TT No.69: Richard Panter - Sat 29th September 2007: Quorn v Evesham United: FA Cup 2nd Round Qualifying; Result: 1 - 3; Attendance: 169; Entry: £6; Programme: 38pp £1.50; FGIF Match rating: ***.

It's quite competitive for clubs in the Charnwood area when it comes to drawing punters through the turnstiles. In a five mile radius the Dynamos of Shepshed and Loughborough were at home on this day and, Barrow Town, the best supported Leicestershire Senior League outfit were  away so three of the four were vying to attract paying spectators. Sadly, only 169 were enticed to Sutton Park to see this entertaining FA Cup tie fought out between two level four sides. Quorn, of the garrulously titled Unibond First Division North and Evesham United, of the equally wordy British Gas Business Southern League Midland Division.   Sutton Park lies at the very northern edge of Quorn and has developed gradually over the years into what is now a neat, tidy and well maintained level four venue. The only spectator infrastructure at present is a covered stand of some 300 odd seats which spans most of the eastern touch line. There are plans in with the local council to build a covered terrace behind the Farley Way goal. A wide band of tarmac encircles the pitch which is segregated from the spectator areas by a newly built breeze block wall, hardly a forgiving building material I would have thought! A large club house offers alcoholic, soft and hot drinks and a selection of hot and cold food. New fencing is being errected in order to re-locate the turnstile block and there is ample car parking on site. All the ground lacks is a bit of atmosphere which may appear if the climb up the pyramid continues.   I feel really sorry for the bloke who rolled up in his Mondeo Estate at three minutes past three, as he missed a superb opening goal. United's Mark Owen hit an accurate shot to the left of the home 'keeper to put his side one up. Quorn captain Robert Betts missed an absolute sitter in the fifth minute blasting wide with the unguarded Evesham net waiting for the ball. Owen then ran on to a through pass only to see his fine shot rebound off the bar after a finger-tip save from Dan Haystead in the Quorn goal. Worcester City's lodgers went further ahead in the thirty eighth minute when James Knott untied the home defence to slot home. At the break there looked to be only one winner, the visitors.   During the second half the referee Mr P Leversuch did something unusual. He actually penalised a player for a foul throw. This is the first one I have witnessed this season so top marks to this official. The man in black was also equally decisive late on when he red-carded Quorn's Nigel Julien for a reckless tackle, fortunately the victim sustained no serious injuries but in my opinion Mr Leversuch was spot-on with his response.   Early in the second half it was evident that Evesham United were content to sit on their two goal advantage and let Quorn take control. Why teams do this is beyond me, in the first half Evesham were fully in control, but they were almost wilful in the way in which they relinquished this initiative to Quorn. Jamie Clarke netted for the home side in the sixty-ninth minute after good work from Julien. From then on Quorn pressed for an equaliser, but were indebted to Haystead for a magnificent double save minutes after their strike. Evesham introduced all three substitutes in an effort to steady the ship and it was one of this number, the experienced Danny Scheppel who proved most effective. Left winger Allondo Davis weaved through the Quorn defence and found Scheppel who chipped the 'keeper with the deftest of touches. Four minutes remained and all Quorn could muster was a bout of petulance from Julien. The result leaves the United club secretary anxiously hoping that his club's prize money cheque for £3,750, arrives before the postmens' strike next Thursday!   Finally, a mention for the clubs new look programme. A bone of contention for many fans has been the poor quality of Quorn's programmes in the past. They used the same satic cover year after year and the content was a little short, well...short to be precise! However, a move into the Unibond league called for a new cover featuring the sponsors logo and there is an increase in reading matter, a small step forward for the club, but none the less, one which they should be praised for, even if it does cost 50p more than last season.

contributed on 30/09/07