The Bell Inn F.C

Aldridge, Garrod, J.Butler, Frost, A.Pattison, Ashman, Tarrant, C.Butler, Nurse, J.Pattison, Simpson.

A.Brown (30), Bunn (65), Gostling (75)

The Bell Inn lost by the odd goal in 11 as they suffered a rare home defeat at the hands of newly promoted Bungay.

With a strong squad, and debutants Dom Frost and Matt Gostling present, the Bell Inn started well but found themselves 2 goals down early on from 2 headered goals.

This seemed to wake the home side up and Frost marked his debut with a nicely taking goal after 30 minutes from a quality Calvin Butler free kick.

Unfortunately Ashman picked up an injury and had to be replaced as A.Brown made his first proper comeback from injury to go on to play a solid 40 minutes.

The score soon changed to 3-1 as Bungay caught Bell Inn sleeping once again but Simpson came to life and made it 3-2 just before the break after good work from Nurse.

HT – Bell Inn 2-3 Bungay

Simpson’s goal on half time inspired the lads and minutes into the second half, he made it 3-3 after latching onto an Aldridge goal kick.

The Bell Inn were now in control but Bungay took the lead again after some sloppy defending. However, Simpson stepped up again to equalise after some breathtaking/lucky pieces of skill and clever finish at the front post. He celebrated as a fireman spraying a hose, after reportably putting out a fire at Tesco the previous day. #LifeSaver

Players began to tire and 4-4 soon became 6-4 after yet more mistakes. Simpson pulled one back at the death for his fourth goal of the game but it was too little too late as the Bell Inn lost a game which really could have gone either way.

Credit to Bungay who battled hard and took their chances well.

MOM – Dom Frost had a superb debut but Dale Simpson was quite simply unplayable at times and 4 goals is not a bad effort. A stunning personal performance from the skipper.

From a personal point of view, it was an enjoyable yet painful match to watch. Not until the game was finished did I think we would take nothing from it. But we ended up with nothing and that’s what you get in the Prem for making a few mistakes and missing a few clear cut chances.

Saying that, we played bloody well and I was very pleased the performance.

Pleasing to welcome Bunn back from injury, and good to see Nurse get more confident as the game went on and put in a good performance.

Next week we have no game, the week after we take on AFC Wanderers at their place. I won’t be there for the game as am in London so it’s over the Bean to get the points and play himself upfront and get a hat trick.

Regards,

TB52

Aldridge, Riches, J.Pattison, Bridges, Anderson, Ashman, Tarrant, Skelly, C.Butler, Nurse, Simpson.

Sub : J.Butler

The Bell Inn suffered their first league defeat of the season against an impressive Schoolhouse.

With players missing again, the Bell Inn were stretched to their limits but put in a spirited performance.

Hangovers were plenty on arrival with a couple of players being sick and another not arriving until after kick off.

Schoolhouse took the lead after 15 minutes after good work from the midfield and a nice finish from their striker.

5 minutes later the Bell Inn were level after Ashman won a free kick on the edge of the box and the experienced Skelly curled it into the top corner superbly.

Schoolhouse went ahead again when the magic of Rhys Logan destroyed the Bell Inn defence and his left foot finish into the top corner was quite simply brilliant.

The Bell Inn had chances with Simpson and C.Butler going close but it just wouldn’t go in.

Just before half time, the home side could have made it 3 after Bridges was harshly judged to have fouled his marker in the area.

However, Aldridge saved the pen superbly with a dive down to his bottom right, with a broken hand as well, to scramble it away. He also shouted ‘no one scores penalties past me’ as he saved it and as the ball was still bouncing around in the penalty area.

HT – Schoolhouse 2-1 Bell Inn

Schoolhouse started the second half stronger but the defence pairing of J.Butler (who came on after 5 minutes despite being injured) and J.Pattison (striker by name, defender due to absentees) were holding firm and both players put in a great performance.

Schoolhouse managed to score another 2 as they tired the hard working Bell Inn out.

FT – Schoolhouse 4-1 Bell Inn

MOM – J.Pattison and J.Butler were brilliant and very unlucky not to win the award, which goes to Skelly for the second week running.

