Shepshed progress with narrow victory
FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND
RAINWORTH MW 0 SHEPSHED DYNAMO 1 SHEPSHED Dynamo progressed to the preliminary round of the FA Cup with a 1-0 away win at Rainworth Miners Welfare.
In a tight affair which Dynamo always seemed to have the upper hand. It always looked like one goal from either side would settle the tie. Liam Hurst’s free kick on 51 minutes was the difference booking Shepshed a home tie in the next round to East Midland Counties side Blaby and Whetstone on Saturday, August 19.
Jimmy Gray fielded no fewer than five of his new signings for their first competitive game of the season.
The first half chance of the game fell to Niall Prenderville on six minutes blocking Rainworth’s clearance he was unfortunate not to follow the ball on its way through to deny keeper Ben Townsend from claiming the ball.
Rainworth should have been in front a minute later Liam Royles advanced down the right hand side and found Lee Betts alone in the box but he could only put his shot wide.
Alex Troke then went close for Shepshed on nine minutes with Sam Bebbington clearing for a corner. The best of Shepshed’s early chances came a minute later Michael Reeve shot being saved by Townsend and Jordan Claxton clearing Joe Pheasant’s effort off the line from the rebound.
Bebbington then headed over for Miners Welfare on 13 minutes after Claxton’s corner was cleared back to him to deliver back into the area.
Luke Richard’s shot was then easily saved by Townsend on 17 minutes and was on hand again to save from Liam Hurst on 27 minutes.
Shepshed finished the half the better with Troke’s effort flashing across the box on 36 minutes, Hurst’s effort blocked on 44 minutes and into injury time Troke’s effort was off target as the half ended goal less.
The hosts started the second half strongly without really testing Hinds in the Shepshed goal.
When Dynamo settled they had the first clear chance of the half Reeve’s passing to Troke on 49 minutes but his fiercely hit shot sailed over Rainworth’s bar.
Two minutes later Shepshed were in front. They were awarded a free kick outside of the Rain- worth area and Hurst beat Townsend placing the ball into the bottom right hand corner of Rainworth’s goal. Three minutes later Hurst took a further free kick but alas this time he was wide of the target.
Rainworth went in search of an equaliser Bebbington’s cross come shot went straight to Hinds on 58 minutes and Lawrence went close with a header on 63 minutes.
Rainworth never gave up hope of getting back into the tie and began to peg Shepshed back. Adam Hohn was on hand to clear on 69 minutes and a minute later Bebbington fired wide.
As the game entered the final five minutes Hinds easily dealt with Stayte’s cross and on 88 minutes saving a header comfrotably.
Rainworth thought they had forced a replay on 89 minutes, Modest nipping between defender and goalkeeper his looping header was goalbound with Pheasant scrambling back. The ball hit the foot of the post and into the welcoming hands of Hinds.
Five minutes of injury time passed peacefully for Shepshed to progress to the next round.