REPORT | Stafford Rangers 5-3 Quorn

Quorn’s FA Trophy run came to an end in the first round proper, as they succumb to higher-level opposition at Stan Robinson Stadium. Despite taking the lead twice, Stafford Rangers pegged the Reds back and, with three goals in eight second half minutes, triumphed 5-3 in front of 507 supporters.

The Reds made a dream start, as Tyrell Shannon-Lewis headed them in front with just eight minutes on the clock. Silvio Bello had been afforded too much time and space on the edge of the area, curling in a powerful shot that hit the underside of the bar. His effort crashed down, and appeared to cross the line, but wasn’t given, however, Shannon-Lewis reacted quickest and beat Cam Belford to the rebound, bundling the ball in for the opener.

A scrappy match ensued with both sides unable to make much headway throughout the rest of the opening 30 minutes. Quorn had occasionally threatened and Charlie Woods looked untroubled in the Reds goal. The game turned on the half hour though, as Woods was adjudged to have committed a foul when he came out to punch a cross clear. The Reds’ keeper was cautioned and Kaiman Anderson was clinical with the spot kick to level the score.

Stafford had not looked like scoring up until that point, but took to the match with a renewed vigour. Quorn stood resolute though and went in level at the break. The Reds took the ascendancy in the second half and came flying out of the traps. Paddy Webb created space for himself, but his chance appeared to have been lost when his shot was blocked. The in-form striker picked it back up though and curled in to the top corner in the 50th minute to restore the lead.

The lead was short-lived though as Sam Bird fired in a cross, five minutes later, that Nathan Blissett forcefully headed back across Woods and in to the corner of the goal. James Carvell gave Stafford their first lead just moments later as Rangers piled on the pressure. A 63rd minute corner was stabbed home as Simon Njaria continued the renaissance for Stafford, firing them in to a 4-2 lead.

Njaria was on hand again, with 15 minutes to play, to volley in a fifth for the hosts as Quorn’s chance for another upset slipped away. The Reds didn’t hang their heads though, continuing to probe for ways back in to the match. Webb added a superb third in stoppage time, but it was too little, too late for Quorn as Richard Lavery’s men now turn their focus back to the league.