A good performance from Bell Inn who, like usual, ran out of stream against Schoolhouse and saw the game taken away from them.

This weekend we take on newly promoted Bungay in what should be a very interesting game, and a must win for both sides.

We welcome two new signings for the game. 6 foot 7 centre back Dom Frost has joined from Wymondham for a fee of £5. We will add to our defence, which usually consists of 4 strikers now a days.

We also welcome Matt Gostling, a former Mattishall player who plays centre midfield and was signed by Bell Inn number one fan Phil Garrad.

Home on Sunday, 10.30 kick off, come along and watch. We may even have a couple of subs this week.

Cheers

Tom

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

Robinson, A.Pattison, Page, J.Butler, Skelly, Tarrant, Garrod, Ashman, J.Pattison, C.Butler, Simpson.

Babb (45 mins for J.Pattison), Eagle (80 mins for Page), Tubb (85 mins for Garrod).

The Bell Inn made it 2 games unbeaten after a good draw against a strong Dussindale side.

Robinson came in for the injured Aldridge in goal, whereas Page, Skelly and J.Butler replaced Challen, Anderson and Bridges in defence. The front six was unchanged from last week, with Babb joining Eagle and Tubb on the bench.

Hangovers were plenty and this showed in the opening exchanges as Dussindale dominated possession without creating any real clear cut chances. They were reduced to 30 yard pop shots, which were dealt with (just about) by Robinson.

The yellows made the most of the roll on, roll off substitute rule as Tubb made a 2 minute cameo of the bleeding Garrod, and Eagle did the same so J.Butler could change his boots.

The Bell Inn should have took the lead on 20 minutes as a front post knock down found J.Pattison, who flicked the ball onto the bar from 2 yards. The rebound fell to C.Butler, also 2 yards out, as he somehow headered wide.

The away side were made to pay for their missed chances as Dussindale took the lead on 30 mins with a good finish from the edge of the box.

This seemed to wake the Bell Inn up and they pulled it back to 1-1 after a superb C.Butler free kick found the head of Page who did brilliantly to head home from 6 yards.

HT – Dussindale 1-1 Bell Inn

Babb replaced J.Pattison in attack as Simpson moved into the free role.

The changed worked almost immediately as after 55 minutes, Babb picked up the ball on the left, rounded a couple of players before dinking it over another defenders leg and finishing from a tight angle. One of Babb’s best goals I have ever seen to be honest. It was god.

However, the Bell Inn were still celebrating as Dussindale went straight up the other end to make it level again. Another tidy finish to be fair.

As the game came to a finish, it was the Bell Inn creating the better chances but couldn’t find a winner.

Jack Tarrant had the best chance, after a cross found him 6 yards out but he smashed it wide, just inches past the post. This was also in front of his girlfriend Vicky and his baby Isabella, who was making her Bell Inn debut and couldn’t believe he had missed such an easy chance.

FT – Dussindale 2-2 Bell Inn

Page 40, Babb 55,

Man on the match – Lots of decent performances again with Richard Skelly impressing on his league debut at full back. Jamie Butler mopped up well at the back, Jack Tarrant class in midfield and substitute Ian Babb made a massive impact. But the award goes to Reece Ashman this week, who was back to his best on the right wing, beating the full back for pace every time and even managing to cross a few balls into the box (for once).

All in all, after being battered for the first 35 minutes, a point was a good result. Dussindale could have been out of sight early doors but we showed character to fight back and were unlucky not to win it in the end. 4 points from our opening 2 Premier Division games is a good start, considering 2 weeks ago we only had about 5 players.

We have a week off now then welcome old rivals William Wanderers to ours for the 1st round of the County Cup the following week. A cup we believe we can win.

Oh, and well done to Middle Green for managing to win a game in Division 2A. After last week’s hiding, I feared they may not pick up a point all season. Hopefully they can avoid relegation if they pick up a few more wins like this.

Enjoy the week off. Au revoir.

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.

We are now into the Bell Inn’s 5th season, the 3rd of Tom Brown’s and Neil Anderson’s reign.

With consecutive promotions in the clubs first two seasons from Division 4B and 3B, under Ian Babb, Brown and Anderson guided the club to the Division 2B title and 5th place in Division 1B, despite being top at Christmas.

