Loughborough Dynamo play-off hopes are dented
EVOSTIK PREMIER LEAGUE DIVISION ONE EAST AFC MANSFIELD 3 LOUGHBOROUGH DYNAMO 0 LOUGHBOROUGH Dynamo suffered a setback in their hopes for a play-off place in the Evo Stik Northern Premier League East Division, as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at AFC Mansfield.
Oliver Fearon scored an impressive hat-trick for the Bulls as they claimed a much needed win in Mark Ward’s first game as manager.
Lee Attenborough made two changes to the Loughborough side that beat AFC Mansfield a fortnight ago – Karl Demidh and Josh Riley came in for Ruben Asamoah and Luke Thorogood.
The quality in the opening changes was hampered by strong winds as it starting fairly even. But the deadlock was broken in the 19th minute courtesy of AFC’s number nine. Fearon drove at the Dynamo back-line and fired a superb shot from long range that creeped in off the post.
Dynamo grew into the contest and Daniel Gordon had a couple good opportunities but failed to convert them. Firstly, Gordon tested Jason White with a free kick that was comfortable for the Bulls’ keeper. Alex Steadman did well down the right - pulled the ball back for Gordon, but his shot came back off the post and the ball was cleared away.
On the stroke of half-time, Fearon went very close to doubling the Bulls’ lead. He beat Luke Foster and saw his shot crash off the woodwork and the ball looped over the crossbar to safety.
AFC Mansfield went into the half-time break with a slender 1-0 lead.
The start of the second half couldn’t have got any worse for Dynamo as they fell two goals behind, shortly after the restart. A free-kick caused havoc in the Loughborough penalty area and Fearon headed in over Charlie Taylor from close range.
The hosts had their tails up and they grabbed a third goal in the 55th minute, to comply more misery on Dynamo. Charlie Dawes’ cross was met by Fearon, and he headed into the corner to complete his first hat-trick of the season.
Dynamo played their best football when they were 3-0 down and created many chances to pull a goal back. Demidh fizzed a free kick towards goal but White tipped the ball over the bar. Shortly after, Ryan Robbins beat his man but couldn’t squeeze the ball past the Mansfield goalkeeper from a tight angle.
Loughborough kept pressing and went very close twice with just under 20 minutes to go. Kyle Bryant’s volley clipped the crossbar and minutes later, Robbins’ cross was met by Demidh but he couldn’t get the required connection on the header.
It was one of those games for Lee Attenborough’s side as they created many opportunities and they squandered another two chances with three minutes left to play. Firstly, Demidh’s shot was save by White, and from the rebound Riley’s header was cleared off the line by Jack Broadhead.
Fearon could’ve made it four in the 90th minute, but Taylor was there to block his shot.
Shortly after, the referee blew the whistle in Nottinghamshire which saw Dynamo fall to a third defeat in four games. The defeat sees Dynamo stay seventh, but lose ground on fifth place that is now occupied by newly-formed Ossett United.
Dynamo aim to bounce back at home to Tadcaster Albion on Saturday (February 16).