PREVIEW: Worcester City (A)
By Dan Sheward
Life in Step Three finally commences this Saturday as Quorn travel to Worcester City, for their first league game of the season.
Travelling down to Sixways Stadium to face a familiar side in Worcester City, Ryan Beswick will be hoping to kick off life in step three with a big three points. After a positive, unbeaten, pre-season, The Reds will be feeling sharp and ready for the 3pm kick off this Saturday.
The games come thick and fast, as next Tuesday the Reds take on Stourbridge in the first home game of the season in a 7:45pm kick off. Stourbridge finished 9th in the division last season so it will no doubt be a tough test for Beswick’s side. Get down to the Stotto Stadium and let’s make it hard for them!
Quorn wrapped up pre-season last Saturday with a 1-1 draw away to Alfreton Town. Going toe to toe with a Step Two side will hopefully be filling the lads with confidence as they ready themselves for the start of a long, competitive season.
The Opposition
Worcester City are a familiar side to Ryan Beswick’s Reds, being in the same league as Quorn last year finishing 4th but gaining promotion in the play-offs with a 2-1 win over Corby Town. It was late drama in that play-off final as was it scoreless in the game until Zach Guinan and Felix Miles both scored for the Blues with thirteen minutes to go. Reuben Marshall managed to pull one back for Corby Town, however, it was too little too late as Worcester City managed to see out the game and gain promotion to step three.
It will be quite the atmosphere for the first game of the season as Quorn travel to the Sixways Stadium. Having a capacity of 12,067, the ground has the makings to create and intimidating atmosphere. There was an attendance of 2,766 for the play off final between Worcester City and Corby, with the blues making up the majority. There’s no doubt there will be a good number of home supporters turning up to get behind the team as they take on their first game of the step three season.
City will be full of confidence going into the game as they had a more than convincing end to their pre-season. The blues put just the ten goals past AFC Kempsey as they retained the HFA Invitational Cup for the second year running with a 10-0 win. They claimed their first goal just ten minutes in as the two play-off final goal scorers combined to put them in the lead, the goal coming from Zac Guinan.
Last Game:
The Reds final pre-season game ended 1-1 away at Alfreton Town. The step two side took the lead in the game as Siyabonga Ligendza scored in the 27th minute to put the home side in front. However, it only took Quorn ten minutes to respond after our number seven Zak Goodson capitalised from the penalty spot to draw the score level.
We also announced two additions to the squad for the upcoming season prior to kick off. Finn O’Boyle joined from Wigan Athletic after he displayed an exciting debut in our 3-1 win against OJM. Dennis Digie also joins the Reds after some impressive performances on trial. He scored a lovely goal against OJM. It’s a pleasure to have both Finn and Dennis on board and we’re all excited to see them perform for the team come Saturday.
Head-to-Head:
Quorn faced City twice last season in the league, the first of the meetings coming away at the County Sports Ground. The champions put up a convincing display as Quorn won the game 4-1 with goals coming from; head coach Ryan Beswick, Courey Grantham, Paddy Webb and Zak Goodson.
The next game being a far more competitive one felt like two points dropped for the Reds. After going 3-0 up in the first thirty minutes of the game, City clawed back and ended the game all square at 3-3 thanks to two late goals from Liam Lockett.
With the new season starting, Quorn will hope to replicate their away performance against City from last season this Saturday.
Tickets:
Adults: £14.00
Concessions & Students: £9.50
Youths (12 - 17 year olds): £5.00
Juniors (Under 12s accompanied by adult): £3.00
Travel:
Leave Quorn and drive through Loughborough and out on the A512 towards Shepshed, continuing through to the outskirts of Ashby. Take A42 South and follow as it becomes the M42 South. Remain on the M42 until it merges with the M5, heading south. Remain on the motorway until junction six, exiting on the slip road and taking the fifth exit at the roundabout, onto Pershore Lane. At the next roundabout, take the first exit onto Warriors Way and follow signs for matchday car parking.