After the disappointment of a 3-1 defeat the previous week at St Helens Town, Irlam FC were eager to put things right and get back to winning ways on Saturday at Silver Street. An early goal from Jordan Icely would go some way to doing just that, Irlam’s young forward scoring the first in an eventual 4-1 win for the home side.

The game was no more than 2 minutes old when Irlam broke the deadlock, quick play down the right looked to have come to nothing as the ball fell loose in the box. However, midfielder Tom Russell reacted quickest to win the ball back, before keeping his composure to pick out Icely; Icely taking a touch before firing low past Walsh in the Widnes goal to make it 1-0 to Irlam.

Irlam were playing some lovely football in the opening 20 minutes, Longworth dictating the game from midfield as the returning Adam Campbell was proving a handful up front. However, it must be noted that Widnes gathered themselves and posed a threat through their strong forward players, Widnes’ no.9 and 10 ensuring Cassell and Kpohgomou were kept on their toes; the centre halves once again showing their undoubted quality on the day. The returning Barry Lomas also putting in a typically assured performance at full-back to compliment Irlam’s backline.

On the half hour mark Irlam would extend their lead and it would be Icely again to get his name on the scoresheet, albeit in somewhat unfamiliar fashion. After winning a corner in the left channel, Icely himself whipped a dangerous corner into the box; That dangerous in fact, that it evaded everyone to swerve and crash off the far post and into the net, 2-0 to Irlam and Icely had his just rewards for a brilliant delivery.

A low drive from Widnes’ Davies was well held by Irlam goalkeeper Lee White, before Irlam remained solid to clear a succession of corners as the half drew to a close with Irlam leading 2-0.

The home side began the second half brightly, Icely released through the middle on a couple of occasions only for the chances to be crowded out. Irlam’s next big chance coming courtesy of Isaac Illidge, the midfielder unable to direct his shot goal-bound after latching onto a loose ball 15 yards out.

However, on the hour mark it would be Illidge again in on goal and this time he would make no mistake. After taking a pass from Campbell on the edge of the area, Illidge showed tidy footwork to round the goalkeeper before smashing high into the Widnes goal to make it 3-0 and give Irlam some breathing space.

On a humid day in Irlam, both sides were now showing the strain as the tempo dropped in the game’s final 15 minutes. However, it would be Irlam who would counter-attack quickly to increase the gap between the sides to four goals. Clever play down the left involving Icely, Campbell and Rick Peters eventually saw the ball crossed low across the area, a deft touch from Campbell saw him feed Gareth Mooney, Irlam’s winger slotting home with conviction to make it 4-0 to Irlam.

A reshuffle in the Irlam side had saw Kyle Davies introduced for his first appearance of the season, along with Jordan Southworth and Lee Grimshaw who looked to add energy to the Irlam side as the game went on.

Widnes would get themselves on the scoresheet with 10 minutes remaining, Carney shooting low through a crowd of players, White only able to get his fingertips to the ball as it found the bottom corner to make it 4-1.

The final minutes were seen out without any major incident, as Irlam recorded a good 4-1 victory, keeping them joint top-of-the-table before next week’s trip to Squires Gate in the FA Vase; The Blackpool-based side currently ply their trade in the Premier Division of the North West Counties and will provide a stern test for Irlam next weekend.

Irlam FC: White, Lomas, Peters, Longworth (Davies), Cassell, Kpohgomou, Mooney, Russell, Campbell (Southworth), Illidge, Icely (Grimshaw).

Subs not used: Holt, Burgess (injured in warm-up)