MK Irish looked to bounce back in style from their FA Cup heartbreak against Canvey Island last weekend, hosting Harpenden Town in their latest league encounter. A dominant performance saw Irish take control and secure a commanding 8-0 victory.
Harpenden started the brighter of the two sides, with the visitors finding a way through Irish’s defence early on. A clever pass between the lines put their forward through on goal, but Ladyman reacted superbly to deny them an early lead. Moments later, the referee caused controversy by booking Hirst for simulation after the Irish midfielder appeared to be kicked in the box when breaking through.
Despite some early pressure, Irish gradually took control. Harpenden’s long-range cross clipped the top of the bar, which served as a wake-up call for the hosts. Irish responded with some beautiful one-touch passing between Shrieves, Hirst, and Spence, allowing Shrieves to round the keeper and calmly slot home for 1-0.
Just minutes later, Spence doubled the lead, firing a shot from range that was fumbled by the Harpenden keeper into the back of the net. Irish nearly added a third almost immediately, but Spence’s effort was heroically blocked on the line by a Harpenden defender.
At the other end, Brooks produced a crucial block of his own, denying a sure goal from just 4 yards out. The momentum was fully with Irish, though, and Shrieves made it 3-0 with a fine solo effort, curling the ball into the bottom corner after leaving his defender for dead.
Harpenden’s afternoon went from bad to worse when Meadows was played through on goal, only for the Harpenden keeper to handle the ball outside the area. The keeper was shown a straight red card, and without a substitute keeper, an outfield player took over in goal. He performed admirably, saving the resulting free kick, but was unable to prevent Spence from heading home the fourth goal from the subsequent corner.
Shrieves nearly grabbed his hat-trick but was denied by the stand-in keeper, and Meadows also saw a chance blocked after being played through. However, just before half-time, Meadows did get his goal, tapping in the rebound after a fluid passing move saw Shrieves’ shot saved, bringing the score to 5-0 at the break.
HALF-TIME: MK Irish 5-0 Harpenden Town
Irish continued their dominance after the restart, with Ryan Smith going close from distance and Shrieves curling another effort just wide. The pressure soon paid off, as Shrieves turned provider, cutting the ball across for Hunt to tap in a sixth goal of the afternoon.
Two minutes later, Meadows added his second and Irish’s seventh, lifting the ball over the keeper after a delightful through ball from Hunt. The scoring was completed when Coleman slotted home off the post following a clever pass from Shepherd to wrap up an emphatic 8-0 victory.
Harpenden came close to a consolation goal when their fullback burst down the left and fired at the near post, but Ladyman once again denied them with a superb reaction save. Irish had chances to add a ninth, but the referee mercifully blew the final whistle to end Harpenden’s misery.
FULL-TIME: MK Irish 8-0 Harpenden Town
Goalscorers: George Shrieves x2, Mason Spence x2, JJ Meadows x2, Gaz Hunt, Ollie Coleman
Man of the Match: George Shrieves
Despite a sluggish start, MK Irish roared to life and showed Harpenden no mercy as they ran riot coming away with an 8-0 victory. Goals from Shrieves, Spence, Meadows, Hunt, and Coleman sealed a commanding win as Irish returned to winning ways in style.
Irish are at home again on Tuesday as they welcome former Spartan South Midlands side Risborough Rangers in the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup.
