Barton Rovers 1-3 MK Irish

MK Irish produced a superb second-half comeback to beat Barton Rovers 3–1 away from home, turning the game around after going behind early and showing resilience to claim all three points.

Irish began brightly despite playing up the slope in the first half. Owen Brooks was lively from the outset, delivering two early crosses from the left that were cut out by Barton defenders before cutting inside and dragging a shot wide of the near post.

Although Irish were enjoying more of the attacking play, it was Barton who struck first on 14 minutes. A loose ball was worked back to a Barton midfielder on the edge of the area and he struck a clean first-time effort low into the corner, giving Ladyman little chance and putting the hosts ahead against the run of play.

Irish responded positively and continued to move the ball well in advanced areas. Shrieves linked up with Brooks and Ryan Smith on the edge of the box, with Smith’s first-time effort blocked by a Barton defender. Coleman then went close from a corner, his glancing header drifting inches wide of the far post as Irish pushed for a quick response.

The game took a significant turn on 28 minutes when the Barton goalscorer was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Coleman. Reduced to ten men, the hosts were forced to defend deeper as Irish increased the pressure.

Brooks was denied inside the box by a strong save from the Barton keeper, while Hirst fired over from the edge of the area. Despite their numerical advantage and growing control of possession, Irish could not find a breakthrough before the interval. Barton did threaten once more from a set piece, striking the bar from close range, but Irish went into the break just one goal behind.

Half Time: Barton Rovers 1–0 MK Irish

With the slope and wind now in their favour, Irish emerged for the second half with renewed intent. Barton had an early half chance from a corner, but Irish quickly settled and began to dictate the tempo.

The equaliser arrived on 53 minutes and it was a moment of real quality. Brooks collected the ball on the edge of the area, turned sharply away from his marker and unleashed a superb strike high into the top corner to bring Irish level.

The momentum was now firmly with the visitors. Shrieves saw a low effort saved as Irish continued to probe. At the other end Ladyman remained alert, making an important stop before reacting quickly to smother the rebound from a Barton forward.

Brooks remained a constant outlet and saw another low effort gathered by the keeper, while Irish had strong appeals for a handball inside the Barton area waved away.

As the match entered its closing stages, Irish maintained their pressure. Spence delivered a dangerous cross that was cleared at the expense of a corner, and the Barton keeper did well to claim under pressure from Kalek. Hirst then fired over after good work down the right as Irish searched for the winner.

The breakthrough finally came on 90 minutes. Shrieves delivered an excellent corner from the left that swung towards the back post where Zawe arrived to finish from close range, putting Irish ahead for the first time in the match.

Barton committed bodies forward during stoppage time, even sending their goalkeeper up for a long throw, but Irish dealt with it calmly. When the ball was cleared, Marsh-Brown picked it up inside the Irish half and showed composure to carry the ball forward before rolling it into the empty net to seal the victory.

Full Time: Barton Rovers 1–3 MK Irish

Brooks (53), Zawe (90), Marsh-Brown (90+9)

Man of the Match
Ollie Coleman

Irish showed character to recover from an early setback and controlled the second half with maturity and composure. After a demanding run of fixtures, it was another strong away performance and a thoroughly deserved three points.