Shepshed Dynamo got back on the road once again this week following a disappointing 1–0 defeat at Corby Town on Wednesday. Today’s opponents, Coventry Sphinx, were also trying to find their first three points of March following five losses and a draw so far this month.

Dynamo boss Gary Drake chose to make two changes to the starting line-up from Wednesday evening, with defender Ben Richards replacing Fin Ryder and Jack Samples coming in for Ben Bayliss.

The bright sunshine was matched by an equally bright start from the men in yellow, as Dynamo, sporting their away colours, were quick out of the blocks. A looping ball over the Sphinx defence set Jesse Friend free inside the first minute. Friend reached the ball but was denied by a superb early intervention from goalkeeper Lewis Elsom, who got down low to divert the ball away from the Dynamo attackers’ feet.

The fourth minute presented another opportunity for Shepshed to find the net early on. Good work from Callum Burkey on the right resulted in the ball being cut back for Jowan Partridge, positioned centrally 18 yards from goal. Partridge took a swing at the ball but got underneath it, sending his shot over Elsom’s crossbar.

Dynamo’s early pressure soon paid off as Jude Collins delivered a 10th-minute corner from the right. The inswinging delivery was met by a glancing header from Niall Prenderville, who found the far corner to put the visitors ahead. It was Prenderville’s second goal in six games and no less than Dynamo deserved after a strong start.

Coventry Sphinx did get an opportunity to test Dan Wallis in the Shepshed goal with a free-kick from 30 yards out to the left of goal. A dipping effort from Antonio Cristofaro looked to be heading under the crossbar, but for a fingertip save from Wallis in the 27th minute.

The 37th minute provided Dynamo with another golden opportunity to double their lead. Jude Collins produced a low cross from the left flank that found Callum Burkey alone at the near post. Burkey’s connection wasn’t enough to trouble Elsom, as his scuffed effort was easily collected by the Sphinx goalkeeper.

Dynamo began the second half in the same manner in which they had started the first. A corner, once again from the left, was sent into the box by Jude Collins after 48 minutes. The ball found its way to the far post, where Jesse Friend took the opportunity to fire a low drive into the near post, beating Elsom. Double delight for Dynamo and the perfect start to the half.

The home side poured forward in search of a way back into the game and almost found one after 64 minutes. Matthew Dawson tried his luck through a crowd of bodies from 25 yards, with the ball taking a big deflection. As luck would have it, the sting was taken out of the shot and Wallis was able to gather comfortably.

Jude Collins then looked to turn from provider to goalscorer as the Dynamo winger danced through the Sphinx defence 25 yards from goal. Collins worked the ball onto his left foot and hit a high effort that narrowly whistled past the top left-hand corner in the 69th minute.

As the game entered stoppage time, Coventry Sphinx reminded Shepshed that it wasn’t quite over yet. A free-kick from substitute Jared Bradshaw was lifted into the penalty area, finding captain Jack Downes. The Sphinx skipper got his shot away from a tight angle, requiring a save from the feet of Wallis at the near post.

Shepshed almost crowned the game with a stunning team goal with the last kick of the match. A cross to the far post found Jack Rogers, who in turn lifted an inviting ball back across goal. Running in to meet it was substitute Josh Allen, who struck a low volley, forcing a superb reaction save from Elsom on the line.

Dynamo are back to winning ways and, in doing so, have now surpassed last season’s points total with seven fixtures remaining. The win moves Gary Drake’s men up to seventh in the league, with a cluster of teams still in with a shout of a play-off finish.

Coventry Sphinx continue to battle against the drop and will look to rediscover some form as they face a trip to in-form Coleshill Town. Shepshed will look to build on today’s win with a home tie on Saturday against Long Eaton United.
Dynamo: Wallis, Samples, Peart, Partridge, Friend (Ryder 83’), Burkey (Rogers 86’), Korpal, Richards (Dixon 70’), Prenderville (Bayliss 87’), Timson, Collins (Allen 90’)

Coventry Sphinx: Elsom, Downes, Morby, Digie (Lloyd 67’), Zito, Draper, Dawson, Adueni (Abrahamu 46’), Sanderson-Ellis, Cristofaro, Kelly (Bradshaw 58’)

Attendance: 101