MK Irish faced a heartbreaking exit from the FA Vase, losing 6-5 on penalties to Newport Pagnell after a hard-fought 0-0 draw. Irish dominated much of the game and created numerous chances, but an outstanding display from Newport’s goalkeeper kept them at bay.
Irish began the game brightly, with R. Smith linking up well with Meadows early on. Meadows took a quick shot, but Newport’s keeper was equal to it, getting down low to make a solid save. Newport responded with some scrappy play on the edge of the area, eventually leading to a headed attempt that drifted wide.
Irish created another opening as Shrieves slipped the ball to R. Smith at the edge of the box, only for Smith to lose his footing at the critical moment, sending the ball gently into the keeper’s hands. Newport then threatened with a ball over the top, but their forward’s effort flashed just wide.
Shepherd found Shrieves in a promising position, and his powerful strike was bravely blocked by a Newport defender, deflecting it out for a corner. The first half concluded scoreless, with both teams struggling to break the deadlock.
HALF-TIME: Newport Pagnell 0-0 MK Irish
Irish returned from the break with determination and quickly set up in Newport’s half, winning an early free kick just outside the box. Shepherd stepped up confidently but sent his attempt just over. Minutes later, Meadows cut back to Shrieves, who linked up with R. Smith. Smith’s one-touch strike was on target but narrowly dragged wide of the post.
Irish’s attacking momentum began to build, and on 55 minutes, Newport’s Bruce Tsinonis received a second yellow for a late tackle on Coleman, reducing Newport to ten men. Following the dismissal, Irish sensed an opportunity to seize control. A floated free kick found Coleman, who rose above the defense and forced a fingertip save from the Newport keeper, tipping the header onto the bar. Shrieves pounced on the rebound, striking with precision, only for Newport’s defense to scramble the ball off the line in a last-ditch clearance.
Irish poured forward, determined to find the opener. Meadows broke free after a flick-on from Shepherd, setting himself up one-on-one with the keeper, who once again made an impressive save. Shortly after, a promising Irish attack saw Meadows appear to be shoved in the box, but the referee denied Irish’s penalty appeal.
The chances kept coming. Sub Osei-Addo found himself in behind the defense, his fierce shot skimming just over the crossbar. Brito’s dangerous cross moments later looked destined to fall for Osei-Addo at the back post, but a crucial intervention from a Newport defender knocked it out for a corner.
Irish continued to pile on the pressure, pinning Newport back in their own box. Ryan Smith’s header off the corner seemed certain to break the deadlock, but it was cleared off the line in a chaotic scramble that saw Brooks fire the follow-up narrowly over. Moments later, Shrieves fed Brooks again, but his well-placed shot was gathered by Newport’s keeper.
Into stoppage time, Irish’s last gasp came from a perfectly placed free kick to the back post. Wright rose to meet it, but the ball just evaded his head, signaling the end of regular time and setting up a penalty shootout.
Irish and Newport converted their first five penalties without error, but on the twelfth kick, Stephen Brooks saw his attempt saved, sealing a narrow 6-5 victory for Newport and a gut-wrenching FA Vase exit for Irish.
FULL-TIME: Newport Pagnell 0-0 MK Irish
Newport Win 6-5 on Penalties
MK Irish’s FA Vase journey came to an agonizing end as they bowed out on penalties following a goalless draw at Newport Pagnell. Irish dominated the second half, pressing for a breakthrough against a Newport side reduced to ten men. Despite creating a series of clear-cut chances, Irish couldn’t find a way past the inspired Newport goalkeeper. The penalty shootout saw both teams hold their nerve until the final kick, where Newport ultimately edged ahead, leaving Irish to reflect on a strong performance that fell just short of victory.
