The Bell Inn travelled to St Faiths yesterday morning and put in one of their best performances of the season to win 7-1.
St Faiths, the only side to defeat the table toppers in the league this season, were looking to be the first side to ever do the double or even win on aggregate against the Bell Inn since Brown and Anderson took over the club 18 months ago.
Despite winning 6-2 earlier in the season, they failed.
With top scorer Simpson missing from the previous game, Appleton came into the starting 11 to start up front with Payne-Wilkins. The only other change saw J.Butler come into the side ahead of Ward.
It didn’t take long for the former centre back/now striker Appleton to get off the mark, firing home into the bottom corner after just 3 minutes after a great through ball from the impressive C.Butler.
The morning didn’t start so well for his brother Jamie though, who suffered an elbow to the face after 15 minutes and had to come off pouring with blood.
Route one football made the second goal, as a long kick from goalkeeper Howell found it’s way through to Payne-Wilkins, who made no mistake when one on one.
Despite complete domination, St Faiths won a penalty but their striker attempted a Joe Pattison-like dinky chip down the middle of the goal. Howell stood still and caught it with ease.
Minutes later a buller header from a corner was tipped over the bar well by Howell.
However, the Bell Inn cleared the corner as Pattison ran the length of the pitch, passed to C.Butler who set up Appleton for his second.
It was at this point when Moore decided he was simply too hungover to take any further part in the game and dragged himself off, making way for Ashman. Moore was instantly handed the linesmans flag.
St Faiths pulled a goal back but Bell Inn responded well as Appleton completed his hat-trick in first half injury time with another composed finished.
HT – St Faiths 1 v 4 Bell Inn.
With a broke J.Butler and a sick Moore off, the Bell Inn were praying the 11 players on the field stayed fit as Brown and Anderson simply could not be bothered to get changed.
A strong Ashman run down the right wing resulted in him squaring the ball to Appleton who again fired home, making the score 5-1 after just 60 minutes.
Huge celebrations from Brown and Bean were in place every time Appleton scored as the managers were delighted that their tactic to convert the centre back into a striker had worked wonders.
J.Butler, who was starting to feel slightly better, even commented on how fun it was on the bench and asked to be there more often in the future.
Pattison was having a glorious time in his new position of right back. He dinked the ball over the St Faiths forward and shouted ‘see ya’ at him on a few occasions.
Brown then told him he is coming off after he has had one more touch of the ball, in which he must attempt a ‘flip flap’. He did, but failed.
10 minutes later, Appleton did it again for his fifth goal of the match. This time after good work from Payne-Wilkins, who was also at his best throughout the 90 minutes.
With 8 minutes left on the clock, the Bell Inn felt it was time to take Appleton off as he was simply embarrassing the opposition. He came off to a standing ovation, from 4 people.
There was still time for one more goal as A.Brown volleyed home from close range from a C.Butler cross.
FT – St Faiths 1 v 7 Bell Inn
(Appleton 5, Payne-Wilkins, A.Brown)
PLAYER RATINGS
Anthony Howell – 7 – Saved a penalty and got an assist.
Joe Pattison – 7 – Another very solid performance.
Marc Garrod – 8 – So calm on the ball.
Danny Bland – 8 – More erratic than Garrod but pace keeps him out of trouble.
Danny Moore – 6 – Absolutely hammered.
Jamie Butler – 6 – Didn’t play for long. Nose in pieces.
Jack Tarrant – 7 – Nice easy morning stroll.
Adam Brown – 7 – Didn’t have to break sweat.
Calvin Butler – 9 – Lots of assists. Best performance of the season.
Luke Appleton – 9 – JOINT MAN OF MATCH – 5 goals. Enough said.
Jesse Payne Wilkins – 9 – JOINT MAN OF MATCH – One goal, but was superb all game.
SUBS
Liam Ward – 6 – Almost scored his first goal of the season.
Reece Ashman – 7 – Back from injury and hoping to hit full form after Christmas.
MANAGERS
Tom Brown – 10 – Gave Appleton a new position.
Neil Anderson – 10 – Didn’t name himself in the squad.
NO SHOWS
Robbie Stone – 0 – Woke up at 9am after 1 hours sleep, attempted to get dressed and ready but simply couldn’t handle it.
James McCloy – 1 – Did text the management at 8.30am to say he had been sick. Made 2 out of our 15 games this season despite being named in EVERY squad.
To be top of the league we have just been promoted into, at Christmas, is a great achievement.
We have 8 games left and we know 8 wins will win us the title and automatic promotion to the Premier Division. Maybe less than that will do the job.
The commitment and adaptability so far this season from MOST of the players has been superb so we thank you all for that.
Others not so great but personally I don’t really mind as it means I get to play sometimes.
Everyone enjoy Christmas and see you next year.
Kind regards.
Tom ‘LA9 inventor’ Brown.
The Bell Inn F.C 