Despite the disappointing defeat midweek in the Berks & Bucks cup, MK Irish continued their impressive league run with a comfortable 3-0 win against Wormley Rovers, securing another three points with a commanding performance at home. Goals from Spence, Shrieves, and Hirst ensured Irish never looked back after an early lead, while a solid defensive showing kept the visitors at bay.
Irish started the match brightly, with early pressure leading to the first chance just minutes in. A cross from Shrieves on the left looked destined for Spence’s head, but a vital fingertip save from the Wormley keeper denied an opening goal.
The breakthrough came soon after, in the 8th minute, when Irish were awarded a penalty. Hirst played a clever one-two with Spence to enter the box and, after seeing his initial cross blocked, picked up the rebound before being taken down by a sliding defender. Spence stepped up to the spot and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way to give Irish the lead.
It didn’t take long for Irish to double their advantage. Just four minutes later, Shrieves played the ball out to Spence on the right, received the ball back, and weaved past two defenders before smashing the ball past the keeper for 2-0.
Irish could have extended their lead even further in the 14th minute. Shrieves, once again at the heart of the action, used his pace to break in behind the Wormley defence before cutting the ball back to Ryan Smith on the edge of the area. Smith’s first-time shot beat the keeper but rattled the crossbar, allowing Wormley a sigh of relief.
Wormley grew into the game after their narrow escape and nearly halved the deficit when a long free-kick was headed back across goal and tapped in from six yards, but the offside flag was raised, keeping Irish’s clean sheet intact.
Wormley started to control more possession and launched a few efforts at goal, with Ladyman called into action twice. First, he tipped over a dangerous 25-yard shot, and then he got down well to deny a low strike following a slick Wormley passing move.
The visitors’ best chance of the half came when they won the ball in midfield and created a shooting opportunity, but Ladyman’s second sharp save kept them out. The resulting corner saw Irish break quickly, with Shrieves racing one-on-one with the keeper, only for a heavy touch to let him down as the ball was easily collected.
HALF-TIME: MK Irish 2-0 Wormley Rovers
The second half didn’t start with the same intensity as the first, with both teams settling into a slower pace. It wasn’t until the 60th minute that Irish produced a clear chance, with Hirst firing a shot from 20 yards straight into the keeper’s hands.
Spence also tried his luck from range, hitting a powerful shot from 25 yards that the Wormley goalkeeper fumbled, but he quickly recovered to prevent Hirst from tapping in the rebound.
Irish wrapped up the win with their third goal in the 67th minute. A swift passing move saw Spence drive down the right and square the ball across goal for an unmarked Hirst, who was left with an easy tap-in at the back post. The goal sealed the result, with Irish comfortably managing the rest of the game.
Wormley, unable to threaten again, saw out the final minutes without testing the Irish defence further, as the home side cruised to full-time.
FULL-TIME: MK Irish 3-0 Wormley Rovers
Goalscorers: M. Spence (8′), G. Shrieves (12′), C. Hirst (67′)
Man of the Match: N. Beecher
A smart and controlled performance from MK Irish, with a solid defensive effort and clinical finishing in front of goal. Goals from Spence, Shrieves, and Hirst ensured an early lead was never in doubt as Irish wrapped up a much needed 3-0 victory over Wormley Rovers following the disappointing midweek defeat in the Berks & Bucks cup.
💭☘️ | POST MATCH THOUGHTS
— Milton Keynes Irish FC (@MKIrishFC) October 12, 2024
Terry Shrieves gives his thoughts on today’s win and also Tuesday nights defeat.#NonLeague #UpTheIrish #SSML pic.twitter.com/pT1oZjNT4W
