REPORT: Matlock Town 1-3 Quorn

The Reds came from behind to win a challenging preseason friendly away to the Gladiators, thanks, largely, to a second half hat-trick from a trialist.

As he did in the previous match against Barwell, Ryan Beswick decided on an approach of almost a completely different line-up in each half, with just three players going the distance in the match.

Mason Frizelle, Billy Kee and Zak Goodson were the only returning players to feature in the first half, with new signing Luke Shaw also involved from the off. Quorn managed some of their trademark attacking football in the early exchanges, moving the ball quickly as their endeavour almost paid off, the Matlock Town keeper forced into action.

However, it was the hosts that struck first, Tom Senior tapping in from a good cross as Quorn failed to clear a corner. The Gladiators grew in confidence, and it took a superb save from the Reds’ trialist goalkeeper to limit the damage going into half time.

Beswick made eight changes at the break, with Luke Cox entering the action, but it was at the other end of the pitch that the action was taking place. New signing Jayden-Samuel Lawrence-Lowther took the initiative, beating two men, showing incredible grit and determination to pick out a trialist in the middle, who had a simple finish thanks to the endeavour of the big striker.

Matlock were denied twice by excellent stops from a second trialist keeper, and also had a goal ruled out for offside, but it was the Reds who were now in control of the match. The same trialist was played through on goal, rounding the keeper and notching his second with fifteen minutes left to play. Just five minutes later he completed his hat-trick with a cushioned header.

The match ended 3-1 to the Methodists in near-darkness, with Riber Castle the spectacular backdrop high up in the Derbyshire countryside. Quorn’s next preseason test is away to another step four side, Bedworth United at the Oval on Saturday the 18th of July (3pm KO).