Preview: Shepshed Dynamo (H) – Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round

Long Eaton United entertain Northern Premier League Midlands Division side Shepshed Dynamo at Grange Park on Saturday afternoon in the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round.

The Blues come into this cup tie in fine form, after winning their opening three games of the season in all competitions.

Ian Deakin’s sides' most recent victory came at the Vertigo Stadium as they overcame Skegness Town 3-0 in what was a feisty early top of the table clash.

James Gale opened the scoring with an outstanding solo goal - one that saw him escape three Lilywhites defenders and rocket a strike from 20 yards out into the top left corner, before Alex Marshall and James Taylor netted low driven-strikes late in the second half.

Shepshed Dynamo travelled to Halesowen Town on Tuesday evening in their second league match of the season, in which they were overwhelming defeated 5-1, which means they are yet to secure a league win so far this season.

The visitors scored first through Matt Melbourne only three minutes into the match, but from the 17th minute, the flood gates opened, as Richard Gregory, Christopher Lait, Kyle Finn, Harry White, and Jamie Molyneux all netted to take Halesowen to the top of the table.

Previous Meetings –

The last time both sides met in the Emirates FA Cup was during the 2013/14 season, when Shepshed Dynamo took a trip to Grange Park in the Preliminary Round.

Long Eaton were 4-0 victors in that game, due to goals from former Blues Ben Watkiss, Bradley Wells and Gerome Palmer.

That victory saw the Blues take on Coalville Town in the First Qualifying Round, but unfortunately, they were beaten 3-2, which meant focus turned to their Northern Counties East League Premier Division season.

However, Long Eaton and Shepshed last faced each other in March 2019, when both teams competed in the Midland Football League Premier Division.

The Blues once again entertained Dynamo at Grange Park, but that game ended in a 2-2 draw, with goals coming from former Blues Tom Gamblen and Ruben Wiggins-Thomas.

Since then, Shepshed Dynamo have gone on to compete in step four but have still not progressed past the Preliminary Round of the Emirates FA Cup since the 2017/18 season.

Thus, this Emirates FA Cup tie will be important for both sides, and it is sure to be one for the history books.

Managers Quotes –

Looking ahead to what is going to be a tough match against opposition one step higher, manager Ian Deakin said: “Every game is a big game, like I tell the lads – it does not matter who you play against or where you play, every time you put your boots on, you go out to win and you play hard.”

“We will prepare through the week, training like we always do – we will work hard, but they are a fit bunch of lads, so I know they will ready come Saturday.”

When asked whether he knew much about the step four side, Deakin added: “Shepshed are a good side, I have come across them in the past when I have played against them myself and they have always been a good team at this level.”

“They [Shepshed Dynamo] will come to us and they will undoubtedly give it a good go, but we will try and turn up and play them off the park.

“It is a cup tie at the end of the day and if you lose then there is no progression past that game, so my lads will be ready to go.”

After a tough match the weekend prior, Deakin was adamant that the Blues would go into the match with bucket loads of confidence and momentum.

“Going off the back of the win last weekend, it would have given the lads a lot of confidence, because they know they can take everything that is going to be thrown at them. So, we are excited for the challenge”, Deakin concluded.

Team News -

Blues’ captain Mitchell Robinson will serve the first match of his three-match ban against Shepshed Dynamo, after receiving a straight red card for a scuffle last weekend against Skegness Town.

Romaine Graham and Marley Fearon look to be prospects for Robinson’s spot, so they will no doubt be looking to impress during training in the week.

Ticket Information –

£6 Adults
£4 Concessions
U16s FREE with a paying adult

The match kicks off at 3:00 pm and we advise all supporters to arrive early to avoid any queues or delays.

Entry can only be purchased at the gate with cash; however, card and cash payments are accepted at the bar and at the kitchen.

The brand-new matchday programme will once again be on sale for this fixture, and that will continue for every home game (league and cup) throughout the 2021/22 season.

£2 Matchday Programmes

You can see the team line-ups outside the hospitality room or on our official Twitter, where there will also be live updates from the match.