REPORT: Quorn 3–2 Redditch United

By Dan Sheward

The Stotto Stadium witnessed a five-goal thriller on Tuesday night as Quorn battled to a hard-earned 3–2 home victory over Redditch United, extending their impressive start to the season. With an unchanged line-up from the weekend, the Reds delivered a performance full of resilience and attacking intent.

FIRST HALF

Quorn flew out of the blocks, setting a fierce tempo and carving out an early chance inside the opening minutes. Zak Goodson, full of confidence after his wonderful goal at the weekend, saw his effort deflect narrowly over the bar.

Despite the bright opening, it was the visitors who struck first. A misplaced pass in midfield gifted Redditch a counterattack, ending with a clinical finish from Fabian Reynolds to put the away side 1–0 up.

Quorn responded superbly and were back level after 10 minutes. Billy Kee showed excellent hold-up play before slipping in Finn O’Boyle, who struck a first-time finish on the end of a late run in to the box, into the far corner for 1–1.

But the frantic pace continued. Redditch regained the lead almost immediately through a Dexter Dudley header, making it 2–1 in a breathless opening.

Refusing to let the game slip away, Quorn’s relentless press paid off when Simeone Cobourne chased down a loose ball and won a penalty. Player/Manager Ryan Beswick stepped up with confidence, sending the keeper the wrong way to restore parity at 2–2.

Moments later, Quorn finally pulled in front. Cobourne, again at the centre of the action, won the ball high and fed O’Boyle, whose strike crashed off the crossbar. Cobourne reacted quickest, diving to head home the rebound and give Quorn a 3–2 lead in what was becoming a wild first half of football.

The final 15 minutes calmed slightly, though Quorn nearly extended their advantage before the break when Billy Kee went through one-on-one, only to drag his finish wide.

Quorn entered the interval deservedly ahead after a breathless, end-to-end half featuring five goals in the opening half hour.

SECOND HALF

Austin Samuels replaced Kee at the break, but the second half took on a very different complexion. The opening period led to a cagey, physical battle with both sides struggling to keep possession.

Cobourne was shown a yellow for a late challenge on the Redditch goalkeeper, before a near-identical incident moments later went unpunished at the opposite end.

Although the second half lacked goals, what It didn’t miss was bite. With Redditch chasing the game and Quorn looking to keep in front, the tempo of the game heated up adding a real sense of grit and fight to the Tuesday night clash.

Beswick, already on the scoresheet was replaced by Reece Fyfe, who was also found his name in the Referee’s notebook for halting a Redditch counterattack, with Bello suffering the same fate, somewhat harshly. Goodson came closest to adding a fourth, bending a dangerous free kick just wide of the near post.

Despite limited chances in the second half, Quorn’s defensive discipline shone through. The back line stood firm, absorbing pressure and preventing Redditch from finding the equaliser, as well as Adam Harrison making some strong saves for the Reds.

FULL-TIME: QUORN 3–2 REDDITCH UNITED

A chaotic but thrilling first half, followed by a determined defensive effort in the second, earned Quorn a valuable three points at the Stotto.