November rain greeted Shepshed Dynamo and Wellingborough Town at the Dovecote this afternoon as soaking conditions made for a challenging playing surface for both sides. Dynamo boss Gary Drake took a dip into the transfer market this week bringing back defender Elwalid Elhaghany from Barwell.

Joining Elhaghany was midfielder Ryan Hayes, also from Barwell, with both players arriving on dual registration. Hayes would begin on the substitutes bench while Elhaghany replaced Jowan Partridge at centre back in the starting lineup.

Ex-Premier League striker Nile Ranger, most recently at Kettering Town, led the line for Wellingborough with the visitors high on confidence after a thumping 4-0 win against Bedworth United last time out. Dangerman Danny Draper managed to bag two of those goals during that emphatic win and retained his place in Wellingborough’s midfield.

Despite the dour conditions, Dynamo began the game brightly. Callum Burkey caught an early sight of the Wellingborough goal and set about testing goalkeeper Dean Snedker inside ten minutes. Burkey’s effort from 12 yards produced a smart save from the Town stopper to snuff out the danger.

Shepshed’s relentless desire to put the ball into the Wellingborough penalty area produced an opportunity for Jude Collins after 18 minutes. The in-form winger cracked a fierce volley low at goal from halfway inside the 18-yard box which beat the ‘keeper but not the last man as the ball was hurriedly cleared off the line.

The first threat to the home side’s goal came from Nile Ranger with 25 minutes played. Ranger received the ball on the edge of the box and turned his man to produce a low shot. Goalkeeper Dan Wallis got down to gather at the near post, keeping the scores level.

Shepshed’s willingness to throw men forward backfired momentarily after 42 minutes. Substitute Taylor Franklin was played in behind the Dynamo defence and began to advance at speed towards Dan Wallis’ goal. A superb last-ditch challenge from Elhaghany swept the ball away from Franklin as the attacker was all set to pull the trigger from 10 yards out. An outstanding recovery from the Dynamo defender.

Elhaghany’s heroics weren’t quite over yet. A 57th minute corner by Jack Rogers looked to be gathered safely under the crossbar by goalkeeper Snedker. Unfortunately, the Wellingborough ‘keeper mishandled the ball onto the waiting head of Elhaghany to force the ball over the line and into the roof of the net for the game’s opening goal.

The big defender was close to notching a second after 61 minutes. A searching cross from the left, courtesy of Jude Collins, found Elhaghany at the far post. The centre-back’s header had the power but unfortunately not the placement as the ball sailed wide of Snedker’s upright.

Shepshed were holding firm at the back with the weather continuing to deteriorate into heavier rainfall. Wellingborough’s Lloyd Buckby decided to try and test Dan Wallis from range as his 25-yard effort was struck well but aimed straight at the Dynamo stopper to allow for a comfortable save after 75 minutes.

In the last chance saloon for the away side, Will Jones managed to find space on the right of the penalty area. The angle was always against Jones as his near post effort was partly blocked by recovering defender Jack Samples. The block sent a frustrated Jones’ effort high and wide with ten minutes left to play.

A resolute performance whilst being battered by the elements was testament to the strength of Dynamo’s side. A third straight home victory, earned through a gritty performance, will no doubt please manager Gary Drake - sending the fans home happy, if a little damp. Wellingborough will eye a return to winning ways at home to Anstey Nomads next Saturday while Shepshed face a trip to Lichfield City.

Dynamo: Wallis, Samples, Peart, Elhaghany, Friend, Rogers, Dixon, Prenderville, Bayliss, Collins (Korpal 82’), Burkey

Wellingborough Town: Snedker, Warburton, Inman, Green, Walker, Draper (Johnson 52’), Buckby, Ranger, Jones, Abrahamu (Franklin 21’ then Robinson 64’), Barnell (Pursey 77’)

Attendance: 161