Match Report  |  Shepshed Dynamo vs Gresley Rovers

Rovers’ tentative grip on their Northern Premier League membership is even more slender after they suffered a defeat at near neighbours Shepshed Dynamo.

The failure to take the chances as they arrived during this game continued the difficulties that have been evident for most of the season saw another game with no goals in the plus column. Chances were created but not taken which ultimately led to this disappointing defeat.

Rovers’ were without Josh Egginton and John King as they went into the game and were soon under pressure with Louie Turner having to make an early save tipping Mason Lee’s shot over the bar after just three minutes. Jack Tyson had the first chance for the visitors with a shot off target minutes later.

Dynamo were forced into an early change with Shaquille O’Neil Brooks replacing Pearson Mwanyongo and three minutes later Richard Hanslow had a glorious opportunity to give Rovers the lead but his shot from close in was well saved by home keeper Brandon Ganley.

Rovers went close again on 18 minutes when a cross from the left was fumbled by Ganley before grabbing the ball at the second attempt with Charlie Knowles ready to pounce.

Turner had his palms warmed from a well struck shot and with the action at the other end Dylan Hunniford had a shot pushed away for a corner by Ganley. Rovers’ keeper was then in action again making a save from a low shot.

With the first half nearly at an end a blistering shot from Martin Smyth brushed the outside of the far post before Dynamo made another change with James Shaw replacing Mason Lee. Rovers finished with two successive corners almost on the whistle.

Rovers started the second half in a similar fashion with two successive corners but on 57 minutes came arguably the turning point of the game. Hunniford made a sliding tackle on former Moatman Reece Morris which looked worse because of the wet surface. The referee Richard Morris appeared to take out a yellow card but after consulting his assistant and pleadings from Dynamo players and bench changed his mind and harshly showed the young player a straight red much to the bewilderment of visiting players, supporters and management.

Rovers were still in the game at this point adn were the side pressing forward. However, Rovers were grateful to Turner for keeping them in the game when a long ball played forward was very well blocked as he dashed out of his goal. Dynamo made their final change with Shaun Ruzvidzo replacing Callum Burkey and he was soon causing Rovers’ defence problems.

Dynamo went close with Turner having to make two great blocks from close in while a fast break saw some good play between Kieran O’Connell and Hanslow ending with the latter shooting just wide of the near post.

That was the last action for O’Connell as he was replaced by Hadyn Brown and 5 minutes later Hanslow replaced by Jenson Cooper. Knowles went close with his well struck effort being deflected into the side netting.

Turner was still the busier of the two keepers making another fine save tipping the ball over the bar, but it wasn’t long before Dynamo took the lead. Morris who purported to have been badly injured for the red card had been running freely up and down the flank since the incident and on one of his runs he put in the cross to the far post which Ruzvidzo knocked into the net.

You could see the effort drain out of the Rovers’ players and four minutes later Dynamo scored their second through Shaquille Master.

Knowles almost grabbed a late consolation goal but finding himself in on goal with only the keeper to beat was denied by Ganley.

A disappointing end which left Rovers clinging on by the very tips of their fingertips relying on results from Rugby and Rushden to go their way which is not the best position to be in. Rovers have a blank Saturday before their final game away at Corby Town and will have a close eye on their relegation opponents’ results.