The Blues went into today’s local derby having managed one win in seven although in the last games or so there has been an improvement in regards to chances. With that and Quorn sitting in 6th the game would be a very tough test.
The weather although dry wasn’t ideal a very strong and blustery wind would be a problem for both teams with the direction favouring the side kicking right to left.

It was the visitors who would start the game with the wind behind them in a very even first forty five minutes.
With the wind it was Quorn who started the game the better with the ball not surprisingly being played down the right of United’s defence, the random gusts forcing the issue to some extent. The Blues looked good on the break and Nightingale almost carved out an opening in the 5th minute after good build up play by Jones down the right. The Striker managed to get in front of his marker only to see the visitors keeper charge down and clear the ball.

It was Jones again on 8 minutes who created another chance, this time the defender managed to get a foot on the ball to force it out for a corner just moments before Jones attempted a cross. Corners in the first half were not the best for the Blues with the wind taking them out of play at the near post.

United were awarded a free-kick on the right in the 11th which was sent over well by Hollis, Watkis was stood in a good position on the edge of the box and his header was well placed, the Quorn keeper though was in a good position and saved well.
At the other end it in the 15th it was Quorns turn to fire in a corner their number 6 got up well but couldn’t put direction on his header and the ball went wide of the left hand post.

The chance of the first half fell to the Blues in the 22nd minute. Hollis had managed to beat of the challenge of 2 midfields before playing Jones down the right; he spotted Nightingale in space and setup a great pass. Nightingale cut inside a defender before crossing to the back post were Brad Wells had drifted in. The Blues striker seemed to be caught in two minds whether to side foot or hit it hard and it eventually just bounced down to the grateful keeper.

Wells had another chance in the 30th minute having got on to a good pass by Parker. A change of pace took the frontman past a defender before he struck a effort from just outside the box. Unfortunately for him and United the ball went over the bar by a couple of feet.

As the half approached its final minutes the visitors began to press and forced a couple of corners in quick succession, the Blues were on top in defence and having cleared the first out for a another flack kick the 2nd was headed wide at the near post.
The game petered out as it got closer to the half time break with much of the play being stretched, the wind not helping with the control of the ball and as the half time whistle went it was United who had the better of the chances but couldn’t find the opening.
Into the 2nd and it started much like the first ended with both sides struggling to get the ball under control however the Blues were beginning to pass the ball around well; keeping it under the power of the wind.

A move by the Blues on 53 almost saw Ben Watkis open the scoring. Bailey was a handful all game and having picked the ball up on the left he drifted over into the middle which created space. He looked up and picked out Watkis’ run, a great ball put the winger through and his shot was cut out at the final second by a Quorn defender.

The matches opening goal came from the Spot for the Blues in the 62nd minute. A good period of pressure saw Jones who was having a fantastic game pick up the ball from a deflected Cooper-Richards pass, the defender showed great skill taking it past 2 players. Jones got to the 6 yard box where he was up ended, the referee showing no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Markel Bailey was given the ball and sent the keeper the wrong way to give the Blues the lead.

This seemed to relax United and they played some of the best football for a long time, the ball being stroked around the pitch brilliantly, one such move saw almost the entire side touch the ball before Watkis fired an effort just wide of the right hand post.
Jones almost got on the scoresheet himself in the 66th having started the move the defender somehow managed to go un-noticed and found himself unmarked on the edge of the box, Nightingale oblidged the move with a great ball, Jones got the shot away but the keeper did well to get down saving at the 2nd attempt.

Quorn battled hard and went close in the 70th minute, a long ball down fielded bounced between United’s back 2 and fell kindly for the visitors striker. He struggled to get the ball under control but managed to keep possession before hitting a shot to the near post. Low in goal had it covered and watched as it bounced back off the hoardings.

United’s good play was rewarded as the game went into its last 10 minutes. A Hollis corner went right over to the back post where Scott Parker was waiting, he got up well and although his header was not at the best of heights he got it past the keeper and just under the bar.

There was still time as the match went into injury time for the visitors to get a penalty for themselves. Ross Parker was shepereding a Quorn midfielder in the box when it looked like the defender slipped, he also took the midfielder and the penalty was given.
Mutumba was the player to take and although Low went the right way it was a good penalty too far from the grasps of Low.

The whistle was blew shortly after and United had the confidence boosting win.