IRLAM FC progressed to the 2nd Round of the MCFA Premier Cup in spectacular fashion on Tuesday evening, the side seemingly all but out of the tie at 2-0 down before late goals from Gary Prescott and Ryan Ledson forced a penalty shoot out, with Irlam emerging 5-4 winners after Irlam keeper Lee White saved Droylsden no7 Lee Rick’s spot kick. The result stands out as Irlam’s finest result in a competitive fixture.
The home side certainly started the brighter in the fixture, with an early chance for the bloods cleared away as Irlam looked to get their pattern of play going.
First chance for Irlam fell to Whitehead, the no8 in with a chance only for the shot to lack power as it went went straight into the arms of Droylsden keeper Hare.
At the other end Droylsdens Shaun Holden found space outside the Irlam area, fortunately lifting his shot over the Irlam bar as the scores remained level.
20 minutes into the game saw Irlam’s first opportunity to open their account, and when Irlam full back Lewis Adams found space in behind the Droylsden defence, the decision to go for power in the shot saw the ball rise over the bar, a real let off for the home side.
Droylsden no7 Lee Rick was starting to become a threat for Irlam, and a 25yrd strike looked to be going in, only for the ball to fly just wide of the goal as Irlam survived a scare.
On 30 minutes Whitehead broke in behind the Droylsden rearguard again, but by electing to cross instead of going for goal meant another chance went begging as the game swung from end to end.
Last action of a goalless first half fell to Irlam forward Gary Prescott, the no9 breaking through a high Droylsden defence, only for the assts flag to be raised for the tightest of offside’s.
The second half started in the same busy style as the first, but indications were that the home side were starting to turn the screw a little.
Droylsden no9 Kilheeny was starting to come into the game more, and a long distance strike from the striker had White beaten in the Irlam goal, only for the crossbar to come to Irlam’s rescue
Pressure was beginning to build in the game, but when the opener came, it was the home side that opened their account in the softest of ways, a cross into the Irlam box seemingly dealt with by White, only for the ball to drop from the Irlam keepers grasp allowing Droylsden substitute Ben Deegan to tap into an empty goal for a 1-0 lead.
Kilheeny was amongst the Irlam defence soon after, as the no9 headed just over the Irlam bar, whilst at the other end, Prescott was ruled offside again as Irlam looked to get back into the game.
On 75 minutes Irlam full back Barry Lomas made a goal saving challenge to deny Kilheeny again as the Droylsden no9 seemed to be on the end of most Droylsden attacks, but on 80 minutes Droylsden were to go two goals up as Centre Half Lewis Cole connected with a cross in from the left, the Droylsden no4 powering his header past White to make it 2-0.
With tem minutes left to save the game, Irlam’s response was immediate, and when Irlam winger Ben Christopher found space down the left side, a neat ball inside to Prescott, allowed the Irlam no9 to lose his man before rounding Hare in the Droylsden goal for a tap in to make it 2-1.
The game swung back the other way as the clock started to countdown, Irlam fullback Ryan Ledson throwing himself in front of a Kilheeny shot. Droylsden survived a scare of their own as an Irlam attack had the ball desperately cleared from their goalmouth, but minutes later the vital equaliser came, an inswinging Irlam corner dropping at the feet of Ledson, allowing the Irlam full back to fire home the equakiser from six yards to draw the scores level with minutes remaining.
Irlam skipper Steve Mills, who was magnificent throughout the fixture, was on hand to prevent a late Droylsden winner, again blocking a certain shot at goal as the final whistle sounded for Full Time and the commencement of penalties.
Tired legs from both sides made it impossible to predict the outcome of the game, but with the first three penalties converted, Irlam keeper Lee White guessed the right way to save Droylsdens 2nd spot kick of the shootout. With the remaining kicks converted, it was left to Irlam new boy Connor Naughton to take the decisive penalty for Irlam, which he converted in fine style to mark an incredible night for the Irlam side