REPORT: Stamford AFC 1-0 Quorn

Image courtesy of Rob O’Brien

By Dan Sheward

Quorn’s play-off hopes took a blow despite a late fight with nine men as Alexander Collard scored the only goal of the game for hosts. With just four games remaining and a play-off place still firmly in sight, Quorn travelled to face Stamford AFC on Monday. Billy Kee returned to the starting XI as the Reds looked to take a vital step towards the end of season play-off positions.

The visitors received an early warning when Stamford had the ball in the net inside the opening minutes, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside, a moment that served as a slight wake up call for Quorn. Stamford began the brighter of the two sides and continued to apply early pressure. Their No.10 Leon Lobjoit, cut inside from the left and forced a strong save from Adam Harrison, who reacted well to tip the effort over the bar.

Quorn’s first promising moment came in the 10th minute when Billy Kee battled his way towards goal, almost forcing his way through the Stamford defence before his shot was blocked twice. Despite that brief moment, Stamford remained on top for much of the opening period. Harrison was called into action again to deal with a dangerous cross from the right, ensuring the ball did not develop into a serious threat as Quorn struggled to gain any control during the first 25 minutes.

An attacking opportunity for Quorn arrived when Finn O’Boyle worked space from a short corner. Zak Goodson’s shot was sliced into the path of Prince Mancinelli, but his effort flew well over the bar. Stamford’s pressure eventually paid off in the 33rd minute when Alex Collard gave the hosts a deserved lead. A free kick delivery to the back post found a red shirt, and the ball was whipped back across goal where Collard was on hand to tap home from close range to make it 1–0.

Quorn found it difficult to create meaningful chances before half time, with the midfield battle proving to be scrappy and neither side settling into any real spells of possession. While there were brief glimpses of promising football from Quorn, they struggled to turn those moments into genuine threats on goal. At half time, Stamford had a deserved advantage, with Quorn needing a strong second-half response.

The hosts again started the brighter after the restart. Stamford’s George Hobbins came close to producing a moment of brilliance, weaving past several Quorn shirts before firing narrowly wide from the left side of goal. Quorn began to improve as the half progressed. O’Boyle saw a shot blocked before another effort drifted off target as the Reds started to build momentum in the attacking half. In the 65th minute, Billy Kee was replaced by Gus Sanches as Quorn searched for a way back into the contest.

Moments later Harrison produced a stunning save to keep his side in the game. Lobjoit had once again broke through the defence and beat Frizelle before taking a close range effort, but Harrison reacted brilliantly to push the ball away. The rebound was then fired over the bar.

Quorn’s task became far more difficult soon after when Luke Cox was shown a red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity after pulling down his man following a long ball over the top. Things went from bad to worse minutes later when Finn O’Boyle was also dismissed for an incident off the ball, leaving Quorn to continue the match with nine men. Cain Noble was withdrawn shortly afterwards, with Simeone Cobourne entering the action.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Quorn showed impressive resilience and arguably produced their most dangerous spell of the game. Goodson came close to drawing the sides level but fired over from a tight angle after working space inside the area.

Stamford nearly sealed the victory late on when Kai Sanchez – Tonge found space in the box, only to send what looked like a certain goal wide of the post. Harrison was called into action one final time in the closing stages, tipping over another dangerous effort after a defensive mix up. It was a disappointing afternoon for Ryan Beswick and his team, but there is no doubt the Reds will give it their all in these last three games to give one last push for those play-off spots.