REPORT: Quorn 2-1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Kobe Hall became an instant hero in his first appearance at the newly titled Stotto Stadium. The Kidderminster Harriers loanee came off the bench to score twice at the death and snatch a dramatic victory from the jaws of defeat.
Quorn had been in emphatic form to start the season, coming into the day as the only unbeaten side in the league, but you wouldn’t know it from the early going. AFC Rushden & Diamonds looked the better side throughout the first half an hour and deservedly took the lead in the 17th minute, when Jamal Adams, a former teammate of Quorn Player/Manager Ryan Beswick, steered in a composed effort.
Rushden went close shortly afterwards, hitting the post as the hosts struggled to get into the game. It took until the half hour mark for the Reds to muster much going forward, Beswick had a shot from a free kick that went over and Paddy Webb was denied by Ben Heath when he took on an audacious effort.
A double substitution at the break brought about a change of formation, but Adams was causing problems again from the restart, hitting the post as Diamonds continued to have the better of the chances.
Jack York and Cain Noble came close to restoring parity, but it was looking as though it wasn’t going to be Quorn’s day and the unbeaten start to the season would come to an end. The game turned in the 70th minute with the introduction of Hall, his link up with Zak Goodson created the best chance of the match for the hosts, up to that point.
Hall did have the ball in the back of the net in the 85th minute, but the assistant’s flag was raised quickly, ruling the forward to be offside. Goodson contributed yet another assist, crossing into the box for Hall to glide in and finish as the clock hit 90 minutes.
Beswick almost found a winner in the 95th minute, but his volley crept just inches over. Hall would have the final word though, smashing in the winner in the 97th minute as the home faithful went wild. Quorn have a chance to claim top-spot on Tuesday evening as they host Loughborough Students at The Stotto Stadium (19:45 KO).