Having played the reverse fixture just over two weeks ago, both sides came into this match familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses. MK Irish, were looking to continue their momentum, while Baldock Town aimed to avenge their previous defeat and climb the table.
Irish started on the front foot, creating an early chance from a corner. Spence found himself unmarked but couldn’t keep his volley down, as it ricocheted off a crowd of bodies before being cleared.
The next big opportunity fell to Ryan Smith, who was slipped in by Shrieves. His angled effort was smartly turned around the post by the Baldock keeper. From the resulting corner, Smith found himself in space again, but his header was comfortably gathered.
Despite Irish’s early pressure, it was the visitors who struck first. In the 11th minute, Baldock were awarded a penalty when their forward broke away and was clipped just inside the area by Wright, who was also booked for the challenge. The spot-kick was confidently dispatched, giving Baldock the lead.
Irish almost responded immediately. Just two minutes later, a Ryan Smith free-kick was brilliantly tipped onto the post by the Baldock keeper. The rebound fell kindly to Spence, only for the linesman’s flag to go up for offside.
The hosts continued to push forward. Shrieves dazzled down the left, driving into the box before cutting the ball back to Spence on the edge of the area, but his curling effort went just wide. Irish kept control of the game, but Baldock’s defence remained resolute.
That resistance was finally broken in the 33rd minute. Ryan Smith picked out Shrieves’ well-timed run behind the defence, and his drilled cross forced a Baldock defender into turning the ball into his own net.
Momentum had now swung firmly in Irish’s favour, and just four minutes later, they took the lead. Shrieves and Meadows combined with a slick one-two, sending Shrieves through on goal. He made no mistake, firing across the keeper to put Irish ahead.
With the visitors on the ropes, Irish struck again in the 40th minute. A quick corner routine caught Baldock off guard, allowing Shrieves to drive a low ball across the six-yard box, where Zawe was perfectly placed to tap in.
And Irish weren’t done yet. On the stroke of half-time, another corner routine saw Spence receive the ball on the corner of the box. With one touch to set himself, he struck a sweet effort into the top corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. The referee blew for the interval immediately after, capping off a breathtaking first half from Irish.
Half-time: MK Irish 4-1 Baldock Town
The second half lacked the attacking spectacle of the first, with fewer clear-cut chances.
Shrieves continued to cause problems, twisting past his marker before firing a low effort from a tight angle, but the keeper reacted well, saving with his feet.
Irish were left frustrated when they were denied what looked to be a clear penalty. Guess knocked the ball past a defender and was clipped, but despite strong appeals, the referee waved play on.
Baldock had a couple of speculative efforts from range, one flying well over the bar and another drifting wide, but they struggled to create any real threat.
Irish added a fifth goal in the 81st minute in superb style. Ryan Smith played in Osei-Addo, who produced a moment of magic—nutmegging one defender before sending the goalkeeper and another defender the wrong way with a clever ball roll. With the goal at his mercy, he coolly rolled the ball into the empty net.
Irish controlled possession in the closing stages and nearly made it six. Brito threaded a pass through to Shrieves, who attempted to dink the ball over the onrushing keeper, but the shot-stopper stood tall to deny him. The ball then fell to Osei-Addo, who took a touch and fired at the near post, only to see his shot go agonisingly wide.
The final chance of the game fell to the visitors in bizarre fashion. An attempted clearance rebounded off a Baldock player, inadvertently sending the ball towards goal. A Baldock forward, who had been slow getting back onside, latched onto it and somehow the flag stayed down, but Ladyman—despite having little to do for most of the match—was sharp off his line to make an excellent save.
The full-time whistle followed shortly after, wrapping up another dominant win for MK Irish.
Full-time: MK Irish 5-1 Baldock Town
Man of the Match: Clinton Zawe
Goalscorers: O.G. (33′), G. Shrieves (37′), C. Zawe (40′), M. Spence (45+3′), K. Osei-Addo (81′)
