FA Cup fever arrived at the Dovecote with the Preliminary Round tie to be decided between Shepshed Dynamo and Clay Cross FC. Dynamo had turned around a 2-0 deficit to emerge victorious at Wolverhampton City in the previous round while Clay Cross made it into the hat with a 3-1 win over Tividale.

One change for the home side came in midfield as Archie May was replaced by Kyle Dixon. Clay Cross’ heroes from the previous round Tim Gregory and Jack Billam both started for the The Millers, hoping for more of the same.

Within the first two minutes, Dynamo had their first sight on goal. A lofted through ball set striker Dylan Reason away from the Clay Cross defence. Reason attempted to lob goalkeeper Louis Kinnerley but underhit his effort leading to an easy take for Kinnerley.

On eleven minutes, the visitors caught the Dynamo defence napping. Biramo Diallo burst down the left and rapidly closed in on the Shepshed goal. Goalkeeper Dan Wallis rushed out to narrow the angle and produced a smart save to deny Diallo the opener.

Clay Cross were getting a little too close for comfort and almost took the lead on eighteen minutes. An inswinging free kick from Michael Williams out on the left was met by a diving header from Tim Gregory at the far post. However, celebrations were short-lived as the linesman’s flag chalked off the goal.

After weathering the visitors' early storm, Dynamo won a free kick 30 yards out to the right of the penalty area. Jude Collins’ delivery met a flick-on at the near post with the ball finding defender Declan Peart to loop a header up and over Kinnerley. Peart’s second goal in the FA Cup this season gave Dynamo the lead after 29 minutes.

Two minutes before half time, Clay Cross threatened Dan Wallis’ goal once again. A poor clearance from Ben Bayliss at the far post fell to Biramo Diallo. Diallo again looked for power but his effort, much like his first, was matched by a superb flying save from Wallis. Thanks to the reflexes of their captain, Shepshed went in at half time with the lead intact.

The second half began with Clay Cross pushing for an equaliser. A long throw from the left, courtesy of Brad Newby, eventually found striker Jack Billam on the edge of the box. A knockdown into Billam’s path produced a chance for the attacker to pounce. Unfortunately for Billam, his 48th minute effort flew wide of the far post.

Billam’s miss would prove costly as two minutes later Shepshed would double their lead. A long ball met a flick on from Dylan Reason to set Jack Rogers clear of the visitors backline. Rogers stayed composed and took the ball round Kinnerley to slide the ball into an empty net. Double delight for Shepshed early in the second half.

It was very nearly three with 78 minutes played. Declan Peart’s long throw into the Clay Cross area was headed across goal by Jesse Friend. Waiting at the far post, unmarked, was Chad Timson. A bullet header, destined for the top corner, was incredibly saved by Kinnerley who single-handedly palmed the ball behind for a corner.

Despite Kinnerley’s heroics, Clay Cross ended up going a man down with ten minutes of normal time left to play. Substitute Terry Atem attempted to skip past defender Brandon Shaw. Atem’s run was halted by a cynical foul which resulted in an early bath for Shaw. Clay Cross now had it all to do.

Seven minutes later, Friend had an opportunity to make the game safe. Breaking clear of a rapidly tiring defensive line, Friend’s powerful shot just inside the area produced another excellent save from Kinnerley.

The relentless Dynamo onslaught on Kinnerley’s goal finally came to an end with the referee blowing the whistle for full time. Shepshed had got through in dominant fashion after a close first half and the scoreline flattered the home side in the end. The First Round qualifying takes place on August 30th with Dynamo fans no doubt eager to find out who their next opponents will be. Shepshed resume league action on Tuesday away at Long Eaton United.

Dynamo: Wallis, Bayliss, Peart, Timson, Collins (Allen 79’), Friend, Prenderville, Barber (Partridge 75’), Rogers, Reason (Atem 68’), Dixon (Burkey 71’)

Clay Cross: Kinnerley, Milner (Clegg 55’), Murr, Newby (Starbuck 55’), Taylor, Shaw, Gregory, Williams, Taylor, Billam, Diallo (Cross 80’)

Attendance: 200