REPORT: Worcester City 0-1 Quorn
Finn O’Boyle came off the bench to score a stoppage time winner for the Reds as Ryan Beswick’s side got off to a winning start in step three.
Worcester City, who were playing their first match at the impressive Sixways Stadium, got off to a fast start, with Niall Flint forcing a save in the second minute. Tom Allsopp, who kept 23 clean sheets last season, was at his best in the afternoon sunshine, and had to be alive to the early danger.
From then on though, the first half belonged to the Reds. Billy Kee was millimetres away from opening his account, as his looping header beat Haydn Whitcombe but came back off the bar.
Beswick, who won the Golden Boot last season with 14 goals, almost scored a trademark free kick in the 16th minute, but saw his effort hit the frame in almost the same spot as Kee’s effort 10 minutes earlier. Kee was on hand to turn in the rebound, but the flag went up immediately to signal that he was in an offside position.
The chances kept coming for the Methodists as Dennis Digie got in behind, but missed his attempted lob from the corner of the box. Zak Goodson’s direct free kick forced a save from Whitcombe, as did Kee with a strike from just inside the area. Digie again found himself in shooting position, hitting the target this time, only for Whitcombe to tip it onto the post. The half time whistle couldn’t come soon enough for the hosts, who looked like wilting in the heat.
An expectant crowd of 1,130 had hoped to see better from the Blues, and they were treated to a vastly improved second half performance, right from the off as Nathan Hayward’s shot was tipped onto the post by Allsopp. Silvio Bello reacted quickest and cleared downfield but was taken out by a dangerous Kyle Belmonte lunge. Bello received lengthy treatment but was able to continue, with the Worcester player receiving a lenient caution.
Both sides created further chances as Goodson got on the end of a cross but couldn’t convert, with Logan Stoddart heading over at the other end. There were also penalty appeals for both sides, as Rodrigo Goncalves was taken out from behind when through on goal, the Referee adjudging the challenge to be a shoulder charge, whilst Worcester appeals were denied when Reece Fyfe used his shoulder in the box to knock a ball away from a Blues player.
Haywood tried his luck again, this time striking the left upright. The rebound fell back to him, aiming for the other side of goal this time, but Allsopp recovered to make the save. The imposing Quorn stopper had to be at his best again, just moments later, racing out to punch a cross away before Stoddart could connect. Allsopp collided with Samples during the incident, with both requiring lengthy treatment.
O’Boyle was introduced with 10 minutes to play, and had a chance in regulation time, but fired his shot high over the bar. The ex-Wigan Athletic forward didn’t have to wait long to make amend though. Chasing down a lost cause, and forcing a mistake as Whitcombe and his defender both hesitated, O’Boyle stole in and went past both with the ball at his feet. From a wide angle, he was able to maintain his composure and hit the empty net, capping a memorable day for himself and Quorn.
It's a quick turnaround for Beswick and his Reds side, with step three stalwarts Stourbridge the visitors to the Stotto Stadium on Tuesday evening (19:45 KO) as Quorn hosts step three football for the first time ever.