The Bell Inn have also been runners up in both the Junior and Intermediate County Cup finals and now begin their 5th season pushing for promotion to the Premier Division.

A busy summer has seen 40 players signed in and pre season looked good with 3 wins.

The first a 7-4 win over Mulbarton A team, the second a 2-1 away at Redgrave and finally a 4-3 victory over Lakewood.

Despite this, the league campaign started terribly as a very hungover Bell Inn recorded their biggest defeat in their history with a 10-2 hiding at William Wanderers. Goals came from Adam Brown and an own goal.

An instant bounce back was needed and after a tough talk to the players, they responded well with a brilliant performance and 4-3 against Taverham yesterday.

Dale Simpson was at his absolute best scoring a well taken hat trick, and Scott Allen scored his first goal for the club.

Next week sees the return of several players who have missed pre season and the first two league games for whatever reasons, as the Bell Inn travel to Acle.

With most of the leagues teams involved in the Senior County Cup, of which we have a bye in, a win will see Bell Inn go joint top of the league.

Until the next time, good bye.

Firstly, I would like to apologise that there has not been a match report yet this year. This has mainly been because we haven’t won a game since December and I don’t like people knowing that we are rubbish at the moment.

Anyway, what’s happened in 2014?

We started the year with a home game against fellow promotion chasers Heartsease. This got cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch. It was re-arranged for the next week and was again postponed for the same reason.

Finally, on the 19th of January, we played a game. At home to Sprowston Wanderers who we had earlier beaten 5-3 away from home this season. We were top of the league.

Joint manager Neil Anderson decided to go on holiday and take Jack Tarrant with him. Tom Brown was left to his own devices and opted to play a 4-3-3 formation, with top scorer Dale Simpson in midfield. He also brought along 3 of his friends to sign on and be on the bench for the day.

Bell Inn lost 7-0. Their heaviest defeat since Brown and Anderson took over. The first time they hadn’t scored since Brown and Anderson took over. Nuff said.

Despite the heavy defeat, the Bell Inn remained joint top with Earlham and visited Sloughbottom Park the following weekend to take them on in a game which could make or break either team.

It was Dale Simpson’s last game before we went travelling and he gave a pre match speech, which can be seen on Facebook.

His girlfriend Michelle came to watch his farewell game and said how he had been practicing his speech all night and that he was determined to win the game for the Bell Inn to give them the best chance possible to win the league.

He started well with two well taken goals as the Bell Inn raced into a 2-0 lead. This didn’t last though and a mixture of dodgy defending and pure unluckiness, Earlham came back to win the game 3-2 and make a real statement.
Dale then drove home and that was that. How could we win without Dale you may ask?

Well we certainly pass more without Dale but he is sorely missed, as was proved last weekend against PL Rangers.
More weeks went by and more postponed games went by as the Bell Inn host PL Rangers finding themselves down to 4th in the table, albeit it having a few games in hand that could take them back up to 2nd.

Adam Brown gave them the lead after a good Josh Farrow free kick but minutes later PL Rangers equalised.

Half time saw emergency striker Luke Appleton go back into his favoured striker position and the Bell Inn took the lead again after another assist from Josh Farrow. This time it was Jamie Butler who scored the goal. I’m not totally sure how as he seemed to mis-kick the ball but it went in which was the main thing.

PL Rangers went all out attack for the last 10 minutes and despite having a goal disallowed, got the leveller to give both teams a point with keeps them both in the title race.

So yeah, basically, we haven’t won a game for two months now which is simply dreadful.

However, there have been a few positives to take from the last two months.

a) Jonny Page, who despite turning up to every game last season to watch and begging to be signed on, has had terrible commitment this season. Recently though, he has played more and it has made a difference as he is a class defender; even when he does turn up a total mess, still drunk, weeing on the dressing room floor.

b) Turning Luke Appleton into a striker. Simply brilliant move from Brown. Mulbarton manager Daniel Gaskin has since decided to do the same thing. This proves Brown is a better, cleverer manager than Gaskin.

