Northern Premier League | Midland Division | Saturday 18 January 2025
Well, they weren’t 4-1 worse: indeed, for a period, they looked to be pressing for an equaliser. In the end, though, Quorn made it nineteen wins out of twenty-four, as late legginess in the Mikes’ defence saw two breakaway goals conceded.
An entertaining game began in typical fashion, the ball not touching the floor in the second minute, as it was headed nine times in succession. The early minutes were a presage of what was to come, the hosts passing up a number of chances, accompanied by “Ooh” s of disappointment from the crowd, Jordan Clarke failing to capitalise on four varied opportunities. The Mikes were getting in home faces, but managed only two efforts on goal during the first half – the ever dangerous Theo Rowe being denied by keeper Allsopp on nineteen minutes.
The Boldmere dam eventually broke on twenty-four minutes, Cain Noble rifling home from ten yards. From the half hour on, the Mikes were beginning to concede fouls, and a difference between the teams was beginning to become apparent. Quorn were looking a well-oiled machine, knowing where their men were before passing to them. Boldmere were matching them man for man; but how much can you expect from a team whose players continually disappear in search of more money? Quorn were piling on the pressure as the break loomed, and doubled their lead. Ryan Beswick sent in a swerver from twenty yards, which Jonathan Brown got a hand to. Instead of disappearing over the bar, the shot’s force saw it lob quietly into the net. Half time: 2-0.
Undeterred, Boldmere gave as good as they got in the second period’s opening stages and, with the hour just past, reduced the arrears, Quorn stopper Jordan Gough turning a Rowe centre into his own net. Could the Mikes now take something from this game? A prolonged break prevented us finding out immediately, as a muscular interception from Demico Burton took out his opponent…the linesman…and the corner flag, all three of which needed repairing.
Soon, the homesters made a double substitution, which eventually proved to be the game’s turning point. Mayhem soon reigned in the Boldmere box, the ball somehow not going in as it hit the bar and ballooned over for a corner…cannoned off the inside of the post…and was stopped by a scrambling Brown…all within ninety seconds. Even so, wrath arose from the Boldmere dugout a quarter of an hour later, when they felt a penalty should have been awarded, after a Rowe fizzer was parried away by Allsopp and Jake Wilkes was upended as he challenged for the rebound. Referee Sheppard ignored the appeals.
Could Boldmere turn their efforts into goals? Alas, no, as Quorn enacted a double smash and grab in the last ten minutes. Two minutes after the denied spot kick, Rowe accidentally handled on the half way line. Our referee played advantage, and substitute Paddy Webb ran at the Boldmere goal and finished clinically. Five minutes later, with full time beckoning, Noble threaded his way through a tiring Mikes back line to give the men in red a win they deserved – but not, perhaps, by such a wide margin.
Quorn: Tom Allsopp; Zhani Burgess; Jack Samples; Jordan Gough; Mason Frizelle; Reece Fyfe; Zak Goodson (Zach Mackenzie 90); Ryan Beswick (Roger Lee 90); Luca Alonzi (Rodrigo Goncalves 63); Cain Noble; Jordan Clarke (Paddy Webb 64). Sub. not used: Billy Kee.
Boldmere St Michaels: Jonathan Brown; Ben George; Demico Burton; George Cleet; Tyler Donaldson; Mason Rees; Corey Cooper (Jake Wilkes 59); Stephen Palmer (Lewis Allison 74); Kevin Ngombi; Joseph Blowers (Charlie Manners 78); Theo Rowe. Subs. not used: Pierre Phillips; Hisham Chiha.