REPORT | Sutton Coldfield Town 5-3 Quorn

Quorn’s unbeaten streak was halted by Sutton Coldfield Town on Saturday afternoon. The Royals came from behind to beat the Reds for the first time in six tries. Reece Fyfe, Tyree Wilson and Cain Noble were on the scoresheet for Quorn, but Reece Gibson’s brace off the bench proved the difference after goals from Charlie Dowd, Oscar Tonge and Alex McSkeane for the hosts.

Things started brightly for Quorn, commanding the opening 25 minutes as Fyfe forced the first save of the game with a rasping drive from deep, that Lewis Landers tipped over the bar. The Town keeper had to be sharp again as Ryan Beswick twisted his body to volley from the edge of the area. Fyfe did eventually break the deadlock, in the 24th minute, with another shot from outside the box, which Landers couldn’t reach.

The lead was short-lived though, as a generous free kick was awarded against Tom Hilton, though the hard-working midfielder looked to have won the ball. Dowd stepped up and scored direct from the free kick, levelling the score in the 29th minute. From that point on, the Royals took complete control of the match, taking the lead when Tonge was afforded too much space and slotted into the bottom corner before the break.

It was a frustrating half for the Reds, one which could have seen Tonge sent off for a high and late challenge on Paddy Webb, and penalty awarded for a push in the back on Hilton, but Quorn didn’t benefit from any calls by the match officials.

Sutton continued to control the match, adding to their lead when McSkeane headed in a free kick at the near post around the hour mark. Their fourth was all too easy as Gibson pounced on a rebound in the 74th minute. Tonge did eventually see red with 15 minutes to play, for a foul on Webb on the edge of the box. Quorn eventually broke out of their uncharacteristic slumber as the match moved in to stoppage time.

Kyle Bryant was felled on the edge of the box in 92nd minute, and Wilson curled the free kick around the wall, and, despite getting a hand to it, Landers couldn’t stop it nestling in the bottom corner. Quorn were then denied a certain penalty as Tyrell Shannon-Lewis was impeded by a clear handball. With the decision not going his way “Tizer” continued and got to the loose ball before Landers, with Courey Grantham latching onto it and lashing it in, however, Referee, Joel Buckle, compounded his earlier decision by awarding a free kick for a foul on Landers.

An unlikely comeback looked as though it could still be on the cards though, as Silvio Bello’s ball across goal found Noble sliding in at the back post, to pull the Reds back to 4-3 in the 96th minute.

A melee ensued in the goal as Quorn attempted to get the ball back for a quick restart. Pedro Lima appeared to grab Webb by the throat, but instead of being shown a red, he was booked, along with Webb, who appeared to have been a totally innocent party.

The nerves of the home crowd were settled almost straight from the kick off though, as Gibson added his second to secure the points for the hosts. Quorn showed great character to battle back at the end, but the damage had been done by a lacklustre second half to that point had left themselves with too much to do.