The momentum stayed with Irish, who were relentless in attack, with Spence, Ryan Smith, and former Biggleswade player-manager Gaz Hunt all testing the Biggleswade keeper. The third goal came in the 44th minute as Spence lofted a precise chipped ball over the defense to Shrieves. Shrieves controlled well, blasted his shot off the underside of the bar, and left the keeper with no chance, making it 3-0.

Irish weren’t done yet. Two minutes later, Meadows flicked a pass to Shrieves down the left. Shrieves broke past his man, cutting it back across to find Meadows in the box, who tapped in from close range to make it 4-0. Just before the half, Kelsey came close to a fifth with a powerful effort that forced a diving save.

HALF-TIME: MK Irish 4-0 Biggleswade United

Biggleswade returned ti the second with renewed energy, knowing they had to massively improve, and created an early chance with a long ball that Ladyman blocked superbly with his foot. Irish soon regained control, with Spence picking off a loose pass from the keeper, driving into the box, and firing a tight-angle shot, though a sliding defender managed to intercept just in time.

Irish continued to apply pressure, with Kelsey pulling an effort wide after some intricate passing. The fifth goal came on 61 minutes from a quickly played corner. The ball was played short to Gaz Hunt, who struck from the edge of the area, his shot taking a slight deflection to beat the keeper—an especially sweet moment as he scored against his former side.

Undeterred, Irish pushed for more, with Shrieves cutting inside and unleashing a curling shot that required an exceptional save from the Biggleswade keeper. Biggleswade managed a few attacks and a rare defensive lapse saw them pull one back in the 81st minute, when a misjudged header by returning substitute Jack Whitehead allowed Biggleswade’s Smyth through on goal to slot past Ladyman. A sign of the cobwebs after missing the last 11 games with an injury.

Irish responded instantly, however. In the 82nd minute, Spence played a perfect outside-of-the-foot pass that set Ryan Smith through on goal, and he finished calmly to restore Irish’s five-goal lead. Meadows and Kelsey continued pressing, with the latter skimming the crossbar from range in search of another goal.

Biggleswade managed to add a second in the 94th minute, blasting the ball into the top corner after a dangerous ball was played into the box.

FULL-TIME: MK Irish 6-2 Biggleswade United

Goalscorers: M. Spence (28′), Own Goal (32′), G. Shrieves (44′), J. Meadows (45+1′), G. Hunt (61′), R. Smith (82′)

Man of the Match: Gaz Hunt