Shepshed Dynamo off to a flyer
UHLSPORT UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SHEPSHED DYNAMO 5 NORTHAMPTON ON CHENECKS 0 SHEPSHED Dynamo opened their Uhlsport United Counties League Premier Division account with a resounding 5-0 victory over Northampton ON Chenecks at The Dovecote Stadium.
With a double from Liam Hurst, a Matt Melbourne penalty, a debut goal from John King and an opener from captain Jake Betts the game was effectively over after 32 minutes.
Dynamo included four new signings in their starting line up and looked full of energy from the first whistle. Jake Betts’ header being saved by Noah Murray in the Chenecks goal on four minutes.
It only took a further minute before Shepshed were to open their account, Jake Betts on the half volley beating Murray to give Shepshed the lead.
ON Chenecks were struggling to make any headway into the game with Murray saving from debutant John King on seven minutes and Dynamo followed with a hat trick of corners but failed to add to their tally.
It wasn’t long before Shepshed deservedly doubled their lead Hurst breaking into the box only to be felled by Adam Russell, with no hesitation from the match official pointing to the penalty spot. King stepped up to beat Murray to make it 2-0.
Dynamo continued to keep ON Chenecks on the back foot with constant pressure King’s effort straight at Murray on 14 minutes, then Hurst flashing an effort across the box with Melbourne and King forcing saves from Murray all within the space of five minutes.
Shepshed made it three on 21 minutes. Hurst chasing down and blocking Murray’s back pass clearance to walk the ball into an empty ON Chenecks net.
ON Chenecks first action of any note in the game came on 23 minutes with David Hunt firing an effort across the box and two minutes later another debutant for Dynamo Lewis White shielded the ball confidently away from danger.
Shepshed gave Manager Damion Beckford-Quailley a first half he could only dream of with King and Hurst combining well for Hurst to coolly lob Murray on 32 minutes to give Dynamo a four goal lead.
ON Chenecks never gave up and had a series of half chances before the break with Hunt’s header being cleared, captain Joe Lewington’s header over the crossbar and with very little to do in the first half keeper Matty White punching clear to keep Shepshed’s half time clean sheet.
In a more subdued second half Shepshed continued to dominate and to go onto comfortably claim their first three points of the season.
The fifth goal looked elusive with King’s effort blocked and Murray again denying Melbourne on 68 minutes.
Like the first half the visitor’s pressure and chances were few and far between and Shepshed continued to pile on the pressure, Stuart Smeather’s back pass was intercepted by Moore but he couldn’t convert passed Murray on 78 minutes. Then three minutes later Wymark came close with a free kick and Moore supplied Melbourne but his effort was wide of Murray’s goal.
Shepshed finally gained their fifth goal on 85 minutes Morris danced through the ON Chenecks and ended with him being brought down in the penalty box and Melbourne stepped up to convert the spot kick.
Shepshed put in a resounding and dominant team performance and put on an impressive display for the home fans to open their United Counties League Campaign in superb fashion. A first visit to the Dovecote Stadium which will Northampton ON Chenecks will want to forget.
Shepshed take a break from league action with Maltby Main the visitors to The Dovecote Stadium next Saturday in The FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round.