MK Irish 3-2 Hertford Town

The hosts made a positive start in bright conditions, moving the ball well in the opening stages and asking early questions of the Hertford defence. Marsh-Brown was involved immediately down the left, seeing one early delivery land on the roof of the net, while at the other end Nat Beecher was alert to deny Hertford as they looked to break forward.

Irish were given an early warning when a ball over the top sent the Hertford forward through on goal. Ladyman came off his line but the attacker’s effort clipped the underside of the bar and bounced back into play, a let-off that seemed to sharpen Irish’s focus.

The hosts responded well and began to apply sustained pressure. Marsh-Brown and Ryan Smith combined to work the ball to Hirst on the edge of the box, but his first-time effort drifted wide. Shrieves then drove directly at the defence, beating two players before sliding a shot narrowly past the far post.

Irish made their pressure count shortly after. Ryan Smith picked up possession just outside the area on the left, drove forward and placed a composed low finish across the goalkeeper and into the far corner to open the scoring.

The second goal followed soon after. A promising move initially broke down, but Shrieves reacted quickest, collecting the loose ball on the right side of the box. He danced past his marker and saw his low effort take a deflection on its way past the stranded keeper to double Irish’s lead inside 20 minutes.

Irish continued to threaten before the break and could have extended their advantage. Hirst set up Shrieves inside the area, but his effort flew over the bar, while Spence saw a header land on the roof of the net from a deep corner. Marsh-Brown remained a constant outlet on the left, delivering another dangerous ball across goal that required a crucial interception. Despite Hertford having a couple of half chances, Irish went into the interval firmly in control.

Half Time: MK Irish 2–0 Hertford Town

Irish looked to maintain their tempo after the restart and Spence fired over from the edge of the area early in the second half. However, Hertford reduced the deficit on 51 minutes when a strike from outside the box took a heavy deflection, wrong-footing Ladyman and bringing the visitors back into the contest.

The response from Irish was immediate and emphatic. Just two minutes later, Shrieves collected the ball outside the area, turned away from his marker and drove into the box before calmly slotting past the keeper to restore the two-goal cushion and claim his second of the afternoon.

Irish continued to look the more dangerous side and created further chances. Shrieves was denied a hat-trick when his header from Marsh-Brown’s cross was well saved, while Brooks saw a powerful effort tipped onto the bar. Moments later, Spence was also denied from close range after good work down the right.

Hertford continued to push and were given encouragement by a spell of pressure midway through the half. Ladyman was forced into an important save from distance before Kalek produced a vital goal-line clearance to deny the visitors after a scramble inside the area.

As the match entered stoppage time, Hertford pulled a second goal back. A cross from the left was headed home at the far post to make it 3–2 and set up a nervy finish.

Irish showed composure in the closing moments, defending resolutely through six minutes of added time to see out the win and claim three well-earned points.

Full Time: MK Irish 3–2 Hertford Town

Ryan Smith (13), Shrieves (18, 53)