Quorn secure play off place with stylish win
QUORN 4 LYE TOWN 0 Northern Premier League Midland Division
QUORN all but wrapped up fifth place with a convincing victory that eliminated their visitors from playoff contention. Cain Noble opened the scoring and Harvey Ridgley scored his first for the Reds, sandwiched between a Tyree Wilson brace.
The Reds picked up where they left off on Tuesday, dominating their opponents and harrying them when not in possession. However, Lye had the best chance in the early stages, as Joe Palmer was through one-onone with the keeper, but hit the post.
Lye had defended resolutely, limiting Quorn to several halfchances despite their overwhelming percentage of possession. The deadlock was finally broken when Noble scored on the turn, getting just enough on his shot to poke it past Ben Newey in the 27th minute.
Led by Nathan Kabeya, Lye had their best spell after conceding, but Quorn handled it comfortably and were back on top within five minutes. The second half saw the Reds continue to dominate, and with Kabeya replaced, Lye mustered very little going forward.
Wilson added the second when Jack Samples played in Paddy Webb on the left hand edge of the box. Webb’s shot was parried by Newey but Wilson was on hand to smash in the rebound in the 51st minute. Ryan Bridgewater had Lye’s only other chance of note, but his snap-shot hit the outside of the post.
Ridgley put the match out of sight in the 73rd minute, picking up Farren Simon’s through ball and capping off a phenomenal week for the young defender with a superb strike in to the roof of the net. The fourth was laid on by Webb, unselfishly pulling back when he was in on goal. His pass looked to be for Courey Grantham, but was behind the striker. Wilson collected it though and curled his second in to the corner.
The win puts Quorn three points ahead of Loughborough Dynamo, with one game to play, but the Reds have a vastly superior goal difference, that should be enough to guarantee a playoff semifinal on Tuesday, April 30.
Hinckley LR’s draw with Cambridge City has also left the door open to finish fourth, as they trail them by just two points.
The season concludes next Saturday, away to Bedworth United.