REPORT: Sporting Khalsa 0-1 Quorn

By Kurt Barnes

Quorn won a tight game 1-0 against an inform Sporting Khalsa side who were coming into this on the back of a five-game unbeaten run. Sporting started well and caused the Reds a few problems however a Tom Allsopp masterclass kept Quorn in the match. Cain Noble’s vital goal secured a league double over the team from Willenhall. The result also saw a 13th straight away win in the league.

Quorn were under pressure from the kick-off and Allsopp was called into action straightaway, making a smart save to keep out Khalsa. It was an incredibly quiet start from the Reds who had to endure a tough first half hour from a Khalsa side who looked to frustrate them. In the 17th minute Khalsa were in and should have taken the lead, but fired wide, which would become a theme of the day for the hosts.

The hosts were in again on the 24th minute when a decent attempt on target was blocked, going behind for a corner. It was Khalsa again on the 27th minute when Allsopp was once again called into making a save, this time it was a comfortable one. Khalsa were once again taking the game to the league leaders, in the 28th minute they had another effort but shot wide once again.

Quorn’s first effort of note came on the half hour mark, having ridden the storm, and applying the pressure before the break. Noble had a header from a corner blocked on the line, and eventually cleared to safety. Another corner saw a header from Mason Frizelle, but his effort coasted wide of the post. On the stroke of half time, the Reds had their best chance of the half when top-scorer Zak Goodson broke down the right, driving into the box, only to see his effort expertly saved by Brandon Ganley.

The Reds better started the second half better. An early chance came for tenacious midfielder Reece Fyfe whose free kick cannoned off the crossbar. Moments later Sporting had a shot of their own which hit the crossbar. Khalsa pushed again not long after, forcing a cracking save out of Allsopp who was having an unbelievable game.

Luca Alonzi had a tremendous opportunity to score in the 55th minute when he attacked a right wing cross, but steered his effort over the bar. Just after the 60th minute Quorn were 1-0 up. A clearance was superbly controlled by Jordan Clarke in the centre circle, quickly turning the ball on for Noble to chase. The attacking midfielder still had a lot to do but he had burst past two defenders, holding them off long enough to beat Ganley one-on-one.

It was the perfect response to a disappointing performance the previous weekend against Long Eaton United, where the Reds had finally tasted defeat. The Job wasn’t done yet though, and with 20 minutes to go Quorn could have doubled the lead as Alonzi attacked another Goodson cross from the right, but his shot wasn’t powerful enough to trouble Ganley. The Reds would see another header cleared off the line before enduring a very nervy final 20 minutes as they tried to see out the game.

Khalsa pushed for an equaliser and in the 82nd minute Allsopp made a fantastic save that was quite simply breathtaking, diving full length to keep out an effort from Andre Landell. Paddy Webb was introduced onto the field, making his return from three months on the sideline, but the Reds didn’t see much of the ball in the final ten minutes, soaking up near continuous pressure from the Lions.

The hosts had two glorious opportunities in stoppage time, wasting both efforts with wild snatches that flew high and wide. Quorn held on for the win, which now puts the Reds on 67 points, surpassing last seasons total with 14 games left to play. Player/Manager Ryan Beswick, who missed a second successive match, now sees his side stretch their lead back to 19 points, guaranteeing they’ll have a double-figure lead over Corby Town when the two sides meet at The Stotto Stadium at the start of February.

There’s plenty to think about before that top-of-the-table clash though, and Quorn can’t afford to take their eye off the ball. Next up is a home tie against Boldmere St. Michaels on Saturday the 18th of January (3pm KO).