Thame United 1-2 MK Irish

MK Irish produced a strong and determined away performance in testing conditions to earn a 2–1 win at Thame United. Persistent rain and swirling wind made the match difficult to control, but Irish adapted well, created the clearer opportunities and showed composure in key moments.

Irish grew into the game as the first half progressed and almost took the lead on 20 minutes. A corner caused real problems in the Thame box, leading to a goalmouth scramble where the ball seemed certain to be forced in, only for the hosts to somehow clear it off the line. It was the first real sign of Irish putting sustained pressure on the Thame defence.

The hosts then had a controversial moment on 28 minutes when their forward went down in the area under minimal contact. Thame appealed strongly for a penalty, but the referee disagreed and instead booked the attacker for simulation. From the Irish point of view it looked the correct call, with the forward going down too easily.

Shrieves threatened soon after, whipping a free kick across the face of goal on 35 minutes. The delivery took a touch off a defender on its way through and flew just wide, earning Irish another corner. In worsening conditions both sides struggled to put together meaningful spells of possession, and the half closed with neither team able to find the breakthrough.

Half Time: Thame United 0–0 MK Irish

Irish began the second half with purpose and immediately put the hosts under pressure. Shrieves came close twice in quick succession, first firing just over the bar from inside the area on 48 minutes before sending another effort wide on 52 minutes after good link-up play around the edge of the box.

The reward for Irish’s bright start arrived on 56 minutes. Spence worked the ball cleverly into Shrieves, who took it past a defender inside the area before smashing a powerful strike beyond the keeper to give Irish a deserved lead.

Thame struggled to create anything of note until they levelled the match on 75 minutes, and it came against the run of play. A corner into the six-yard box looked to have been taken by Ladyman, but the ball slipped loose in the wet conditions and dropped straight to a Thame player three yards out, who could not miss from close range.

Irish responded superbly and almost restored their advantage inside a minute. Shrieves and Brooks combined well on the left and Brooks drove a low shot towards the corner, but the keeper spread himself brilliantly and kept it out with his foot.

Irish continued to press and were back in front on 82 minutes. A corner delivery dropped into a crowded area and N Smith saw his shot blocked, but Haworth, who had gone to ground while challenging moments earlier, managed to stretch out a leg and get the slightest touch to divert the ball past the keeper and into the net.

Spence then saw a strike from the edge deflected wide as Irish pushed for a third, before Brooks had a chance to seal the victory late on. He raced through on goal in added time and got a clean shot away, but once again the Thame keeper produced a strong save.

Irish saw out the closing stages professionally, keeping possession in safe areas and managing the game well to secure a deserved three points.

Full Time: Thame United 1–2 MK Irish

Shrieves (56), Haworth (82)

Irish showed good character after Thame’s equaliser and handled the difficult conditions with composure. The finishing quality from Shrieves and the decisive touch from Haworth ensured Irish continued their positive form.