REPORT: Quorn 1-1 Lutterworth Town (3-1 Pens)
By Kurt Barnes
Quorn won a close fought affair against a Lutterworth Town team who looked to frustrate them. Lutterworth struck first but just moments later 18 year old Oscar Marshall scored for the second game in a row to ensure the game went to a penalty shootout, that the Reds won 3-1 to advance to the semi-finals of the County Cup.
Both teams started this game with real intensity, with Quorn looking the slightly brighter of the two teams winning an early corner. This unfortunately didn’t come to much. Lutterworth had the first shot of the game which was a wild one. Quorn then came forward in the 8th minute and drew Lutterworth into making a foul, resulting in a free kick. Jack York was very unlucky not to have scored, forcing a good save from the Lutterworth keeper Jake Alley. The first half seemed a real battle from both teams, with Quorn having some good possession but on occasions unable to make the right pass.
The second half was started well by Lutterworth Town and they got in first, with Brandon Williams getting a shot off after being outmuscled, luckily for Quorn his shot went over. Lutterworth then had a corner which fortunately for the Reds didn’t come to much.
Quorn then started to grow into it and had a great opportunity to counter and a lovely ball in was nearly turned in for an own goal by Town. The Reds had a fantastic chance when Marshall hit the side netting but was judged to be in an offside position anyway.
The chances continued When Jack Samples fed the ball through to Josh Allen whose curled effort came very close. Despite the team starting to grow into the game it was Lutterworth who took the lead on the 74th minute when Elliot Butler slipped through the defence and slotted past Tom Allsopp in the goal who was very unlucky to have been beaten.
Fortunately the lead for Lutterworth only lasted 60 seconds as Marshall scored a brilliant goal from a tight angle. He is certainly enjoying himself at the minute, scoring in the last two games now. Lutterworth forced Allsop into a great save late on and then Quorn had a late opportunity to win the game when Cain Noble’s shot was brilliantly saved by Alley. Their keeper was at it again in the dying moments keeping them in the game with another save to ensure the game was taken to a penalty shootout.
Quorn converted all three of their penalties through Reece Fyfe, Mason Frizelle and Marshall, and with super shot-stopper Allsopp making two fantastic penalty saves, the contest was over quickly.
The win means that the Reds have a massive semi-final tie which will be played at Holmes Park in early 2025. They will now turn their attention to Saturday's game against playoff chasing Worcester City who will be a tough test. A good crowd is expected and everyone needs to put in a very good performance, with the hope of extending thier unbeaten league start to 20 games.