PREVIEW: Loughborough Students (A)
Where:
Loughborough University Stadium, Holywell Sports Complex, Holywell Park, Loughborough, LE11 3QF
What 3 Words: /// crisp.became.rinse
When:
Saturday 12th of April 2024 (3pm KO)
The first rule of Preview Club is “We don’t talk about the County Cup”.
The second rule of Preview Club is “WE DON’T TALK ABOUT THE COUNTY CUP!”
Despite a disappointing second half against Rugby Town on Saturday, the Reds stretched their unbeaten streak to 11. The Valley’s equaliser was the first goal Quorn had conceded in over ten hours. With 100 goals and 100 points still targets for Ryan Beswick’s side, the Reds make their shortest trip of the season, heading to Loughborough University for a third meeting with the Scholars this season.
Quorn’s Form:
The Reds have been stupendous on their travels this season, winning sixteen and drawing two of their eighteen away games in the league. In that run, Quorn have scored an incredible 46, conceding just eight times. The last three trips have seen 3-0 wins at Darlaston and Rushden, and a 1-0 triumph at Hinckley LR.
Loughborough Student’s Form:
In their previous five league games, the Scholars have only once, a 3-0 defeat at home to Anstey Nomads. However, they’ve only won one of those games as well, a 2-0 triumph at relegation battlers Bedworth United last Saturday. The other three results were draws at Coventry Sphinx (2-2), and at home to Sutton Coldfield Town (1-1) and Sporting Khalsa (0-0). Overall, at the University Stadium, Loughborough have won seven, drawn four and lost seven. They have scored 25 and conceded 28.
One to Watch:
Halim Bangura is the midfield maestro that ran the show in a recent County Cup match, but we wouldn’t know anything about that. Bangura has scored seven goals in 34 matches this season.
Last Time: Quorn 5-1 Loughborough Students (15/10/2024)
A first half blitz set Quorn up for comfortable win as goals from Kobe Hall, Jordan Clarke, Jordan Gough and Zak Goodson sent Quorn in 4-0 up at the break with an own goal making it five before the hour mark. Loughborough added a late penalty consolation.
Hall opened the scoring in the 8th minute. Gough played a long ball up to the powerful striker who cut inside his man and unleashed a curling effort from just inside the box that flew into the far corner.
After a bit of a lull following the goal things picked up again just before the half hour mark. Goodson dropped a corner into the six yard area, that the visitors couldn’t clear, and Clarke was able to force it home for his first goal since returning to the club. Just three minutes later Gough met a Goodson corner with a looping header that made it 3-0.
There was still time for one more moment of brilliance before the break as Goodson scored a deserved goal with a delicate lob over Luke Skinner. The second half followed much the same pattern with Quorn dominating. Cain Noble had a headed effort that was well saved by Skinner, but the fifth goal came when another corner came off defender Richard Allen and squirmed past Skinner.
Tom Allsopp hadn’t had much to do, but was sharp to deny Joshua Strouts as the game wound down. With 10 minutes to play Zach McKenzie brought a man down from behind leaving Referee Sam Wesson little choice other than to award a penalty. Quinton Zolani Dlodlo stepped up to score from the spot.
Ryan Beswick went to his bench and gave a debut to youth team graduate Hari Corbett, bringing the young keeper on for 10 minutes. Hari became the fifth member of the under 18s to make his debut this season, joining Josh Allen, Shaun Rehal, Oscar Marshall and Kian Morrison. Alongside Academy graduate Jack York, who made his 13th appearance last night, it’s clear that Beswick is keen to involve the youngsters at the club.
Tickets (CASH ONLY on the gate):
Adults: £8.00, Concessions: £5.00, Students £2.00, Under 18s: £1.00, Under 16s: Free
Or, tickets can be purchased in advance here.
Car Parking at the university campus has now installed ANPR-charged parking, so please make sure you pay or you will be fined. Please use this link to pre-book car parking or use this link to book on the day car parking:
Travel:
Seriously? Do you really need directions?