REPORT | Quorn 1-2 Hinckley LR

Quorn ended the season with a home defeat as Hinckley held on for three points, completing the double over the Methodists. Paddy Webb had fired the Reds in to an early lead, but an immediate equaliser from Dom Brennan and Ben Humphreys’ second half strike turned the match around.

Hinckley were unable to clear an early set-piece and Webb was able to pounce, shooting past Will Highland. The lead didn’t last long though as Charlie Woods came for a ball, but was beaten to it and couldn’t make his ground back in time to stop Brennan’s equaliser.

The visitors were on the front foot for an extended stretch, wasting several chances and frustrated by Woods when they did manage to get their shots on target. Humphreys was denied by a superb Woods save, as he tipped his powerful shot on to the crossbar.

Ryan Beswick curled a free kick narrowly wide around the half hour mark as Quorn began to take control of the match. Charlie Marzano and Webb had chances to regain the lead before the break, but neither could keep their efforts down. The main talking point of the first half was a penalty shout as Beswick was felled in the box. The appeals were denied and Hinckley broke at speed, requiring a point-blank save from Woods to keep the scores level.

With 25 minutes to play, Spencer Edwards sent a free kick in to the box, Woods beat Humphreys to the ball, but didn’t get a clean connection under the challenge. The Hinckley midfielder raced to collect the errant punch and was able to curl the ball in to the open goal on the turn from a tight angle.

Webb struck the crossbar with a powerful effort as Quorn looked to respond, and, despite dominating the final twenty minutes, Hinckley were able to hold on for the three points. Regardless of the result, 2023 has been a tremendous season for the Reds, one they will look to continue building upon as they head in to their centenary year. Richard Lavery’s side start 2024 with a difficult trip to face Boldmere St. Michaels on Saturday afternoon.