Perrott, Jake Woodland, Jago Tweitman.

Seasiders’ man-of-the-match: Finn Reeve.