By Lucas Monk

Dynamo have been on a barren run of late. They have lost their last three matches. Stourport Swifts (2-0), Romulus (1-0) and Long Eaton United (5-3 on penalties) have all inflicted defeat upon them in recent weeks.

But Damion Beckford-Quailey’s side will be hopeful of avenging last month’s 2-0 defeat to Sporting at the Aspray Arena. His team may have exited the Midland League Cup on penalties to Long Eaton on Tuesday night, but they produced an improved performance. They can also look to their imperious home form for inspiration, having suffered a single league defeat at The Dovecote since September.

However, Khalsa represent strong opposition. They sit fourth, directly above Shepshed, in the Midland Football League table. They also have the joint-best defensive record in the division, having conceded just 27 goals in their 25 matches. They may have suffered a 3-1 FA Vase defeat to a heavily-fancied Sholing team in their last outing, but they remain a firm contender for promotion - with four matches in hand on league leaders Ilkeston Town.

This should be a competitive encounter with little to choose between both. Chances were in plenitude in the reverse fixture. It was a compelling, end-to-end match that could have gone either way. Sean Williams and Liam Armstrong netted the decisive goals in the second half for Sporting.

Matt Melbourne, Pearson Mwanyongo and Celson Patrocinio shall have to be on song if Dynamo are to break down an obdurate Khalsa defence. The visitors’ impressive central defensive pairing of Tesfa Robinson and Leon Miles is perhaps the strongest such partnership in the league. At the other end of the field, they will look to expert marksman Dan Westwood to deliver.

Did you know: The Guardian interviewed Khalsa’s Dan Westwood in 2017 after he scored a remarkable 101 goals in 72 matches for Wolverhampton Sporting Community.

Updated 10:52 - 9 Feb 2019 by Shepshed Newsdesk