Match Report: Loughborough Dynamo 2 Shepshed Dynamo 0

Loughborough Dynamo beat local rivals Shepshed Dynamo 2-0 to win their third consecutive Dynamo Derby and go second in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division.

Both sides were desperate to win the game and get one over their local rivals with Shepshed trying to make amends for their two defeats last season and Loughborough trying to prove that they were the better team again this season.

As is often the case in big derby games, the first half was quite cagey, and you could tell both teams wanted to keep it tight as they didn’t want to make a mistake.

Both Loughborough and Shepshed had periods in the first half where they dominated but both struggled to create any clear-cut chances.

But as has often been the case so far this season, Loughborough have been clinical with the few chances they did have. When they had an attacking free kick in a promising position in the Shepshed half on 35 minutes they sent both central defenders up and when the ball was recycled and crossed in again Ed Cook was unmarked in the box to swivel, shoot and make it 1-0 to Loughborough.

It was clear that Shepshed Dynamo manager Damien Beckford-Quailey wanted to see more from his side in the second half as he sent them out early and he would have been pretty happy with the reaction that he got.

Shepshed started the second half really well and dominated most of the final 45 minutes. Just five minutes into the second half they could have scored twice with first Zayn Hakeem being played through on goal but Lewis King did well to tip the shot past the post before John King’s attempt was cleared off the line.

However, Loughborough managed to weather most of the Shepshed storm and started to hit the visitors on the break. Winger Jack Oldham grew into the game more for Loughborough and on a couple of occasions got down the wing to create an opportunity for The Moes.

And with just 11 minutes to go, Loughborough striker Isaac Stones who had only been on the pitch 15 minutes, held the ball up well in the centre of the park beat his man and showed great composure to finish past Brandon Ganley and put the game beyond doubt.

There was some controversy over the second goal as there was a shout for handball on Isaac Stones from the Shepshed players, but the referee didn’t agree.

Both sides have important games to look forward to at the weekend now as Loughborough host Sutton Coldfield in the league and will be looking to cement their place towards the top of the league while Shepshed host Coalville Town in the FA Cup First qualifying round.

Loughborough Dynamo: King, Thorogood, Whitehead, Cook, Finnerty, Waldram, Norris © (McNicholas 88’), Oldham, Tague (Coy 84’), Webster, Cole (Stones 64’).

Shepshed Dynamo: Ganley, Fridaye-Harper, O'Neill Brooks Smith, Betts Whymark (McDonald 71), King (Ruzvidzo 71), Ritzema, Arlott-John, John (Melbourne 83), Hakeem

Loughborough unused subs: Musgrove, Young

Shepshed unused subs: Wakeling, Sneddon

Loughborough goals: Cook Stones

Loughborough yellow card: Oldham

Shepshed yellow card: Brooks

Attendance: 384