MK Irish made the long Wednesday night journey to Rowley Lane to face London Lions, knowing that a victory would officially secure at least a playoff spot. With the hosts also chasing a top-five finish, a competitive contest was always on the cards.
Irish started brightly and almost found an early breakthrough when a corner dropped to Spence, but his volley from a tight angle flashed just wide of the post.
London Lions, however, soon began to impose themselves on the game. A dangerous cross from the left was met by a powerful header, only for the ball to rebound off the post and land gratefully in Ladyman’s arms. The hosts then squandered an even better chance moments later—another delivery from the left was cut back across the six-yard box, finding an unmarked forward, but to Irish’s relief, he somehow blazed his effort over the bar from close range.
After riding their luck in the opening exchanges, Irish started to find their rhythm. A neat exchange between Kelsey and Spence down the left led to a shot from distance that took a slight deflection, sending it just past the post. The game began to open up, with both teams creating half-chances but struggling to produce a decisive moment of quality.
Shrieves came close just before the break, cutting inside from the left and curling an effort towards goal, but it bent narrowly wide of the far post.
Half-time: London Lions 0-0 MK Irish
The deadlock was broken just two minutes into the second half, but unfortunately for Irish, it was the hosts who struck first. A loose ball in midfield was picked up by a London Lions forward, who drove towards goal before unleashing a dipping 25-yard strike that flew beyond Ladyman’s reach and into the back of the net.
Irish responded well and soon had a chance to equalise. Some tidy play down the left saw a cross find Meadows in the area. He controlled it well and laid it off to Ryan Smith, whose driven shot was deflected out for a corner.
From that resulting set-piece, Irish got their reward. Shrieves delivered an inviting cross, and Meadows rose superbly to direct a header over the goalkeeper, levelling the match in the 56th minute.
With the momentum shifting in their favour, Irish were handed another boost when London Lions were reduced to ten men. Shrieves pressed high to dispossess one defender and nudged the ball past another, only to be body-checked as he attempted to break free. The decision might have been slightly harsh as there wasn’t anywhere for the defender to go but as the last man the referee had no hesitation in brandishing a straight red, leaving the hosts a man down for the final half-hour.
Understandably, London Lions began to sit deeper, aiming to frustrate Irish and protect their point. However, with 15 minutes remaining, Meadows made sure all three would be heading back to Milton Keynes. Harry Guess whipped in a teasing cross from deep on the left, and Meadows once again demonstrated his aerial dominance, rising highest to thunder a header past the helpless goalkeeper.
Irish pushed for a third to kill the game off, with Kelsey coming closest after Hunt found him on the edge of the box. His strike seemed to take a slight deflection as it whistled just over the bar, though the referee awarded a goal kick instead.
Shortly after, the final whistle blew, confirming another vital victory for MK Irish and securing their place in the playoffs.
Full-time: London Lions 1-2 MK Irish
Goalscorers: J. Meadows (56′, 75′)
