REPORT: Long Eaton United 1-1 Quorn

Paddy Webb scored his fourth goal of the season to snatch a dramatic point in the final minute at Grange Park. Quorn had dominated the match, creating numerous chances, only to be repeatedly denied by Ben Allsop in the Blues’ goal.

Quorn applied plenty of early pressure, as the hosts rarely managed to cross the halfway line in the opening exchanges. The Reds were able to send numerous balls in across goal, but United had an answer almost every time, defending well and getting bodies in the way.

Courey Grantham had the best of the early chances, firing in a rasping shot that Allsop batted away. The rebound cannoned off Ryley D’Sena and was heading towards goal, but the defender had just enough time to clear before it crossed the line.

Liam Loughlan was far and away Long Eaton’s best attacking player on the night, and it was through his endeavour that United opened the scoring. Loughlan’s neat run and turn drew defenders, but the forward found enough space to centre for Andrew Wright who struck the ball first time past Tom Allsopp, who could do nothing about the strike.

Quorn responded well and created a couple of good chances to level before the break. Silvio Bello made good progress down the right, but his ball into the centre was fired narrowly over by Grantham. Reece Fyfe was next to be denied by Allsop, again the rebound hit a defender but was cleared off the line.

The Reds pressure mounted following the restart, as Ryan Beswick’s side laid siege to the Long Eaton goal. The player/manager had a direct free kick deflected, which Allsop had to scramble to tip over his own bar.

A last gasp challenge did enough to prevent Grantham from getting a hold of his effort on the hour mark as Quorn continued their onslaught. Grantham turned provider shortly afterwards and played in Webb, but again Allsop proved a thorn in the Methodists’ side.

Mitch White fired in an effort from the edge of the area with 15 minutes to go, but Allsop turned it away with a full stretch save to his left, recovering to make a full stretch to his right from the rebound as it began to look as though he couldn’t be beaten. Beswick was denied once again with a shot from the edge of the box as Allsop continued to play the game of his life.

The breakthrough finally came in the 90th minute, with an equaliser the least Quorn deserved, as Webb arrived late in the box to power a header back across goal and into the corner as Zak Goodson hung up an inviting cross.

Quorn knew that they were by far the better side and pushed for a winner in stoppage time, thinking they had one when Bello poked the ball in three minutes later, only to see the Assistant’s flag raised for an offside in the build-up. It was a frustrating evening for the Reds, but they’ll be relieved to have taken the point in a match they might have won comfortably on another day.

Next up for Beswick’s men is a long trip to Cleethorpes Town for an FA Cup Preliminary Round tie. The Owls have made an impressive start to the season, beating Brighouse Town 5-1 to open their league campaign, having dispatched Kimberley Miners Welfare 7-0 in the extra-preliminary round.