We have 5 games left and 5 wins will guarantee us 2nd place in the table and a playoff final against 2nd place in Division 1A, with a place in the Premier Division up for grabs.

5 wins may also give us the title, depending on other results.

We take on Ribs Rovers, Acle Reserves and Unicorns (next week), all sides in the bottom half of the table but anything can happen in this league.

We also entertain both Poringland and Heartsease, who are in the promotion chase as well. These are simply huge games.

If we don’t get promotion, there are strong rumours that Brown is set to resign as he sees his squad as the best in Sunday football and failure is not an option. The option would be to give up. But he has faith they will do it.

Hopefully we can get back to winning ways at the weekend and then I can do a proper match report again. If we don’t, I probably won’t.

Enjoy.
Tom ‘shall I play next weekend?’ Brown.

Bell Inn defender was today appointed as the clubs new treasurer, to add to his title of Chief Scout. Here is what he had to say…

(Please ignore the awful spelling and grammar. Brown’s comments are the brackets.)

I am delighted to be ‘the chosen one’ treasurer of bell inn fc. Reports suggest that this is only because i am a rich billionaire tycoon, truth is im the only one who doesn’t spend all my money within the 1st week of the month. I Will take full control of all finances at the club due to brown apparently spending it on prostitutes. I personally feel as though the club can take it to the next level and make the premier league.

(We gave Danny the role as we feel he isn’t good enough to play for us anymore.)

We are a big club with big names like appleton although some fans do question the signing of jimmyAWOLmac

(We signed James McCloy for merchandise reasons. He is a big name and sells shirts worldwide.)

As chief scout i Will be looking for bigger names like javier Mascherano and Danny higginbotham to join us in the prem next season. On the manager front i can confirm that we were in talks wiv sir Alex Ferguson but negotiations broke down as we couldn’t afford his taxi back to the airport. Unfortunately we will stay wiv bean and brown for the foreseeable future as they are great managers who i do get on wiv very well.

(Although we missed out on the names above, we are currently negotiating a deal for Champ Manager 01/02 legend Cherno Samba, who is without a club.)

They have listened to me in the past when i have told them to try out New star striker Luke appleton upfront in which he returned the favour by putting 5 past the gatekeeper whilst suffering a migrane as he as in unknown territory. Also Joe twatison converted to right back was also my idea and so was windows 7!!!

(This is clearly bullshit. Brown turned Appleton into LA9 and Brown and Bean converted JP2 into a right back as he is a liability up front.)

The managers style of play keeps the fans happy and that’s what this club is all about. The attacking style of play is superb, especially when dale Simpson is on his worst form is all seems to work out for him, the negative side to this is we like to concede goals at the start of matches just to make the other team.believe they have a chance, we then laugh at them and usually win 4-3, unless josh farrow is in goal then we lose 6-0

(It is a well known fact that Brown doesn’t care about defending and Bean doesn’t care about attacking. That’s why we work so well together.)

Bean is the best goalkeeper at the club. On a personal note, i have played well this season and yes this is due to hangovers. I have not broken my nose as yet and i have put in solid performances. I have only lost 1 bell inn game ever (90 mins) but that was because josh farrow was in goal so i think that says alot. To conclude, we will be prem next year, our nickname from other teams has now changed from the bell ends (known in division 4,3,2)

(Danny Moore has not played well. We are still all bellends.)

To the bell wins. I will be manager by 2016 as i look to take every position at the massive bell inn. Chief scout, treasurer and future secretary, manager and chairman Danny Moore

(Danny Moore is the Bell Inn)

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 travelled to Sprowston to take on the Premier Division outfit in the League Cup 1st round.

Sprowston Rovers, who manager Brown used to play for many years ago, have developed into a somewhat better side since then and were on good form coming into the game on the back of a 1-0 win over Doghouse the week before.

The Bell Inn were unbeaten in a while too with their last loss coming at the hands of AFC Wanderers in the County Cup.

With a few players absent and a couple of others picking up injuries for feeder club Mulbarton Wanderers the previous day, the Bell Inn had a squad of just 12 as Brown decided he was too cold to get changed and stuck to managing.

This left the other half of the Bell Inn management team, Neil Anderson, as the only substitute for the Bell Inn.

