THE two sides met again in the HFA Cup after the first game a fortnight ago had to be abandoned when the Bell Inn top goalscorer Tony Reynolds broke his leg with just two minutes left.

BELL INN '98 2, ST RICHARDS CASTLE 1

The score in the first encounter was a very tight 3-3 and both sides knew that it was going to be another hard fought game for the right to play the Black Horse in the last 16.

The game started at a brisk pace with both sides going close, the midfield combination of Evans and Osbourne working well to force a couple of early chances for Cooke and Beech up front. It was Dave Beech who opened the scoring after rifling in a shot from 35 yards after playing a neat one-two with man of the match Evans.

But as in the first game whenever the Bell scored Castle struck back immediately, as Simpson scored after a great cross from Burns.

The Bell defence being superbly marshaled by the towering figure of Allen at sweeper and the ever youthful Argent, Febrey and Gabb giving great support.

It wasn't until the half hour that the Bell were able to force home their superiority and Evans scored a tap in after Ben Ledbury dribbled past a non-existent defence and drilled in an inch perfect cross for what turned out to be the winner.

Assistant Manager Mike Barnes changed the formation in the 2nd half as the Bell knew that they just had to defend their favoured end and a place in the last 16 for the first time was theirs.

Young Luke Ledbury pulled of a string of fine saves to deny the away team, who showed good spirit throughout. But the whistle came and the Bosbury men had made it.

On Sunday the Bell have an away league game at Callow End.

To find out more about the Bell Inn why not visit their website http: //www.thesoccersite.co.uk/bellinn98.