Shepshed Dynamo’s first game of 2020 was an eventful one as they roared back to defeat local rivals Quorn at the Dovecote and return to the top of the United Counties League.
Matt Melbourne and John King were on target in quick succession as the hosts produced a spirited second-half comeback to avenge November’s 2-1 loss at Farley Way.
Dynamo got off to the worst possible start when, after a tepid opening 10 minutes, Quorn’s Steve Hart found himself felled inside the box. The referee awarded a penalty, and the talismanic striker made no mistake and rolled the ball nonchalantly into the net.
The decision was one of many that engendered a little ire from a home crowd of more than 300 supporters, but the hosts found themselves presented with a gilt-edged chance to restore parity just five minutes later. Leavi Oshungbure sent Tom McElroy to the ground, and, again, the referee had no choice but to award a spot-kick.
To the horror of the home supporters, Melbourne failed to convert the opportunity. Quorn goalkeeper Max Culverwell, on loan from Notts County, was quick to dive to his left and parry away the shot.
The first half was bitty and scrappy and short of quality. Clear-cut chances were few and far between, and at a sort of Fabergé egg premium. Nonetheless, Shepshed had to throw themselves into a succession of blocks to deny Quorn a second goal as the interval approached.
During the break, Shepshed boss Damion Beckford-Quailey threw on Reece Morris in place of McElroy. The change paid dividends early in the second period.
First, on 59 minutes, Melbourne received possession on the edge of the Quorn box. Clearly unfazed by his earlier miss, he advanced toward goal and pulled the trigger and guided a precise shot into the bottom corner to send the supporters into raptures.
Shepshed then turned the match on its head just two minutes thereafter by virtue of a swift, lethal counter-attack. Liam Hurst got free on the left and crossed the ball into the area, and there was King to force the ball home from close range.
The goal sparked exultant celebrations and breathed new life into the crowd, which had not had a great deal about which to get excited prior to Melbourne’s strike. Impassioned chants filled the air as Dynamo battled to keep hold of the lead.
With an increasingly vociferous crowd behind them, the hosts ground out the victory. Quorn offered little in the way of an attacking threat, and seemed to have too great a dependence on the long throws of Oshungbure to create an elusive opportunity. A big roar of approval greeted the full-time whistle and gave way to a party atmosphere as Shepshed’s returned to the top of the table ahead of Tuesday’s League Cup clash at home to Deeping Rangers.
It was a solid, stoic and spirited team performance that carried the day for Beckford-Quailey and his charges. Shepshed played with a boundless energy and an almost irrepressible tenacity, and their endeavour made them good value for the victory. The defence, with club captain Jake Betts at its heart, was instrumental. Morris and Hurst provided a potent threat on the counter, with Niall Prenderville and Karl Whymark offering them, and the defence, ample support whilst Melbourne defended from the front. All this left Matty White with little to do in between the sticks, but this attests to the quality of Dynamo’s second half showing.
There are worse ways to start a year.
Dynamo: M. White, L. White, Wakeling, Betts, Armstrong, King, Whymark (Doy 84’), Prenderville, McElroy (Morris 46’), Hurst, Melbourne (Wakefield 87’).
Unused substitutes: Day, Pryor.
Quorn: Culverwell, Ebanks, Chapman, Bennett, Marshall (Rowland 89’), Oshungbure, Reid, Dale, Mangondoza (Brown 79’), Hart, Jebbison (Brothwell 51’).
Unused substitutes: Henchcliffe, Nyoni.