Pitmen storm on at the top with another victory

Oct 23 2008

Hednesford Town 3 Quorn 1

The Pitmen scored two early goals but were only certain of being involved in the FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Qualifying Round draw after Ross Dyer added a third goal late in the game.

Quorn showed early in the game that they were going to sit back and play for a draw when Ant Maguire had to chase back to concede a corner by Blocking a Brett Darby cross.

Ross Dyer opened the scoring in the third minute after Stuart Brock had hit a long clearance up to Tyrone Barnett.

He brought the ball down and laid it left for Dyer to make an attacking run to the by-line and from an acute angle hit a low shot into the far side of the net.

Dyer again caused the visitors problems after beating Craig Jones the Quorn keeper to a ball outside of the penalty area, taking the ball down the right wing he attempted to cross into the box for Barnett but his cross deflected off the back of Rory Squire and went out of play for a corner kick on the far side. Briggs corner found Elliott Durrell who made a forward pass which was intended for Barnett but the ball was a fraction to heavy which allowed Jones to collect.

A good passing move through the middle of the Quorn defence involving Durrell and Maguire created an opening for Barnett who hit a low firm shot which the keeper saved after closing the angle. Durrell became a dfender soon after when he was on hand to block a Justin Jenkins shot at the back post following yet another corner kick for the vistors.

After a number of corners which kept the Pitmen back in their own half Quorn found themselves 2-0 down in the 21st minute when Elliott Durrells cross from the left was headed back by Dyer to Barnett. Despite being closely marked Barnett managed to stick out a leg and divert the ball past the defender into the right hand side of the net.

After yet another two corners Quorns Rory Squire was adventurous when he attempted an overhead kick which did not trouble the Pitmens goal

Former Pitman Justin Jenkins pulled a goal back in the 25th minute when he was allowed to much room to collect a long pass. Brock did well to block Jenkins first shot but luck was not on his side as the ball fell back to the Quorn player who with the Pitmen keeper on the floor placed the ball into the left hand side of the goal.

In the 29th minute Barnett went close with a first time volley from the edge of the penalty area.

Jenkins had a chance to equalise from a free kick which had seen Ross Dyer receive a caution for a firm challenge. Despite the efforts of Dean Edwards who was shouting at his defenders to get tighter the free kick from the left still found Jenkins with too much room inside the box. Brock however was alert to the danger and as he reduced the angle he forced the striker to shoot over the crossbar.

Ross Dyer was cautioned in the 36th minute and Quorns Robbie Beard was shown a yellow in the 42nd minute for a challenge on Danny Harvey.

Early in the second half Brock was well place to catch Paul Whites attempted lob after a good ball from the right by Brett Darby found the Quorn winger on the edge of the box.

Maguire started a good move down the left, passes were made between Mark Briggs and Elliott Durrell, the ball was played to Ross Dyer on the edge of the box who diverted the ball to Ross Draper. The Pitmen Captain tussled for the ball and attempted to shoot but his effort rebounded back to Barnett hitting his shins and going out of play for a goal kick.

A long pass forward by Tom Marshall was headed down by Dyer to Barnett who took a touch to the right before hitting a low shot which Jones managed to hold onto.

After only making a couple of late appearances in the previous two games new signing Adam Burley was given longer a longer spell on the pitch when he replaced Sam Hall on the hour mark.

Jones had to use his boots as he spread himself to stop Mark Briggs scoring in the 63rd minute after Marshall’s long ball was taken by Barnett before he set Briggs up for a shot from 16 yards. A minute later Jones saved a weak effort from Dyer who was closely marked by two defenders. Making it three chances inside two minutes Barnett shot well over the crossbar after a flick on by Dyer.

In the 75th minute Danny Harvey had to be replaced by Scott Stamps when he had to leave the field being helped off with what looked to be a dead leg.

Jones had to make an acrobatic save to push Adam Burleys back header over the crossbar after Tom Marshall’s free kick found the Pitmen substitute in a crowded six yard box.

After Barnett had beaten the offside trap he attempted a shot which went straight to the keeper when a cross into the middle may have been the better choice as dyer and Briggs were racing in anticipating a cross.

Brock gave the keys Park crowd a scare when an attempted clearance hit Quorn’s Alex Johnson and rebounded backpast him. Luckily the ball was not going to roll into the net but Brock still had to race back to drop onto the ball and ensure no Qourn player could get a shot on goal.

Jones was in action at the other end when another long clearance by Brock was taken by Barnett, he passed to his strike partner and with a good left footed shot Dyer was denied a goal as Jones tipped his effort over the crossbar.

Brett Darby Quorns Captain went close to scoring an equaliser when after a good move from the back he shot just over Brock’s crossbar.

The game was finally sown up for the home team three minutes from the end of normal time when a Mark Briggs cross was deflected onto the left hand post by Anthony Marriott.

The ball bounced along the line and after hitting Craig Jones on the head the ball fell to Dyer who was left with a simple tap in.