Festive joy and woe for clubs
FOOTBALL teams have had mixed fortunes in the last games before Christmas.
Here is a round-up of some of those matches.
QUORN AFC 4 LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY FC 0
QUORN travelled the short distance to Loughborough University Stadium to face a mixed form Loughborough University FC.
It came after Quorn had their Leicestershire & Rutland Challenge County Cup quarter final match against Heather St John’s FC postponed due to the fog at St John’s Park in the 60th minute.
The best possible start went Quorn’s way as they pressed from the opening whistle and quick passing play, so Micah Jebbison went one-on-one with the Loughborough keeper with a powerful shot too much and Quorn led 1-0 in the first minute.
Quorn’s attacking midfield in Rackeem Reid, Tawanda Mangondoza and Micah Jebbison looked sharp and are the in-form three of the league with goals or assists in every day in the last seven games. They continued to ask the questions and with Stephen Hart and his holding play it was clear it was going to be a difficult day for Loughborough.
After an attacking move in the 16th minute, Stephen Hart found space and Loughborough failed to cover the area he needed to move the ball into their penalty area and hit a low shot against the keeper to make it Quorn 2-0.
Things did get worse for Loughborough as in the 30th minute their defender Theophilus Eniabasi Sowah Sackey handballed on the goal-line and gifted Quorn a penalty kick and a red card for his troubles, leaving Loughborough University FC with 10 men for the rest of the game.
There was no doubt of the resulting penalty and Steven Hart scored his second of the game and his 26th league goal of the season.
Loughborough showed their trademark procession football throughout the first half but could not find a shot on target for the rest of the half.
In the second half, Quorn didn’t take the gas off the pedal and continued to push for more goals.
A more confident and defensive performance from Loughborough limited Quorn to one more goal when in the 66th minute, Tawanda Mangondoza headed home a fantastic corner ball to put Quorn four goals up.
In the 80th minute, Quorn club captain and assistant manager Aaron Stringfellow was fouled near the Quorn penalty area and the result was a painful leg injury which resulted in him being carried off the pitch and of this time of writing, Aaron was taken by ambulance to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.
Quorn had used all three subs by this point and had to play the last 10 minutes with 10 men.
Results did go Quorn’s way as Shepshed Dynamo could only manage a 1-1 draw with Anstey Nomads.
Quorn go top of The UHL United Counties League to finish 2019 on a high. Quorn are on 39 points with Shepshed second with 37 points
Quorn’s next game is against Shepshed Dynamo away on Saturday, January 4.
WORKSOP TOWN 1 LOUGHBOROUGH DYNAMO 0
LOUGHBOROUGH Dynamo remain without a away league win since April after they were beaten 1-0 at Worksop Town on Saturday.
Craig Mitchell’s first-half strike proved the difference between the two sides in a closely-fought encounter at Sandy Lane.
Lee Attenborough made three changes to his team that lost against Newcastle Town as Will Norcross, Luke Foster and Danny Gordon all returned to starting line-up.
Worksop started the better in the opening stages and had a great chance to take the lead within the first five minutes.
James Gregory drove at the heart of the Dynamo defence and found himself one-on-one with Jay Alexander, but the shot-stopper stood tall and blocked his low effort.
The Tigers continued to dominate and create opportunities. Lynton Karkach came close with a half-volley which was saved before Steven Woolley saw a 20-yard effort deflect just wide of target.
However, the hosts were rewarded for their persistence as they broke the deadlock on 28 minutes.
Karkach delivered a superb cross from the right-wing which was met by Mitchell who steered home a header from close-range.
Moments later, Alexander prevented Worksop from doubling their lead as he denied Gregory following an excellent long pass.
The Moes grew into the contest at the end of the first-half and came close to levelling the scores.
Will Norcross’ low delivery found Alex Steadman who laid the ball off to Karl Demidh, but it was intercepted before the forward could shoot, as Dynamo trailed going into the break.
The Moes began the second-half on the front foot. Charlie Scanlon’s cross was flicked by Demidh to Steadman, but a superb tackle denied the former Gresley man from getting through.
Moments after, Danny Gordon drove into the penalty area and pulled the ball back for Norcross, but his attempt was deflected inches past the post.
Dynamo kept pushing but were nearly undone on the counter attack as Karkach came close. Dynamo went close down the other end as Burrows crossed for Steadman, but his header rolled agonisingly wide of target. The Moes pressed for that elusive equaliser but Worksop stayed strong to leapfrog their opponents and condemn Dynamo to an eighth consecutive away defeat. Next up for Attenborough’s men is a home game against Stamford on Saturday, December 28.