STAMFORD Bels proved on Saturday what boss Paul Downs has always known.

Downs has long been convinced that Bels would hit form, but not even he could have envisaged the spectacular way in which it happened.

Bels bagged a first success of the campaign when crushing fellow Premier Division winless side Crowland 9-1 in a Lincs Junior Cup first round tie.

Chris Dakin, Mark Knighton and Rhys Ford all struck twice for the Stamford side with Jason Kilbride, Matt Woodman and Steve Ellis completing their bumper haul.

Downs said: "I knew we would click when we had a full side out and that's what happened – I just wish we had three points to show for it rather than it happening in a cup game.

"But you could see the confidence growing among the players as we scored the goals so hopefully things are looking up."

For Crowland chief Peter Harrison this was the worst in a long line of dire displays.

He said: "It was shameful, diabolical and dreadful. Everything that could go wrong did and the naivety and immaturity which came out was not good to see.

"A scoreline like this destroys you, but we all have to stand up and be counted together."

Pinchbeck suffered a first defeat of the season in the same competition, going down 2-1 to BBM.