PREVIEW: Grantham Town (A)
Where:
The South Kesteven Stadium, Trent Road, Grantham, NG31 7XQ
When:
Saturday 8th of February 2024 (3pm KO)
Quorn are back on their travels this weekend, heading east to Lincolnshire as they take on bottom side Grantham Town. Less than seven years ago, they were 90 minutes from step two, but it’s been a torrid few years for the Gingerbreads since. Following relegation from step three in 2022 they narrowly avoided relegation from the NPL East Division last season, finishing just a point above the drop. A lateral shift to the Midlands this season doesn’t appear to have revived their fortunes just yet, as they sit at the foot of the table, twelve points from safety.
Quorn’s Form:
After the home defeat to start 2025, the Reds bounced back with a battling 1-0 win away to Sporting Khalsa, a comprehensive 4-1 win at home to Boldmere St. Michaels and a superlative 3-0 triumph at home to Corby Town in a massive six-pointer. Quorn are once again 19 points clear at the top, knowing that eight more wins from the remaining twelve games would guarantee the title. They won’t be taking Grantham for granted though, and will be hoping that Cain Noble’s current goal glut continues. The energetic midfielder has scored eight in eight, taking his total to 11 for the season, his second straight double-figure output since arriving in the summer of 2023.
Grantham Town’s Form:
The Gingerbreads have gone sixteen games without a win, a run stretching back to a 2-1 victory at home to Coventry Sphinx in mid-October. Grantham have picked up just five points in that spell with 0-0 draws at home to Coleshill Town, AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Lye Town. The other points came from 1-1 draws, at home to Rugby Town and Shepshed Dynamo. The bulk of the goals conceded have come away from home (36), with Grantham allowing a more palatable 23 into their own net in 14 games at The South Kesteven Stadium. At home Town have won two, drawn six and lost six.
One to Watch:
Lewis Darlington took over the lead as the main goalscoring threat for Grantham following the departure of Rodrigo Goncalves. Darlington has scored seven in 25 so far this, including both goals in their most recent win. He hasn’t been on the scoresheet since November though as Town’s struggles have continued. A former Red, Sam Muggleton, is notable for his goals from set-pieces, and a powerful long throw.
Last Time: Quorn 5-0 Grantham Town (05/10/2024)
The rout began with Ryan Beswick scoring a sublime 25 yard free kick in the 14th minute, and doubling the lead just five minutes later as Cain Noble flicked on Zak Goodson’s corner for Beswick to stroke home. Grantham were forced into a double substitution in the 19th minute, and, whilst they managed to stop the goal rush for the rest of the half, they couldn’t stem the tide of attacks. Beswick almost completed his hat-trick, but a superb save from Curtis Hall saw him frustrated.
Goodson’s corners proved a problem for the visitors all day, and Jordan Gough met one with force at the near post in the 56th minute to head in Quorn’s third. Jordan Clarke set up Courey Grantham for the fourth with the powerful striker side-footing in off the far post before the hour mark. The scoring was completed in the 66th minute as Jasper Tetlow played an exquisite through ball for Grantham to convert.
Tickets:
Adults: £10.00, Concessions: £5.00, Under 18s: £3.00, U14s: Free (with a paying adult)
Travel:
Head out through Barrow-Upon-Soar on Melton Road/Paudy Lane, continuing on to Six Hills where you turn right onto Six Hills Lane. Continue as it later becomes Clawson Lane, turning right into Waltham Road at Ironstone Barn. Take the first left into Green Lane and pick up the A607 continuing east.
Enter Grantham passing under the A1, and take the next left onto the A1 South slip road. At the island turn right into Swingbridge Road and Industrial estate, following the road to the end. At the T junction turn left into Trent Road and you will shortly see the ground on the right.