Shepshed fightback to win five goal thriller
BUILDBASE FA VASE SHEPSHED DYNAMO 3
MELTON TOWN 2 SHEPSHED Dynamo progressed to the second round of The Buildbase FA Vase. Melton may feel Shepshed were fortunate to progress as they clawed back a two goal deficit to win the tie 3-2 at The Dovecote Stadium on Saturday.
Melton Town currently second in the Uhlsport United Counties League Division 1 took the game to their hosts from the start and were two goals up within the first ten minutes through goals from Sam Beaver and Tom Harris.
In fact they had enough chances to have the tie out of Shepshed’s reach before half time.
But with under 20 minutes remaining Niall Prendeville on his 200th appearance for Shepshed headed them back into the game and a double on his full debut for Liam Canavan gave Dynamo the lead.
Melton came out of the blocks flying and were in the lead within the first minute of the game Tom Manship
adavanced down the right wing and Jake Betts blocked Melton’s initial shot but the deflection fell to Sam Beaver free on the left handside to slot past Matty White.
Shepshed looked to respond on four minutes Jordan Smith’s shot was saved by Rob Peet and a minute later John King’s shot was blocked by Manship.
Melton were vibrant and slick on the break and Shepshed were struggling todeal with their speedy wide outlets. Manship again on eight minutes his cross was part cleared only for Corey Bucalussi to fire wide.
Dynamo’s day got worse a minute later Manship again advanced down the right his cross evaded the Shepshed defence and Tom Harris was on his own at the far post to fire into the roof of the net past White. Zak Munton then forced a further save from White on 12 minutes,
Shepshed tried to steady the ship and try to gain some control over the game Reece Morris down the left had his effort blocked on 17 minutes. Rob Peet then saved from Matt Melbourne on 19 minutes and hedealt comfortably with Betts header a minute later.
Both teams had chances in the final five minutes of the half with Shay Brennan’s effort blocked on 42 minutes and Canavan’s effort saved by Peet straight after.
Town were to have two chances of their own with saving from Munton on 44 minutes andManship off target a minute later.
Shepshed had weathered a brief storm and were still in this tie but needed a vital goal to give them a lifeline. Canavan headed Morris through on 69 minutes but Morris’s effort went into the side netting and a minute later Brennan’s effort deflected wide.
Dynamo made their break through on 71 minutes from Canavan’s corner, Prenderville positioned himself to lever a free header which beat Peet into the corner of the net.
Melton nearly restored their two goal advantage a minute later Harris shot was one on one with White who managed to block the initial shot Harris then responded to the rebound but Betts was on the line to chest down the ball and clear the danger.
Shepshed levelled on 76 minutes after a neat passing move down the left
Tamar Clayton’s cross was cleared only straight back to him, with the outside of his right boot he found Canavan on the edge of the area who powerfully headed passed Peet.
Six minutes later and Dynamo were in front Canavan’s left sided corner going straight into the Melton net. Despite objections from Peet who thought he was impeded on trying to reach the corner and lengthy discussions with other Town players the referee stood by his original decision and gave the goal.
Melton had one further chance to get back into the game but Dunn’s effort went off target as Shepshed held onto claim their place in the second round of the FA Vase when they will play host to Worcester City - the side which put Dynamo out of the Vase last season.
Although there has been no clear guidelines from the Uhlsport United Counties League unless the lockdown is extended, Shepshed’s next game could be at Pinchbeck United on December 5, followed by Leicester Nirvana at home on December 12.