County Cup action got underway for Shepshed Dynamo on Tuesday night as Barwell visited the Dovecote. A host of familiar faces in the Barwell camp returned to LE12 including former manager Damion Beckford-Quailey. Joining Damion in the dugout was another ex-Dynamo manager, and now Barwell boss, Jimmy Ginelly.

Former Shepshed players Zayn Hakeem, Elwalid Elhaghany and Sidik Atcha all lined up for Barwell to face a much-changed Dynamo outfit. Manager Gary Drake, former assistant to Beckford-Quailey, brought three new faces into the matchday squad. Defenders Harry Harrison and Tyler Johal would occupy the full back positions while Raj Palit partnered Callum Burkey in central midfield.

A strong substitutes bench for Shepshed was completed by the final new addition in midfielder Charlie Yates. Regular first-teamers Jude Collins, Ben Bayliss, Jowan Partridge and Jack Rogers completed a strong Dynamo substitutes bench.

A cagey first ten minutes resulted in the away side gaining the advantage. A long clearance forward set Zayn Hakeem clear of the Dynamo defence. Left one-on-one with Dan Wallis, the Dynamo captain saved Hakeem’s first effort but the ball returned to the feet of the former Shepshed attacker to tuck home the opening goal from six yards at the second attempt.

It took the home side a further ten minutes to settle and begin to find opportunities to attack the Barwell defence. A 20th minute long throw from the left, aimed towards the near post by Sam Warburton, evaded the Barwell defence. Striker Tristan Dunkley connected with the looping ball but fired his effort wide of the target from close range.

In an action-packed five minute spell, Barwell captain Prince Mancinelli tried his luck from 25 yards, launching a low drive that skidded past Dan Wallis’ right-hand post. In the 23rd minute, Raj Palit burst into the penalty area and aimed a high effort at Finn Osborn’s goal. Palit’s strike caught too much elevation and cleared the crossbar to the relief of the away side.

Dynamo had their best chance of the half following a 33rd minute corner. Callum Burkey’s delivery from the left met the head of defender Chad Timson. The downward header, bound for the bottom right-hand corner was superbly kept out by Osborn. The Barwell ‘keeper showed good reflexes to keep his team in the lead.

Josh Allen then had an opportunity after 39 minutes on the edge of the Barwell penalty area. The young Dynamo striker, featuring on the wing this evening, aimed a half-volley towards the bottom corner with goalkeeper Osborn again moving across to gather safely.

Barwell’s final opportunity to increase their lead came after 41 minutes. Elhaghany, a defender in his time at Dynamo, found space for a shot 10 yards from goal. The now-striker ended up scuffing his effort as ‘keeper Wallis watched the ball skid harmlessly wide of his far post.

An encouraging first half performance from the new-look Dynamo gave those inside the Dovecote high hopes for the second half. It would turn out to be the away side who would have the first opportunity of the half at goal after 53 minutes. A central free kick, 25 yards out, was taken by captain Prince Mancinelli. The Barwell skipper had the curl on the ball but not the accuracy as his effort sailed wide of the target.

In a tight second half of few chances, substitute Charlie Yates looked to try and bring Dynamo back into the game. A shot on the turn after 74 minutes from just inside the 18-yard box was well blocked by the Barwell defence with the ball heading towards the target.

The last of the evening’s action saw Barwell try and round the game off in style. Substitute Charlie Dowd cut inside from the left flank and raced towards the Shepshed goal. A powerful effort from Dowd, just inside the area, sailed harmlessly over the bar as stoppage time ticked away.

Full time and Shepshed bow out of the Leicestershire & Rutland County Cup for another year following a narrow defeat. A close game with a heavily rotated squad is testament to the strength in depth that manager Gary Drake has at his disposal. A satisfying win no doubt for those returning to the Dovecote in the Barwell camp as attention for both sides turns back to the league on Saturday. Dynamo face a trip to Anstey Nomads while Barwell take on Real Bedford at home.

Dynamo: Wallis, Harrison, Johal, Timson, Warburton, Burkey, Korpal (Yates 59’), Palit, Reason, Dunkley, Allen

Barwell: Osborn, McDonald, Grewal-Pollard, Cook, Atcha, Mancinelli (Richards 61’), Hakeem, Hill, Waite, Singh, Elhaghany (Seaton 45’)

Attendance: 153