Borrowash Victoria 0 Quorn 0
FA Cup sponsored by E.ON Preliminary Round
At: Watkinson Construction Bowl
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £4; Programme: £1 (20 pages)
Attendance: 58
Weather: sunny spells
Duration: first-half: 46:16; second-half: 48:58
Borrowash bridged a three-division gap as they held higher-ranked Quorn to a goalless draw and the teams will meet again in a replay on Tuesday.
After returning late from holiday yesterday and an early start to look forward to tomorrow, I’d didn’t fancy travelling too far today. A quick look at the FA Cup fixtures within an hour radius of home threw up this interesting tie at the Watkinson Construction Bowl.
Home side Borrowash, of the East Midland Counties League had made a reasonable start to the season and had already won one FA Cup tie, in contrast to Quorn had gained just one point from their first four league games.
I knew my way to the ground as it was the same route taken to neighbours Graham Street Prims back in May. Travelling away from Derby on the A6005 towards Long Eaton, Borrowash Road was on the left opposite a new housing development just past a Skoda dealer. The entrance was to the right off Borrowash Road and the Watkinson Construction Bowl was past Prims and the derelict Asterdale Club.
Through the turnstile the pitch (orientated south-west–north-east) ran lengthways and I my eye was drawn to the large stand down the left-hand side. It was also easy to see where the ‘bowl’ was derived as there was banking behind the stand and also at the far end. The stand had four rows of bucket seats, coloured sea green. Behind the near goal was another stand, predominately terrace with a couple of small groups on individual black tip-up seats. Down the right-hand side were the dugouts on halfway with changing rooms behind. All in all, it was an impressive venue and much bigger in size than I imagined.
When I looked at the teams in the centre of the programme, a couple of names in the Quorn squad leapt out at me. Was ‘Julian Joachim’ the former Premier League player? Was ‘Tom Ingram’ the former Stafford Rangers midfielder? It turned out the answer to both questions was ‘yes’.
I got a cup of tea and was pointed in the direction of ‘Chunky’ who turned out to be long-serving Secretary Ian Collins. Unfortunately, he didn’t have any club badges but I was able to note down the line-ups – much appreciated. Joachim was in the starting line-up with Ingram on the bench. Teams were also announced on the tannoy just before kick-off.
Borrowash (with three points from three games) went into the tie occupying seventh position in the early league table. They opened with a defeat at St Andrews, then a win at Holwell Sports and draw at Greenwood Meadows. They also beat Greenwood two weeks ago in the Extra Preliminary Round to set up today’s FA Cup tie with Quorn.
Visitors Quorn, second from bottom in the Unibond League Division 1 South table with one point from four games, began with a home 1-1 draw with Kidsgrove Athletic and then lost three league games in a row against Carlton Town, Chasetown and most recently Willenhall Town. The Preliminary Round was their first FA Cup hurdle this season.
A seat in the stand seemed like a good idea – number 167 to be precise on the back of the four rows. Borrowash got the game underway defending the entrance end (right to left from my vantage point).
Borrowash created the only serious chance during the opening quarter hour. Karl Payne battled between two defenders on the edge of the area and poked a shot straight at Quorn keeper Craig Jones.
Defences were very much on top and neither keeper was unduly troubled. The game started to show signs of coming to life when Phil Summerfield found some space and fired straight at Jones.
Raffle tickets came round and I opted for a strip. Would 636–640 be lucky?
Chances seemed to stem from free-kicks. Just when I thought that Quorn were starting to show why they were three divisions higher, Borrowash almost took a 41st minute lead. From near the right corner of the area Rory Maxwell fired got a shot in on target which hit the chest of Jones. The ball rebounded to the following-up Sutton who fired just wide of the right-hand post from 10 yards out. It was the closest either side had come to taking the lead.
At the interval, it was a case of “well played” as far as Borrowash were concerned.
One thing I was impressed with was the tea bar menu and veggie items indicated with a (v). I don’t think I’ve spotted such a thing at a ground before so had to indulge in a delicious cheese and onion slice at half-time as well as another tea!
I returned to seat 167 ready for the second half.
Quorn got the action underway in the second half looking to step up their performance and created a few chances. The best during the opening 15 minutes of the second half came when Marriott chipped the ball into the area and Turner sent a free header wide of the target.
Having not made the desired breakthrough, Quorn made a change in the 63rd minute, with ex-Stafford man Tom Ingram replacing Michael Papperozzi.
The winning raffle numbers were announced over the tannoy – 650 and 520 – and surprise surprise, I was out of luck again, though 650 was only two strips away from mine.
Quorn continued to threaten without troubling Vics keeper Smith.
In the 76th minute, I decided that a change in viewing position might bring a goal. So I vacated seat 167 for a place next the pitch on the same touchline towards the goal that Quorn were attacking. Would it do the trick?
“C’mon Borrowash, one big last effort,” cried one fan stood near men and his side almost responded. Phil Summerfield found Lee Sutton in space who saw his shot hit defender Kris Matthews and rebound out for a corner.
Replay at Quorn on Tuesday.
Borrowash Victoria (red and white stripes / black / black): 1. Steve Smith, 2. Robert Fox, 3. Daniel Cox, 4. Tom Land, 5. James De Reus, 6. Anthony Tansley, 7. Phil Summerfield (capt), 8. Martin Gadsby, 9. Lee Sutton, 10. Rory Maxwell, 11. Karl Payne. Subs: 12. David Leigh (for Payne, 84), 14. Graham O’Reilly (not used), 15. Josh Watts (not used), 16. Andrew Mottershead (for Maxwell, 65), GK. Jonathan Ball (not used).
Quorn (yellow/blue/white): 1. Craig Jones, 2. Anthony Marriott, 3. Russell Peel, 4. Kris Matthews (capt), 5. Phil Gilchrist, 6. Cameron Keast, 7. Joe Jonas, 8. Ash Robinson, 9. Liam Turner, 10. Julian Joachim, 11. Michael Papperozzi. Subs: 12. Ash White (not used), 14. Tom Ingram (for Papperozzi, 63), 15. Nick Goold (for Jonas, 90+4), 16. Phil Miller (for Turner, 84), GK. Ian Pledger (not used).
Referee: S Ledger (Barnsley).
Assistants: S Roysten and R Treher.
Goals:
None
Cards:
Borrowash: none
Quorn: none
