Clinical Loughborough Students Sink Quorn to Reach Challenge Cup Final
Quorn 0-3 Loughborough Students
Loughborough Students punish a lacklustre Quorn to advance to the final of the Leicestershire & Rutland Challenge Cup.
The game started a cagey affair as Quorn dominated the possession in the early stages. Loughborough Students tried to hit the hosts on the counterattack and went close as Joshua Strouts’ strike went straight into Tom Allsopp’s gloves.
Hussein Issa then fired the visitors into the lead with a low strike beating Quorn’s No.1 for pace, giving Loughborough Students the advantage against the run of play.
Quorn thought they earned a penalty when Jordan Clarke hit the deck, this was however dismissed by the referee. Loughborough Students held their lead going into half-time.
Halim Bangura was denied early on in the second half by a smart near post save from Quorn’s keeper. The following corner resulted in Loughborough’s second, as Quorn’s defenders failed to clear, Nat Salsby pounced to double the away team’s advantage.
Alexander Spiteri was instrumental in the semi-final, snuffing out Quorn’s attack and providing width and crosses down the left flank.
Quorn tried to fight back as Paddy Webb wasted a glorious opportunity with half an hour left, blazing a close range shot over the bar. A subsequent effort then hit the bar from a volley on the turn.
Late in the game, Marcus Gilpin sealed the win, flicking a cross past a helpless Allsopp to ensure the student side would advance to the cup final.
Loughborough defended resiliently late on to keep a clean sheet and emerge as deserved winners.
Attendance: 245
Referee: Gareth Davis
Assistant Referees: Gary Lord and Eduards Lacis