REPORT: Quorn 3-3 Worcester City

By Kurt Barnes

Quorn let a three-goal lead slip against third place Worcester City in a game that was heavily influenced by Storm Darragh’s windy conditions. Quorn struck first through Jordan Clarke in the 12th minute and were soon 3-0 up by the 31st minute. However, Worcester got one back just before half time and Liam Lockett’s second half brace rescued a point for the visitors.

Quorn started the brighter of the two teams in a game which started off very scrappily. Reece Fyfe had an early effort from the edge of the six yard box, only to see his effort sail over. There wasn’t long to wait as the Reds took the lead in the 12th minute through Jordan Clarke. Quorn had won a free kick and Zak Goodson put a delicious delivery to the back post where Clarke was in the right place at the right time to poke it home.

Just eight minutes passed when Quorn once again showed some positive attacking football, winning a penalty which was converted by tenacious midfielder Ryan Beswick to make it 2-0. The wind was certainly on the team’s side during the first half and just minutes later Goodson was in a good position and fired a shot just over the bar from range.

Not long afterwards, Quorn were in again and a complete mix up from Worcester at the back, saw Worcester keeper, Haydn Whitcombe turn the ball into his own net for 3-0. The third goal for Quorn woke Worcester up and they finally started to come into the game. They pulled one back on the 37th minute after a lovely bit of attacking football which saw Elliot Hartley’s header find its way into the back of the net.

This reduced the deficit and sent a warning to Quorn that the job wasn’t finished and showed why Worcester had started the day in third place. Just before the break Quorn had a chance to restore their three goal advantage when Cain Noble received the ball after a good bit of attacking football, however he was unlucky to see his low driven shot go just wide.

The second half was started well by Worcester who were searching for a way back into this game. The first 20 minutes were very scrappy and unfortunately Quorn weren’t able to show anymore of the scintillating football they had shown in the first half. This may have been down to the poor weather conditions which were now favouring the away side after a switch of ends.

Worcester had nearly reduced the deficit when Tom Allsopp was called into action in the 66th minute, making a very good save. However, Worcester continued to show why they are a massive threat and eventually found themselves just one goal behind when Liam Lockett scored in the 78th minute. This ensured that it would be a very long nervous end to the game for Quorn and the supporters who were watching on.

Unfortunately, Quorn weren’t able to get any sort of rhythm going and Worcester made it 3-3 in the 86th minute. Liam Lockett had his second of the game, a lovely long-range goal. A highly entertaining game came to an end which unfortunately Quorn couldn’t hold onto to their lead. A point against a team in third place can still be considered as a good result against a decent team, considering the poor conditions. With Corby Town inactive, the Reds stretched their lead at the top of the table to 10 points, reaching the midway point of the season without tasting defeat.

Next up for the Reds is an away tie against Coventry Sphinx. Sphinx find themselves at the wrong end of the table in 16th, just five points away from the relegation zone. The Reds will know not to take them lightly though, as the only other side to score more than one goal against them in the league so far this season.