REPORT: Quorn 1-1 Tamworth

Ryan Beswick’s side continued their preseason preparations with a creditable draw at home to National League side Tamworth. Joe Lyne opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a header from Jasper Tetlow’s scrambled ball across the box. Former Coventry City and Wrexham striker Jordan Ponticelli levelled the scores in the second half with a composed finish.

Tamworth were the dominant team throughout the contest, but didn’t have it all their own way as the NPL Midlands Division winners showed their steel throughout the match, frustrating their visitors as the evening went on.

Tom McGlinchey came close to opening the scoring in the early exchanges, but his thundering drive crashed back off Tom Allsopp’s near post, with the rebound fired wide. Tyler Roberts had a headed effort in the 17th minute, but couldn’t keep it down as the Reds survived another scare.

 Deen Master took over free kick duties in the 20th minute, didn’t trouble Jas Singh as his direct effort sailed over the bar. Haydn Hollis received a yellow card for a handball shortly afterwards, and Zak Goodson picked out Tetlow at the near post. The centre half found his route to goal blocked, so put a ball into the back post where Simeon Cobourne attempted an overhead kick. Lyne got his head to the ball first though and bundled it over the line for an opener against the run of play.

Cobourne almost got his goal in the 35th minute when he beat his man and drove into the box. Good defensive work narrowed his angle though and the pacey forward shot into the side-netting. Tetlow forced a save from Singh just before the break as his goal-bound header was pushed away. Deen Master also saw an effort go narrowly wide after good work on the left. At the other end the Quorn goal was living a charmed life as the Lambs hit the woodwork four times on the night.

Whilst the first half had seen Tamworth’s FA Cup heroes shade a competitive contest, the visitors piled the pressure on after the break. Quorn held out resolutely until the 62nd minute when half time substitute Ponticelli scored his second goal of preseason in as many appearances.

The Lambs probed desperately in search of a winner before Quorn reestablished a foothold in the match in the final fifteen minutes. Allsopp was kept the busier of the two keepers’ but proved equal to the challenge as the Reds showed why they were so difficult to beat last season with a solid defensive effort.

There’s very little time for Quorn to reflect on the performance though, as Hinckley AFC visit The Stotto Stadium on Thursday evening (10th of July 2025, 19:45 KO). It’s all pay on the gate, with cash or card accepted. Admission is £8.00 for adults, £5.00 for concessions and free for Under 16s.