Revitalised Quorn win in a seven goal thriller
TOTAL MOTION MIDLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE QUORN 4 ROCESTER 3 QUORN were looking to end the year on a high, likewise Rocester were also looking to end 2017 with a win, after heading towards the danger zone since their last League victory in November.
Quorn made three changes, Manager Carl Abbott continuing his rotation of the Squad, Dominic Brennan, Nathan Dale and Nathan Jackson all returned with Darious Darkin, Ryan Evans and Nick Goold dropping to the bench.
Quorn took the lead after just two minutes, Rob Mulonga being felled just outside the box, Ryan Seal stepped up to take the free-kick, his effort being deflected past the wrong-footed Charlie Wood in the visitor’s goal.
The home side were guilty of losing the ball in midfield and the visitors drew level on 14 minutes, a left-wing cross looked to be too deep but George Taylor’s challenge on Graves was adjudged to be a foul and Martin Smyth blasted home the spot kick.
Poor defending again on Quorn’s left gave a golden opportunity to Rocester and this time they took advantage, Graves having all the time in the world to pick out the surging run of full back James Frost, his fine strike on the run from just inside the box put his side in front.
Quorn were not showing the form of late but picked up following the second goal from Rocester and three minutes before the break they drew level, Jackson’s fine through ball sent Bowerman clean through and as Wood came out, the striker calmly lofted the ball over the keeper into the net.
The visitors were first to show after the break, Quorn conceding a free-kick in a dangerous position, but Smyth’s strike cannoned back off the wall. Mulonga made a fine run from deep and fed Bowerman but his effort again brought a decent save by Wood.
Substitute Joseph Haines, coming on for his debut at half time, fired into the side netting but generally it was the visitors who were looking the more likely to get the next goal.
Time and again Quorn needlessly conceded possession. Groves and Ali Roome both went close for the visitors before Quorn made a double substitution just on the hour mark.
The introduction of Darious Darkin and Sean Williams had an immediate impact and for the first time in the game, Quorn seized the initiative.
Fifteen minutes from the end, the visitors finally succumbed to the Quorn pressure, but the goal came out of the blue, centre-back Lawrence Gorman picked up the ball near the half-way line he advanced unopposed and struck a tremendous 30-yard strike that flew past Wood to give the keeper no chance.
Soon after, Bowerman had the chance to seal it but miscued his shot and Wood again was a relieved man.
Quorn were firing on all cylinders now and soon made it four, Haines did well on the left and slipped the ball inside to Seal, who steadied himself and nonchalantly fired the ball past Wood from 12 yards.
Brennan made a fine run and cross to give Seal a chance to complete his hat-trick, but the Quorn skipper put his effort the wrong side of the post and instead of being a comfortable 5-2 scoreline, the visitors broke up the other end and Graves pulled one back.
It was a case of too little too late, as shortly after, the referee blew for full time.