News & EventsLatest NewsCalendar
Friendly: Irlam FC 1-0 Wythenshawe Town

Friendly: Irlam FC 1-0 Wythenshawe Town

IRLAM FC18 Jul 2015 - 09:46
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs

Irlam continue their preparations with a hard-fought victory.

Irlam grabbed their 2nd win in as many pre-season games on Thursday night, hosting Wythenshawe Town in a friendly match at Silver Street. The visitors had won 3 games from 3 against Irlam’s reserve side last season, contributing to a winning run of nearly 40 games over the campaign, so the task at hand was no secret.

However it would prove to be Irlam’s night on this occasion, Lee Boardman scoring the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory for the home side.

Irlam started well in the opening 5 minutes, Ben Christopher carving out a chance on the right side early on in the game. However, Wythenshawe soon settled into their rhythm and began pressing forward to test Irlam’s backline. Centre-halves Braithwaite and Kpohgomou were forced to stay strong in this period and the latter in particular, was having a superb game against Wythenshawe’s main threat in Williams.

The game became an even affair, Grimshaw and Lomas both almost in behind the Wythenshawe full-backs, yet Rand was on hand to cover on both occasions. Irlam’s clearest chance came as Rick Peters bombed forward from left-back and whipped a low ball across the front post; Campbell got in front of his marker to force a good save down low from the goalkeeper.

The 2nd half saw changes made and Irlam started strong once more. Longworth had replaced the impressive Russell and his presence was noticeable in the middle of the park, whereas Mooney and Davies had been introduced on either wing. Davies’ pace was immediately a danger, the winger in behind his marker to force a good save from Luty. Soon after, the winger would find the superb Isaac Illidge, the midfielder shooting agonisingly wide from 12 yards.

However, not long after, Irlam would open the scoring through Lee Boardman, the striker making an almost instant impact on the game. After a strong challenge from Green, he found Mooney on the wing. Mooney’s run inside and quick reverse pass saw Boardman slip in behind the defender, to instinctively fire home and give Irlam a 1-0 lead.

Wythenshawe now began to go forward in numbers once more, with Irlam looking to play on the break and extend their lead. This was nearly the case with 10 minutes remaining, as Dave Wright shot narrowly wide after great work in the build up from Liam Morrison.

Wythenshawe continued to throw bodies forward and put Irlam under pressure towards the end of the game, yet the defence held firm to secure an impressive victory for the home side over a strong Wythenshawe Town outfit, who are undoubtedly the team to beat once more in the Cheshire League this season.

Irlam now look forward to welcoming Salford City to Silver Street on Tuesday night, 7:30pm kick off.

Further reading