Richmond, J.Pattison, A.Pattison, Eagle. Anderson, Skelly, Tarrant. Ashman, Simpson. C.Butler, Babb.
Bridges 60 (For Anderson)
The Bell Inn suffered their first defeat of the season as they went down 3-2 in a close affair against William Wanderers.
Changes were made from the draw at Dussindale with Richmond making his first appearance of the season between the sticks.
Anderson and Eagle came into the starting 11, starting in defence alongside both the Pattison’s.
Skelly moved into midfield with Tarrant as Babb made his first start of the season in front of the midfield 3 of C.Butler, Simpson and Ashman.
Bridges started on the bench with both Brown’s.
William started the stronger and could have been 3-0 up in the first 5 minutes but some woeful finishing and last ditch defending kept the scores level.
The Bell Inn finally woke up and almost took the lead twice through Simpson.
It was the away side that took the lead though, when a goal mouth scramble resulted in the ball finishing in the back of the net.
The Bell Inn changed to a 442 with Simpson joining Babb up top and instantly won a penalty, which was casually converted by the reliable J.Pattison.
HT – Bell Inn 1-1 William
The Bell Inn started the second half as they ended the first and missed chance after chance until Skelly scored his first goal for the club.
A good move down the right involving Ashman, Babb and then a Simpson back heel led to Skelly tucking home a right foot drive from the edge of the box.
The Bell Inn had more chances to put the game to bed but failed to convert and William equalised with 20 minutes to go.
Eagle, who was a rock at the back, pulled his hamstring and had to be replaced and William went on to score the winner 15 minutes from time.
More chances were created and missed by the home side but they couldn’t take it to extra time as their dreams of Carrow Road died for another year.
FT – Bell Inn 2-3 William
J.Pattison pen (30), Skelly (60)
Man of match – The performance was brilliant, the finishing was poor. Most players had a decent game but Skelly just about edged it in centre midfield.
From a personal point of view, I was very pleased with the performance and can’t ask for much more apart from the strikers coming round mine this week to practice some shooting.
Fair play to William, who we always have a good game with and wish them the best of luck in the next round.
We visit Easton to play Schoolhouse next week, and then Riverside the week after. The two best teams in the league in my opinion (apart from us). Two huge games, points are needed from both.
Regards,
TB
The Bell Inn F.C 