Stotfold 0-2 MK Irish

MK Irish continued their strong run of form with a 2–0 victory away at Stotfold, making it five wins in a row and extending their unbeaten run to seven matches.

Irish travelled to New Roker Park looking for a response to the heavy defeat earlier in the season and began a tight opening period in which chances were limited for both sides. Ryan Smith had the first sight of goal when he fired over from inside the right side of the box, while Mason Spence later created space for a shot inside the area but his effort was comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper.

The hosts enjoyed spells of possession in the early stages and delivered a number of balls into the Irish penalty area, though they struggled to turn those situations into clear chances. At the other end, JJ Meadows turned well inside the box but his shot was blocked by a crowd of defenders.

The game changed on 27 minutes when Owen Brooks ran onto a flicked ball and was brought down just outside the area by a defender, leaving the hosts reduced to ten men. Spence took the resulting free kick but the goalkeeper was able to gather the low effort.

Irish looked to take advantage of the extra man before the break. Ryan Smith delivered a corner that dropped to Callum Hirst on the edge of the box, though his volley drifted off target as the half ended goalless.

Half Time: Stotfold 0–0 MK Irish

Irish began to assert themselves after the restart and quickly started to create openings. Ryan Smith saw a long range effort deflect into the path of Spence, whose first time strike went wide, while Owen Brooks also fired over from distance shortly afterwards.

The breakthrough arrived just before the hour mark. A long clearance was won in the air by Ryan Smith and the ball fell to Owen Brooks inside the box. He controlled well, worked space past two defenders and calmly placed a low shot inside the far post to give Irish the lead.

Irish continued to press for a second. Stephen Brooks delivered a cross from the right that was contested in the air before falling to Hirst, whose clean strike deflected wide for a corner.

The hosts managed a rare effort from distance that took a deflection but was safely dealt with by the Irish defence, as the visitors remained in control.

Irish doubled their advantage on 74 minutes with another composed finish from Owen Brooks. The forward timed his run perfectly to beat the offside line and found himself one on one with the goalkeeper. Showing great composure, he rounded the keeper before rolling the ball into the empty net.

There was a brief pause in play following a clash of heads between Clinton Zawe and a Stotfold player, with Zawe able to continue after treatment while the home defender was forced off.

Irish managed the closing stages comfortably and ensured Ladyman was rarely troubled as they secured another clean sheet to maintain their impressive run of form.

Full Time: Stotfold 0–2 MK Irish

Goalscorers:
O Brooks (59, 74)

Irish’s fifth consecutive win continues their strong run of form and keeps them firmly moving in the right direction, with another disciplined performance and clean sheet on the road.