In the starting 11, we had 4 hungover players, two majorily hungover (mentioning no names) and a very shocked Jesse Payne-Wilkins, who was playing in his preferred position of striker for the first time since 2008.

Sprowston started the best and had complete control of the game for the first 20 minutes, forcing some decent saves from Ant Howell along with some solid defending from the back four.

The Bell Inn were limited to counter attacks and the first goal of the game came from one of these, as Dale Simpson weaved through the home sides defence and won a penalty.

Newly-formed right back Joe Pattison was given the responsibility with usual penatly taker Josh Farrow injured, and cooly slotted home sending the keeper the wrong way.

It was a huge risk by the management giving Pattison the penalty as his last one was in last season’s County Cup Quarter Finals. With the score at 1-1, Pattison attempted a dinky chip which was caught with ease by the goalkeeper.

The Bell Inn now had a bit of belief about themselves and matched Sprowston for the rest of the half.

Players for both sides were getting booked all over the place, sometimes for very debatable things, but a good atmosphere between the teams made sure the game stayed under control.

HT – Sprowston Rovers 0 v 1 Bell Inn

More of the same was asked for by Brown and Anderson and the team didn’t disappoint.

Solid defending, easily the best we have seen from the side this season, kept Sprowston at bay as the Bell Inn pushed forward to try and make it two.

This finally happened after 65 minutes, after a quality through ball from Payne-Wilkins found top scorer Simpson, who casually placed the ball under the keeper and made the score 2-0.

Pattison then went close with a 50 yard run from right back, with Calvin Butler and Payne-Wilkins also nearly getting on the score sheet.

Anderson came on for Ward to see out the game, or that is what we thought.

With 8 minutes remaining, Sprowston got a deserved goal back as the Bell Inn looked to hang on for their lives with the clock ticking.

Unfortuntely, a soft penalty was awarded with just 2 minutes left and the Sprowston captain made no mistake to put the scores level.

With the game about to go into extra time, Adam Brown picked up his second booking and was sent off for the first time in this career.

Final Score – Sprowston 2 v 2 Bell Inn

(Pattison, Simpson)

A good draw for the Bell Inn against a decent Sprowston side. The defending was superb, front to back, as everyone worked their socks off.

The game did go to extra time, we did lose 7-2 in the end, but we won’t mention that.

PLAYER RATINGS

Ant Howell – 7 – Very solid first 90 minutes.

Joe Pattison – 9 – MAN OF MATCH – I have personally turned his kid into one of Norfolk’s best right backs.

Marc Garrod – 8 – Crucial interceptions, headers, tackles.

Danny Bland – 8 – Same as Garrod. Make a good pairing.

Danny Moore – 8 – Dodgy first 10 minutes but regained composure and had probably his best Bell Inn game to date.

Liam Ward – 7 – Worked hard up and down the wings, played the simple ball.

Jack Tarrant – 7 – His usual self but still drunk. Was caught on camera pole dancing in the warm up.

Adam Brown – 7 – Skipper for the day, linked up well with the strikers, harsh red card.

Calvin Butler – 7 – Made countless of chances when going forward.

Jesse Payne-Wilkins – 8 – Best position is up front. Will keep his place.

Dale Simpson – 9 – Sprowston couldn’t deal with him at times.

SUBS

Neil Anderson – 1 – Came on at 2-0 up, came off at 7-2 down.

Tom Brown – 2 – Didn’t even get changed but still did a better job than Anderson.

FANS

Phil Garrard – 8 – Thanks for providing the cheese biscuits but would not run the line.

Michelle Raven (aka Dale Simpson) – 9 – Was heard screaming at Dale countless times and also gave Brown some useful insight on how bad one of his defenders is. Will be assisting Brown and Anderson next week as their Assistant Manager.

Next week the Bell Inn face St Faiths, the only side to beat them in the league so far this season.

With just 9 games to go this season, every game is now massive and after some close studying, 7 wins SHOULD win us the title.

Next week will see the return of a few players as the Bell Inn look to go into the Christmas break top of the league.

Kind regards,

Tom ‘who needs Donovan in defence when you have Pattison’ Brown.