REPORT: Quorn 2-2 Anstey Nomads

By Dan Sheward

Quorn FC came away with draw against Anstey Nomads at the Stotto stadium as they completed their 4th game of the pre-season campaign.

Utilising the pre-season fixtures to get the whole squad up to speed, there were eight changes from the side that started against Hinckley in the previous fixture. It was a decent turn out as the Stotto stadium held an attendance of 203 on Tuesday night.

Finding a way through:

Ryan Beswick’s side were attacking the DPD end in the first half as the game started fairly scrappily. The Reds had a chance fairly early on to take the lead as Jordan Clarke carried the ball down the left-hand side of the pitch, playing it to Simeon Cobourne, who managed to get the ball in to the box. Unfortunately, a Joe Lyne missed his connection in the box and the chance was gone. There were positive signs from the Reds though as they pushed to take the lead.

Cobourne and Clarkes link up in the first half was working well and causing problems in transition but still there was no way through a stubborn Anstey Nomads defence.

It was Nomads who could have taken the lead next, however they also missed a golden opportunity. A ball whipped in from a free kick on the right-hand side found Anstey’s number 5, Lewis Gibbens unmarked at the back post. Fortunately for Quorn his effort flew over the crossbar. A wake-up call for the Reds as Anstey were looking dangerous from set pieces.

There were two injuries that resulted in substitutions in the first half, one for each team. Quorn’s, Jasper Tetlow came off with a bloody nose following a strong duel. For Anstey it was Henry Bestwick who was helped off the pitch with an ankle injury.

Heading into injury time in the first half, it was Anstey Nomads who managed to find the breakthrough. Following a cleared corner, the away team managed to put the ball back in the box thanks to a cross from Anstey captain Jordan Annable. After making its way through a crowd of bodies it was Liam Murphy who got the final touch to guide the ball into the back of the net.

A better half:

Zak Goodson was the only player to come on at half time for Quorn as he replaced Deen Master. It was a much livelier start to the second half for the Reds as Cobourne won a penalty three minutes after the restart. Goodson stepped up to take the penalty and, as cool as you like, placed the ball into the bottom right-hand corner, drawing the sides level.

After a decent spell in the game, it was time for fresh legs. Five subs were made for Quorn as Ryan Beswick’s side searched for a winner. The ball had a lot more zip in it as the rain fell hard at the Stotto Stadium, but the game was only heating up. Nomads came close to retaking the lead after some excellent hold up play from former Red Courey Grantham set up Danny Gordan whose shot went just over the crossbar.

Shortly after it was Quorn who hit back with a response, Jack Samples had an effort turned round the post by a good save. Last week’s star man Oscar Marshall did well to win the ball in the middle of the park and start the dangerous attack. A corner to Quorn. The corner routine was executed perfectly, a smart, low driven ball into the box saw Mason Frizelle finish into the bottom far corner in the 89th minute.

There were four minutes added on and for Quorn they were four minutes too many. After a soft free kick was awarded to Nomads, a ball in to the box and a scrappy bit of play led to Josh Burniston curling in a superb equaliser.

It was an unfortunate end to the game for Quorn but there were plenty of positives. The Reds demonstrated some great fight to come back into the game and take the lead and it was a good chance for the players to experience a feisty game in pre-season, to ready them for step three. By no means was it your ordinary friendly. The fixture ended with four goals, four yellow cards and four players going to A&E (with two each on all counts). A speedy recovery to all of those who picked up a knock.