PREVIEW: Anstey Nomads (H)
By Dan Sheward
Up next at the Stotto Stadium, Anstey Nomads FC take on Ryan Beswick’s team who continue to build up fitness and sharpness ahead of the upcoming season in step 3.
With a third consecutive friendly at home, the Reds will hope to pick up a win as the previous two fixtures resulted in well fought draws. However there has been no issue for the lads finding the back of the net in the pre-season, with five goals scored in the last three.
The Reds have five more games to go in the pre-season campaign as the new season gets closer and closer. Fixtures for the 25/26 season are currently scheduled to be released at 1pm on Friday the 18th of July. Quorn fans will be waiting until then to find out who their first opponents are as they take on step 3 football.
Last time out at the Stotto Stadium the Reds managed to come back from a goal down and end the game all square against Hinckley A.F.C. The game ended 2-2, however, it was a promising display from the lads who managed to frustrate the opposition throughout the 90 minutes with a good set up from start to finish.
The Opposition:
The familiar side managed to finish third in the Northern Premier League last year however, despite finishing in the top three it wasn’t enough to beat Ryan Beswick’s side to the title. An impressive 80 points meant that they were 23 points behind the champions when the season concluded.
Having won all three of their pre-season games so far, Nomads will be coming into the game hoping to continue as that streak. Away trips to AFC Mansfield, Hanley Town and Kirby Muxloe saw Anstey victorious on each occasion.
In the 2022/23 season, Anstey Nomads made it all the way to the 4th qualifying round of the FA cup. Although being defeated by, at the time national league, Chesterfield FC. It was an incredible achievement and one that everyone at Anstey Nomads Football Club can be proud of.
Last Game:
The last pre-season game for Quorn came against Hinckley A.F.C. After a fairly scrappy start Beswick’s side managed to take the lead with a goal from close range by Mason Frizelle. Player /manager Ryan Beswick also made his first start in pre-season in the heart of the midfield.
However, the lead was short lived as by half time the opposition managed to grab two goals, putting them in the lead. One a shot that just managed to creep under Tom Allsopp who hadn’t had much to do up until then, and the other a penalty awarded for a push in the back following a corner. Both goals were scored by Hinckley’s number 10, Jared Bradshaw.
The Reds came out in the second half a different team, literally! After seven subs were made during the break, an energised Quorn side applied the pressure as they chased an equaliser. Frustration was growing for Hinckley as Quorn did an excellent job to win the ball in the opposing half, edging closer and closer to a second goal.
Finally, it came after Oscar Marshall managed to put the ball in an empty net with a cool finish following a great press by Quorn and winning the ball from Hinckley’s keeper who got caught on the ball. Marshall was electric all game up and down the right wing, a worthy scorer for the equaliser. The game ended 2-2, Beswick’s side with a great second half managing to come back from a goal down.
Head-to-Head:
Last time the two sides met each other was on the 30th of December 2024. Quorn picking up the away win 3-2. The Reds were two goals up until Anstey managed to grab two goals in seventeen minutes to make the score level. However, Silvio Bello was the hero that night as he scored the winner with a diving header for Quorn in the 97th minute of the game.
Ryan Beswick in a post-match interview described the late winner as ‘the best feeling in the world’. He will hope his side, even though it’s pre-season, put up another worthy performance that sees the Reds pick up a win.
Ticket Prices:
Adults £8.00
Concessions £5.00
Under 16s Free