Bell Inn 4-2 The POW FC.
L. Aldridge, T. Bridges, K. Challen, A. Pattison, N. Anderson, J. Tarrant, M. Garrod, R. Ashman, J. Pattison, C. Butler, D. Simpson (c)
R. Tubb (65), N. Eagle (75)
The Bell Inn welcomed last seasons 4th best team The POW FC to Barnham Broom for their first ever Premier Division game.
With a number of players missing, as usual, it was a bit of a make shift team with a new 4-2-3-1 formation being given a go.
POW started the strongest without really creating any clear cut chances but it was the Bell Inn who caught the away side on the break a couple of times, with Dale Simpson dragging a shot wide and Joe Pattison clipping the cross bar.
The visitors broke the deadlock on 30 mins through a scrappy goal which debutant Challen did his best to keep out but had no back up, leaving the striker with a simple tap in at the back post.
POW dominated the rest of the half and could have made it two but goalkeeper Aldridge made a classy save from a one on one.
HT. Bell Inn 0-1 POW.
Managers Brown and Anderson emphasised how impressed they had been with the first half performance and demanded more of the same.
On 55 minutes, Challen placed a perfect through ball through the POW defence and Simpson casually slotted it past the keeper, carrying on his impressive scoring record from last season.
The Bell Inn were now on top but fell behind again after a good move down the left resulted in a brilliant cross and finish to make the score 2-1.
Unlike previous encounters over the years, the home side kept their heads up and were rewarded with a penalty with 25 minutes to go. Joe Pattison stepped up and placed it well away from the goalkeepers reached to level the scores once again.
It was all Bell Inn now as the impressive Anderson made away for Tubb as the yellows pressed for a winner.
Good work down the right from Simpson saw him get into the box and mis hit a left foot shot which found its way nicely to Pattison to slot home for this second of the game.
The reformed Eagle, without a beard and 2 stone lighter, came on for the last 15 minutes to add a bit of strength up top and had a goal disallowed with his first touch.
He then almost scored a 30 yard lob without his boot on, which had came off whilst he was running for the ball, and was thrown into a bush by an opposition player.
The impressive Butler sealed the win after everyone stopped but him when the linesmans flag went up. He was judged on side and cooly rounded the goalkeeper before tapping home.
The Bell Inn stood firm for the final 10 minutes, which again is rare, with the back four and the two defensive midfielders Tarrant and Garrod, performing miracles.
FT. Bell Inn 4-2 POW.
(J. Pattison 2, Simpson, C. Butler)
MOM – It’s not very often we say this but everyone was at their best today, from front to back. The three stand out performers with Garrod back in his more comfortable position of midfield, J. Pattison who used his freedom in the hole well and banged in two goals and man of the match Challen, who was a rock at the back and we all hope he plays a few more games for us this season. Despite him being old, ginger and ugly.
Fair play to POW who will feel like they deserved something from the game. There was not a lot between the two teams and could have gone either way. We look forward to the re match at their place later in the season.
From a personal note, it was brilliant watching that out there yesterday after a very hard summer of trying to get things sorted. The players making their debuts were all quality and the regulars from last season turned up as usual and did their job. We have a few more players back next week so may even be in a position where we have to pick a team and subs, and not just play the only 11 players who turn up. I won’t hold my breath with that though.
With decent commitment, we can do things this season. Well done everyone. Bring on Dussindale.
The Bell Inn F.C 