A 3-1 away defeat at the weekend at the hands of league leaders Cammell Laird was a scoreline that scarcely gave IRLAM FC any credit in a game that developed into a real end to end affair over the 90 minutes.
Despite the defeat, Irlam moved up a place courtesy of goal difference when results elsewhere moved them into 15th spot in NWCFL Div One.
A decent start for the Silver St side saw midfielder Naughton through on goal almost immediately, the assistant’s flag coming to the aid of the home side for the tightest of decisions.
However, the early promise from Irlam was extinguished with just 6 minutes gone when a cross in from the right saw Laird skipper Gibiluru on hand to fire in a blocked shot from Holt to open the scoring in what looked like being an end to end afternoon of football.
Lairds no9 Cairns was next up for the home side, drawing the first of many excellent saves Irlam keeper Lee White would make during the course of the afternoon .Minutes later a second Cairns effort was again stopped as the score remained 1-0.
Irlam were having the run of the ball down the home side’s right wing, and some excellent bursting runs from Irlam no7 Jordan drew consecutive free kicks in dangerous areas as Irlam looked to get back into the contest.
At the other end, Irlam keeper White again continued his individual challenge with Laird striker Cairns, another excellent save frustrating the in form home striker.
The breakthrough for Irlam came on 23 minutes, and when the no11 Holt lost possession in the final third, Irlam no10 Gareth Mooney raced goalwards, evading three Laird defenders before firing past Langley in the home side’s goal, a superb individual effort from the Irlam forward.
Chances were coming at both ends as Potter fired wide for the home side, whilst at the other end Mooney’s attempted flick goalwards from a Prescott cutback lacked power. Irlam winger Zar Jordan was through on goal, another tight offside decision foiling Irlam as the game headed towards the break.
Last chances of the half both fell to the home side, Irlam keeper Lee White saving from no11 Holt, followed up by a decent header from Cairns that was just wide of the mark as the half time whistle blew.
With thoughts of getting something out of the fixture against the league leaders, Irlam’s second half couldn’t have got off to a worse start, and when a ball up into the Irlam area was met with little conviction, a weak headed clearance fell to Cairns, the Laird striker accepting the early Christmas present as he fired past a stranded White to make it 2-1 with just two minutes of the re start gone.
Irlam’s response was almost immediate, and with 50 minutes on the clock, Irlam striker Gary Prescott was brought down as he raced in behind the home sides defence for a certain penalty and a great chance to get back on level terms.
With Prescott unable to take the penalty after the challenge on him, Irlam no8 Naughton stepped up to the spot, but the Irlam midfielder got his chance horribly wrong, taking a long run up before blazing over the bar as the home side breathed a sigh of relief as the one goal lead remained intact.
Two long range strikes, one from Irlam’s Mooney and one from Potter for the home side did little to trouble either keeper as the game entered its final twenty minutes.
The defining moment in the game came on 76 minutes and was certainly controversial, and when Lairds full back John Couch ran through into the Irlam area, Irlam full back Kpohogmou was adjudged to have brought the player down despite both players seeming to be side by side with little contact.
An in form Potter for Lairds was the one to step up and convert the penalty for a 3-1 lead which was to give Irlam an almost impossible task to get back into the game with just ten minutes remaining.
Last chance of the game fell to the hardworking Prescott up front for Irlam, and a sight of goal led to a decent shot that was to end up squarely in the midriff of Langley in the home sides goal, the last action of the game as FT was signalled and Irlam were left disappointed at chances missed in the game.
IRLAM FC are back at Silver St this coming Saturday as the welcome AFC Darwen in NWCFL Div One. Kickoff is 3pm