PREVIEW: Barwell (A)
By Dan Sheward
When: Saturday 27th December (15:00 KO)
Where: The Crown Skip Hire Stadium, Kirkby Road, Barwell, Leicestershire, LE9 8FQ
After three straight home games, the Reds make the short trip to Barwell for the final Leicestershire derby of the season.
Quorn’s Form:
Despite the disappointing result last weekend, before that, Ryan Beswick and his team had won their last 5 games in all competitions. Quorn currently sit 3rd in the table on an impressive 40 points, with a 5-point cushion in the play-off spots going into Christmas. A tough contest against Worcester City, that saw a Quorn side put up a valiant fight, despite having to cancel training in the week because of several players suffering from a virus, ended the winning streak, with the away team sealing a 4-2 win. Finn O’Boyle got his name on the scoresheet again, making that the 3rd consecutive game he has found the back of the net.
Opposition team:
Barwell, currently sitting 14th, will host The Reds for the Christmas fixture. Last time out, The Canaries earned a good point away at St. Ives Town. Barwell trailed early on after Theo Alexandrou scored for The Ives inside 8 minutes. However, heroics from Jevin Seaton earned his team a point as he drew the score level in the 81st minute. It proved to be an important goal as the two sides currently share the exact same number of points as they attempt to propel themselves further from the relegation zone.
The opposition side has won 4 times out of a possible 11 games at home this season, aiming to improve that record this Saturday. It hasn’t been a great time to be a Barwell fan as the Canaries have only won once in their last seven games. Amongst that run is an impressive draw at home to Harborough Town though, but heavy away defeats to Bury Town and Bishop’s Stortford are where they’ve been left disappointed.
Last Meeting:
Barwell managed to get the better of Quorn last time round when they visited the Stotto Stadium on the August Bank Holiday early in the season. The game ended 1-0 with the goal coming from Prince Mancinelli, who will be suspended for this fixture following a recent red card, in the 53rd minute. With the opposition earning all three points that day, the Reds will no doubt look to get their own back.
One to Watch:
Anthony Dwyer is one to watch for this fixture. Despite only scoring in four different fixtures this season, Dwyer is the clubs leading goal scorer this season with nine goals. Five of those came in one game, when Barwell beat Stratford Town 5-2. Dwyer, a vastly experienced forward whose previous clubs include; Telford United, Hednesford Town, Nuneaton Borough, Leamington, Alfreton Town and Rushall Olympic, hasn’t scored in seven matches since that five goal haul, so he’ll be keen to get back on the scoresheet.
Ticket Prices:
Adults £12.00
Concessions £8.00
Under 16s £4.00
Under 11s Free
Travel:
Head out of Quorn on Woodhouse Road, through the villages of Woodhouse and Woodhouse Eaves. After passing Beacon Hill, turn left onto the B591 towards Copt Oak. Turn right at the island onto Shaw Lane, in the direction of Bardon Hill. At the next island take the first exit onto Beveridge Lane, and left again at the next island onto West Lane. Head straight over the next two islands and turn left at the lights outside Pall-Ex. Take the first right into Wood Road and continue into the village of Nailstone, taking the last left onto the A447 (the Hinckley Road). Stay on the A447 for approximately six miles, through the village of Stapleton, turning left onto Stapleton lane just after you exit the village. Turn left into Kirkby Road after about a mile. The entrance is on the right, about a third of a mile up the road.