PREVIEW: Corby Town (H)
By Will Phillips
When: Saturday 4th October (1:30PM KO)
Where: The Stotto Stadium, Farley Way, Quorn LE12 8RB
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Quorn open their Isuzu FA Trophy campaign at home against Corby Town. The Steelmen remain at step four in the NPL Midlands Division, where they were runners-up to the Reds last season. They currently sit third in the league with a game in hand on second placed Rugby Borough.
Quorn’s Form:
The Reds have won two of their last three at home including a late 2-1 comeback against Bromsgrove Sporting in the league and another more comfortable 2-1 win in the FA Cup versus Kettering Town. The Methodists did suffer a 2-1 loss at home to Royston Town sandwiched in between those results.
Overall Quorn’s form has dipped since the start of the season after an impressive four games undefeated. The Bank Holiday Leicestershire Derby versus Barwell saw a 1-0 defeat for the Methodists, and since then Beswick’s side has managed two wins and two losses in the league. The Reds have created plenty of chances, and can consider themselves unlucky in each of the defeats, creating more than enough chances to win matches, including the ill-feted 5-1 defeat away to Enfield Town on Saturday.
The Opposition:
With six victories under their belt already, no one has won more games in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division so far this season. Their most recent fixture saw a 1-1 draw against Quorn rivals Anstey Nomads. The Cropston Road side took an early lead from the penalty spot, before former Red Courey Grantham was sent off. The Steelmen took full advantage, scoring a second half equaliser against the Nomads’ 10 men.
The Steelmen have played two games in the Trophy so far this season against Lichfield town away from home which finished 2-1 for Corby, and a 3-0 win against Sutton Coldfield Town at home. On the books of Luton Town when they won League One, Connor Tomlinson scored three across both of these games.
The opposition have been especially prolific away from home this season, winning six in a row in all competitions, before a 3-0 defeat at Rugby Borough. They bounced back from that with a 5-1 thrashing of Shepshed Dynamo, before last weekends draw at Anstey.
Head-to-head:
The Reds and the Steelmen played each other last in a friendly over the summer, with Quorn beating Corby at home 2-1, thanks to a late brace from Zak Goodson.
This follows a game in the league on the 1st of February which saw Quorn runaway winners 3-0 at home, doing the double over Town after previously beating them 0-2 at Steel Park earlier in the season.
One to watch:
The Reds will have to put the brakes on Tyrone Lewthwaite if they want to progress into the first round proper for just the second time in club history. Lewthwaite has scored five times so far this season and is the clubs current joint top goal scorer. He was also on the scoresheet against Quorn in the friendly over the summer. Lewthwaite joined Corby from Spalding United over the summer and has impressed fans and neutrals alike.
Admission Prices*:
Adults £12.00
Concessions £9.00
Under 16s £3.00
Under 14s Free
*Please note that Season Tickets are not valid for this fixture due to revenue sharing procedures in cup competitions