REPORT: Quorn 3-1 OJM Birmingham

By Dan Sheward

Quorn defeated step six OJM Birmingham 3-1 at the Stotto Stadium in their last home pre-season clash before the start of the season. The visitors took an early lead but Ryan Beswick’s free kick levelled things before the break. Dennis Digie stroked a late winner in with seven minutes left to play, and Luke Cox added a header to put some gloss on the result.

A Tricky Start

After a scrappy start to the game, just over eight minutes in saw a threaded pass through to OJM’s Jordan sangha. An effort from the number seven was superbly stopped by Quorn’s Tom Allsopp however, the rebound fell to Manny Olaloko who was there to finish the golden chance. A tough start to the game for Quorn.

Quorn looked to respond quickly with a nice attack resulting in a ball across the box to Ryan Beswick’s who’s effort was closed down and blocked quickly. A positive response from the Reds.

OJM continued to apply pressure on the Reds after winning the ball in midfield resulted in a driving run and effort from range by the oppositions number eleven, Emeraude Kabongo. Thankfully for Quorn, Allsopp was alert to make a good stop and keep the goal margin to just one.

Quorn’s Trialist B looked to set himself for a shot just outside the box but was brought down before he could pull the trigger. Beswick stood up to take the free kick and, cool as you like, placed the ball into the top right-hand corner. A great hit from the gaffer drawing the Reds level.

Just over twenty minutes in the game looked to be a competitive one with both sides creating chances and capitalising from them. As the game approached the halfway point, a free kick by OJM’s captain forced a nice save from Allsopp, taken from an ambitious distance. Quorn responded with a good attack, a lovely ball in from Trialist A on the left found Trialist B at the far post. A decent effort from the unmarked Red hit the outside of the post, with more positive signs coming from the home team.

A great chance just on the stroke of half time saw Zak Goodson with some excellent footwork in the box, spin his man and come face to face with the keeper. Unfortunately, his effort was saved and tipped out for a corner. A nice move from Quorn’s number 11.

What was a fair contest between both teams saw the two sides head in at half time with one goal apiece. Both teams were hungry for a goal to put them in the lead however, lots of half chances were proving to be not enough for the two sides.

Second Half

The Reds made two changes at half time, Ryan Beswick and Silvio Bello made way for Cieron Keane and Trialist C. The Stotto Stadium hosted an attendance of 159 on the evening. The second half kicked off with an OJM free kick testing Tom Allsopp but yet again Quorn’s number one was alert to make a nice stop.

A trigger to release the counter by Allsopp from a drop kick found Trialist A, who took the ball down fantastically. A nice move down the left-hand side resulted in an effort from Trialist C who’s shot went just wide of the left post. Shortly after Cieron Keane tried his luck with an effort from distance, a powerful effort which shot just wide.

Trialist B made way for Mason Frizelle with just over half an hour to go, both sides still looking for a goal to put them in the lead. A late tackle from OJM’s number three Dominic Latham on Jack samples results in a yellow card for the player. Quorn with the more positive half as they produced some nice moves as the game wore on. Another Sub was made for Quorn as Adi Yussuf left the pitch to be replaced by Rodrigo Goncalves.

Both sides battled well in the middle of the park, but it proved to be a struggle for each side to make clear cut chances. The game began to heat up with frustrations growing and the game approaching its conclusion. The ref drew yellow again, this time for Cieron Keane after a late tackle just outside the box. A dangerous effort from the free kick took a big deflection, dipping just over the crossbar.

Almost for Quorn again, Trialist A who had a lively game, found himself free on the left-hand side. A driven effort across goal forced a quality stop from OJM’s number one. The Reds continued to push for a late winner, looking the better side in the second half.

A lovely ball from the right-hand side found the run of substitute, Trialist C. A composed finish from the number sixteen put Quorn ahead with only a few minutes to the final whistle. Quorn were not done yet. An effort by Luke Cox who had found himself up the pitch put Quorn 3-1 up with just four minutes to go.

A trip to Alfreton Town awaits Quorn in their final preseason test, then it’s on to the matches that really count, with the Reds travelling to Worcester City on the 9th of August to get the Southern League Premier Central season off to a start.