Hay Hits Form Against Quorn

[Duffer]

Saturday 26th October 2002

Midland Football Alliance

QUORN 0 vs WILLENHALL TOWN 3

 

As expected this was always going to be a cracking match with 3rd place Willenhall, unbeaten so far in the MFA visiting 5th placed Quorn unbeaten at home in the league. Neither team disappointed, with effort and commitment given at it's fullest. There were goals, incidents, injuries, and a sending off mixed with quality play and near chances. But in the end it was Willenhall's deadly finishing which earned them the points.

 

Just 7 minutes into the game and Town's Hay nearly broke the deadlock when he controlled the ball before unleashing a first time shot which went narrowly wide. He had to wait just a further 2 minutes before grabbing his first, a long kick out from keeper Vaughan found Hay and Pearce sandwiching a Quorn defender, Hay's foot got the crucial touch and the ball went skidding into the net.

 

Quorn nearly got on even terms on 25 minutes when Varney beat two defenders, and with just the keeper to beat, Vaughan brilliantly blocked the shot.

 

On 28 minutes Town's Creighton was stretched off with a possible torn cartilage, he joins Town's long term injured key players including Swann, Carter, and Slater. Fortunately for Town another long term injured player Moseley looks set to return in a couple of weeks.

 

Quorn felt aggrieved when they feel they should have been given a penalty when it appeared keeper Vaughan grabbed the shirt of their striker just as he was about to score, the ref was perfectly placed and declined the strong appeals.

 

Town responded to the blow in a positive manner when on 32 minutes a through ball towards Hay, saw keeper Sharpe blast his effort to clear the ball onto his own defender and rebound to Hay who tapped the ball into the unguarded net.

 

Quorn continued to press and on 34 minutes Price saw his effort from a cross go wide of an empty net. Then 5 minutes later Noble's swerving free kick saw Vaughan produce a brilliant save to deny the home team.

 

Five minutes into injury time and Hay nearly grabbed a first half hat trick with a carbon copy of his first goal, this time the striker lobbed the ball over the crossbar following a long kick out by Vaughan.

 

Town's new signing Hider was given his first taste of action when he replaced Pearce who left the field with a head injury. The youngster delivered a perfect cross on 61 minutes to Bullimore who's header hit the top of the roof of the net.

 

On 63 minutes a Grosvenor freekick caused chaos on the Quorn goal line, somehow the ball was cleared off the goal line.

 

Minutes after receiving his first booking, Quorn's Noble was sent off for an over the top reckless foul on Whitcombe on 65 minutes.

 

Bullimore collected the ball on 70 minutes and with just the keeper to beat, Sharpe brilliantly blocked the ball for the expense of a corner.

 

Despite having only 10 players Quorn continued to press forward with their meaty style of play, but were unable to penetrate the Willenhall goal and were killed off with 3 minutes left. Goodall danced past several Quorn players before being upended in the box. Up stepped Hay to convert the spot kick and claim his hat trick.

 

Saturday 2nd November sees Quorn visit Wednesfield while Willenhall visit Barwell.