Irish responded swiftly. In the 8th minute, Wright played a fantastic ball down the line to Shrieves, who took it towards goal and squared it perfectly for Boyce to tap in the equalizer. Shrieves then tested the keeper with a tight-angle shot but couldn’t find the breakthrough.

Arlesey reclaimed their advantage in the 13th minute with a well-worked set-piece. A free kick from their half was played wide, then crossed to the back post. The forward managed a slight touch to send the ball onto the post and over the line before Wright could clear.

Irish continued to push for a response. Spence fired into the side netting after a cutback from Shrieves, and Shrieves himself tested the keeper with a deflected effort that almost fell to Boyce at the back post. However, the visitors couldn’t convert their dominance into goals and found themselves trailing at halftime despite controlling much of the play.

HALF-TIME: MK Irish 1-2 Arlesey Town

Arlesey had the first big chance after the break, with a cross from the right finding a forward unmarked six yards out, but the header sailed over the bar—a major let-off for Irish.

From there, the tide shifted completely. Arlesey began sitting back, trying to protect their lead, but Irish’s relentless pressure finally paid off in the 61st minute. Shrieves squared a ball across goal for Wright, whose effort hit his standing leg and was cleared off the line. Undeterred, Irish recycled possession, and Boyce delivered a pinpoint cross to substitute Meadows, who headed in the equalizer to spare Wright’s blushes.

Irish were unlucky not to score again just a minute later when Boyce’s powerful cross-shot was tipped onto the bar by the Arlesey keeper. The breakthrough came in the 66th minute as Hirst threaded a brilliant ball behind the defense for Shrieves. His first-time cross found Spence, who headed home from six yards to give Irish their first lead of the game.

The momentum continued, and just three minutes later, Boyce played Shrieves through. The forward smashed the ball past the keeper at the near post, capping an eight-minute blitz that saw Irish turn a 2-1 deficit into a 4-2 lead.

With the game firmly in their control, Irish dominated possession and added a fifth goal in the 87th minute. Spence capitalized on an Arlesey defensive error, driving into the box and forcing a clearance off the line. Meadows was perfectly placed to collect the loose ball, take a composed touch, and curl it into the top corner to seal the win.

FULL-TIME: MK Irish 5-2 Arlesey Town

Goalscorers: Boyce (8’), Meadows (61’, 87’), Spence (66’), Shrieves (69’)

Man of the Match: George Shrieves