MK Irish 3-2 Leverstock Green

MK Irish showed outstanding character to secure a dramatic 3–2 victory over Leverstock Green at Manor Fields, scoring twice in the closing minutes to turn the game around and claim all three points.

Irish started positively and created the first opening on five minutes when Brooks beat his defender to the ball and laid it back to Spence on the edge of the area, but his effort was blocked. The hosts continued to threaten and on 19 minutes Shrieves broke through and looked to square for Brooks, only for the pass to be cut out. Irish recycled possession and found Ryan Smith on the edge of the box, whose long-range effort flew narrowly over the bar.

The breakthrough arrived on 29 minutes. A corner was delivered into the near-post area where Clinton Zawe rose highest to glance a header into the net and give Irish a deserved lead.

Irish nearly doubled their advantage moments later. Shrieves knocked the ball past his defender and into the area, getting a touch ahead of the onrushing keeper, who managed to get the slightest touch on the ball before bringing Shrieves down. Shortly after, Shrieves slipped Smith through on goal, but his attempted dink carried just too much and went out for a goal kick.

Leverstock threatened on the break late in the half, but Zawe showed excellent recovery defending on 38 minutes to get back goal-side and shield the ball out for a goal kick. Spence then fired just over in first-half stoppage time as Irish went into the break ahead.

Half Time: MK Irish 1–0 Leverstock Green

Irish looked to press on after the restart and Brooks saw a shot deflected behind for a corner early in the second half. However, Leverstock drew level on 55 minutes when a long ball over the top was not dealt with and was poked past Ladyman to make it 1–1.

Irish responded well and went close to restoring their lead on 64 minutes. Ryan Smith’s corner dropped dangerously under the bar and was tipped onto the crossbar by the keeper before being cleared off the line and eventually scrambled away.

Against the run of play Leverstock took the lead on 70 minutes. A close offside call saw the forward time his run well, round Ladyman and finish to put the visitors ahead.

Irish pushed hard for an equaliser. Spence fired straight at the keeper on 74 minutes before Guess caused problems late on, beating his man and seeing two efforts blocked during a goalmouth scramble that was eventually cleared. Shrieves then came agonisingly close on 87 minutes, lifting the ball over the keeper only for a defender to recover and clear off the line.

The pressure finally told on 88 minutes when Brooks was brought down inside the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Spence stepped up and converted calmly to level the scores.

Irish were not finished there. Deep into stoppage time, Leverstock committed players forward for a free kick which was cleared by Kalek. He immediately played a ball over the top for Brooks to chase, and Brooks squared across goal for Shrieves to finish from close range and complete a remarkable late turnaround.

Full Time: MK Irish 3–2 Leverstock Green

Zawe (29), Spence (88 pen), Shrieves (90+2)

Irish showed resilience and belief to recover from a difficult spell in the second half. Late goals from Spence and Shrieves ensured Irish were rewarded for their persistence with a dramatic and well-earned home victory.