REPORT: Quorn 3-0 Wellingborough Town
By Kurt Barnes
Quorn were crowned league champions on Saturday afternoon, after a comfortable 3-0 win at home to Wellingborough Town. The Reds then had to endure nine minutes waiting for the full-time whistle at Corby Town before the celebrations could begin. A 0-0 draw for the Steelmen at home to Coleshill Town meant that Quorn’s 22-point lead at the top of the division couldn’t be overturned as Ryan Beswick’s side secured the title with six games to spare.
A bumper crowd arrived at the Stotto Stadium on Non-League Day, knowing that history could be made for the Reds, and first half goals from Paddy Webb and Luca Alonzi were enough to ensure that the home side held up their end of the bargain.
Wellingborough started slightly better in the first 15 minutes giving the Reds a very physical test. Quorn’s first real chance of note came on the 19th minute when Jack Samples got down the left hand side and put in a cross that found Zak Goodson, but the forward’s effort was blocked.
They wouldn’t be denied for long though as the first goal arrived in the 23rd minute. Webb received the ball in a dangerous position inside the box, driving his effort into the bottom corner. The celebrations began in earnest, with the gathered supporters aware of the stalemate in Northamptonshire. A sudden deluge could do little to dampen the enthusiasm, though did send supporters running for shelter.
Tom Allsopp was called into action when he made the first of two important saves, keeping his side in front. Two goals in three minutes put the Reds in command before the break, as Webb forced the ball in after a goalmouth scramble in the 40th minute, before Alonzi took advantage of a loose Wellingborough pass to fire beyond a despairing Ash Bodycote in the Town goal.
The second half started with the Reds having an early freekick. Jasper Tetlow found himself on the end of the ball that was floated in but his effort went just wide. Quorn had another chance just a couple of minutes later when Alonzi lashed an effort on goal from a tight angle only to see it was well blocked.
Quorn did a very good job of seeing out the game, restricting Wellingborough to a handful of limited opportunities. There was a late chance in the 85th minute for substitute Courey Grantham, who’s fierce attempt at goal was saved well. The rebound fell kindly to the returning forward, who tried an audacious overhead kick, only to see that cleared off the line.
With the final whistle blown, the nervy wait began as Corby Town’s match edged into seven minutes of added time. Prolonging the agony, an additional two minutes were added as the Reds huddled on the Farley Way pitch. When the result was finally confirmed the jubilant celebrations began with the players donning championship t-shirts as they danced and sang in a shower of champagne.
The trophy is expected to be awarded following the next home game as the Reds host Rugby Town on the 5th of April. There’s still work to be done for Beswick and his side as they look to reach 100 goals scored and become only the second side to reach 100 points in the division in a single season.