MK Irish continued their strong start to the season with another 3-0 victory at home against Shefford Town & Campton. Building on their opening day success against FC Romania and making it back to back 3-0 wins to kick off the campaign.
The match began with both sides struggling to find their rhythm, leading to a fairly quiet opening period.
In the 22nd minute, Ryan Smith had the first half-chance of the game. Picking up the ball on the edge of the area, he fired a shot towards the near post, but it went just wide. Irish’s attacking momentum continued to build, and they soon created the first big chance in the 27th minute. Ryan Smith played a delightful through ball to Shrieves, who was one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Despite striking the ball well, the Shefford keeper made an excellent save, conceding a corner.
From the resulting corner in the 28th minute, MK Irish took the lead. Shrieves delivered a precise ball to the back post, where Ryan Smith rose high to meet it. His header back across goal nestled into the net, putting MK Irish ahead 1-0.
The home side continued to press, with Ryan Smith laying the ball off to Shrieves on the edge of the area in the 36th minute. Shrieves struck it first time, but his shot went narrowly wide.
As the first half drew to a close, MK Irish had a big let-off in stoppage time. Ladyman’s clearance hit Whitehead on the back and fell to a Shefford forward, but fortunately, his effort was put wide.
HALF TIME: MK Irish 1-0 Shefford Town & Campton
The second half started with a bang as MK Irish doubled their lead in the 46th minute. Kelsey, stepping out from the back, played a superb ball down the left for Spence. Spotting Hunt unmarked on the edge of the area, Spence cut it back to him and Hunt struck it on the half-volley and into the back of the net, marking his debut with a goal just as Shepherd did in Saturday’s victory.
With their tails up, MK Irish quickly added a third goal in the 52nd minute. The Smith brothers pressed high and won the ball back in a dangerous area. Ryan Smith spotted Shrieves making a run in behind and slipped the ball through. Shrieves showed great composure to calmly slot it past the keeper, making it 3-0.
As the game wore on, MK Irish introduced another debutant, Igwilo, in the 85th minute, giving the team fresh legs off the left and a new dimension in attack.
In the dying moments of the match, MK Irish nearly added a fourth. In the 90th minute, Groom won the ball back on the edge of the Shefford box and attempted to dink the keeper. His effort clipped the top of the bar and was cleared away. Three minutes later, Shepherd attempted to catch the keeper off guard with a clever free-kick from out wide, aiming for the near post. The keeper saved it, and the rebound almost fell to Spence, but somehow the Shefford keeper managed to claw it away.
The full time whistle was blown shortly after and wrapped up what was an impressive second half performance from the Irish.
FULL TIME: MK Irish 3-0 Shefford Town & Campton
Goalscorers: Ryan Smith, Gaz Hunt, George Shrieves
Man of the Match: Nat Beecher
Irish are at home again this Saturday as we kick off a new FA Cup campaign against Southern League Division One side Welwyn Garden City. Kick off is at 3pm and we hope to see you come down and support the side in what will be a tricky test against a side the division above.
