Leverstock Green 2-0 MK Irish

Irish started on the front foot and saw more of the ball during the opening period. Ryan Smith produced the first effort of note, forcing a low save from the goalkeeper, while Mason Spence’s clipped cross from the right was caught by the wind and landed on top of the net.

Despite controlling much of the early play, clear-cut chances were limited. Leverstock Green’s first real opportunity was well dealt with by Freddy Joyce, who tracked back well to prevent a clean strike on goal. At the other end, Smith again tested the keeper from distance, drawing another save as Irish continued to apply pressure.

A setback arrived midway through the half as George Shrieves was forced off through injury, with Kwai Marsh-Brown introduced earlier than expected. The substitute quickly became involved, delivering a cross that deflected kindly into the path of Owen Brooks, whose hooked volley was kept out by another save.

Irish continued to push without reward. Smith fired narrowly wide of the near post, while JJ Meadows saw an effort blocked, as the visitors ended the half with the better of the play but nothing to show for it.

Half Time: Leverstock Green 0–0 MK Irish

With the wind now favouring the hosts, the second half remained a tight and scrappy contest. Irish still looked the more likely side to find a breakthrough, with Spence sending in a dangerous corner that Rev Kalek headed wide.

Marsh-Brown linked well with Ryan Smith on the edge of the area before seeing his shot hit the side netting, while another effort from Smith, this time from a free kick, drifted wide in the wind.

Leverstock Green threatened occasionally, forcing a corner after a blocked effort inside the box, but Ladyman remained relatively untroubled. Irish continued to create the better openings, with substitute Kyle Boyce adding energy in the final third. He forced a save after driving into the box, before Marsh-Brown and Spence both saw efforts blocked as the pressure increased.

Despite their dominance, Irish were unable to find the breakthrough, and the game took a decisive turn late on. A challenge inside the area resulted in a penalty for the hosts, which was converted with a low finish into the corner to give them the lead with less than 10 minutes remaining.

Irish pushed forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, but it was not to be. With time almost up, a defensive mistake allowed the hosts to break through and double their advantage with a composed finish to seal the result.

Full Time: Leverstock Green 2–0 MK Irish