REPORT: Needham Market 0-3 Quorn
Quorn made the long trip to Suffolk, where goals from Zak Goodson, Zhani Burgess and Simeon Cobourne helped the Reds leap-frog their opponents into third place in the table. This time last season there were two divisions separating the clubs, but Ryan Beswick’s side showed no signs of intimidation as they swept aside Needham Market with a 3-0 victory.
Goodson opened the scoring in the eighth minute, despite Needham Market having the better of the opening exchanges. Beswick picked up a rebound and teed up Quorn’s top scorer to fire into the bottom corner from outside the box. James Bradbrook could only watch in the Marketmen goal as the Reds continued their current hot streak. The Methodists enjoyed a solid spell after the goal, applying pressure to Needham as they sought to build on their lead.
Needham showed why they were pushing for promotion again, taking over the match from the half hour mark and dominating possession through to the end of the match. Despite scarcely having a touch for the rest of the first half, Quorn maintained their defensive shape and soaked up the pressure, with Adam Harrison not having much to do in the visitor’s goal.
Though they seemed content to allow their hosts the lion’s share of possession, Quorn showed they were still a threat. Burgess’ pressing caused a defensive howler, and the flying wingback was able to nip in, stealing a weak backpass, rounding the keeper, maintaining his composure firing into the bottom corner for a 2-0 lead before half time.
Market pushed hard for a way back into the match, introducing Luke Ingram at the break. The prolific midfielder showed why he’s a firm favourite with the home crowd, driving his side forward and looking the most likely goal threat. Once again though, it was Quorn that would find the back of the net.
Kyle Hammond was booked for a perfectly executed Rugby tackle on Deen Master, wrestling the wing back to the ground as he looked to break forward after intercepting an errant pass. From the resulting free kick Quorn quickly switched play to the right wing, and from there pulled the ball back to Cobourne, who was able to prod into the bottom corner for a 3-0 lead.
Cobourne’s strike was his 11th of the season, and his fourth in the past three matches, as he has found the net in each of the current three game winning streak. From there it was all about Quorn’s defensive shape, thwarting a wave of attacks as Silvio Bello, Luke Cox and Mason Frizelle dominated as a defensive wall with Beswick and Finn O’Boyle protecting the back three from midfield. Every player in the blue away strip gave 100% to maintain a first clean sheet in seven weeks.
Billy Kee showed, once again, why he’s an integral part of the current good form, leading from the front and getting back to defend. Harrison’s presence between the sticks was invaluable as well, making an incredible diving save to deny an Ingram free kick. The Quorn shot-stopper was also able to clear off the line when he was wrong-footed by a deflection, throwing a leg out to deny Needham as he was diving the opposite direction.
Market began to run out of steam as Quorn comfortably saw out the last 10 minutes, marking a third straight league win, their longest even streak in step three and consolidating their place in the playoff positions. There’s no respite for Beswick’s side though as the Reds welcome fifth-placed Redditch United on Tuesday evening (19:45 KO). With 11 goals in the past three matches, no team has scored more in the league this season except Spalding United, who sit four points clear at the top of the division.