Flackwell Heath 1-0 MK Irish

The hosts started the brighter of the two sides and created the first opening when a move down the left found a forward inside the box, but his effort was scuffed straight at Tom Ladyman. Irish responded with a set piece of their own, as Ryan Smith’s corner was headed off the line before Mason Spence struck the rebound on the volley, forcing a save from the goalkeeper.

Flackwell Heath continued to pose a threat, particularly with balls played in behind. One chance saw a forward put through one-on-one but drag his shot wide, while another opportunity inside the six yard box was also pushed the wrong side of the post as Irish rode their luck.

Ladyman was alert to danger on several occasions, coming off his line to gather a dangerous low cross before the hosts fired a long-range effort narrowly over the bar after a driving run through midfield.

Irish struggled to find their usual rhythm but did create chances of their own. Owen Brooks cut inside from the left and squared to Spence, whose effort drifted just over, while JJ Meadows saw an overhead kick blocked after good work inside the box.

The hosts took the lead on 29 minutes. A free kick from the left was delivered into the area and as Ladyman came to claim, a forward got there first to glance a header over him and into the net.

Irish looked to respond before the break. Meadows forced a save from a tight angle and Brooks was involved in a move that ended with a blocked effort inside the area, but the hosts went into the interval ahead.

Half Time: Flackwell Heath 1–0 MK Irish

Irish improved after the restart and began to see more of the ball. Meadows saw an effort blocked on the edge of the box before Brooks was played in behind but the goalkeeper reacted quickly to deny him at close range.

There were further chances for the visitors. A free kick from Spence found Meadows in the area, but his glancing header was turned away by the keeper, while Ryan Smith set up a shot for Ben Shepherd that curled just wide of the far post.

At the other end, Ladyman was called into action to deny a close range effort, while later he reacted quickly to block a one-on-one chance before the rebound was also cleared as Irish kept themselves in the game.

Irish pushed forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser. Kelvin Osei-Addo came closest with a low effort from the edge of the box, but the goalkeeper got down to make the save.

Despite late pressure, Irish were unable to find a breakthrough as the hosts held on to take the points.

Full Time: Flackwell Heath 1–0 MK Irish