IRLAM FC

After a disappointing result last week against Daisy Hill Irlam bounced back in winning ways beating an energetic Aston Town team. Giving debuts to Daz Andrews and Jonny Warren. The team has dramatically changed round in the last few weeks also bringing in new signings Ste Round, Karl Taylor and Callum Ward. The team looks stronger with a mixture of experience and youth, giving us strength and speed through the squad.
We started the game in quick fashion, with short neat passes in midfield from Dean Traynor and Chris Smith, turning there defence facing there own goal. Louis Price playing in a more advance role had the beating of Ashton’s right back, whipping in cross after cross but Ashton's defence stood firm. Creating lots of opportunities but the final pass wasn’t just there. Not to sure if frustration crept into our game but we started playing long balls forward to Jonny Warren isolating him at times upfront. With his willingness to win the ball he was always a danger to Ashton’s defence and never gave them a second on the ball. Ashton slowly but surely came into the game but never really threatened the goal. Then a mistake in defence left their right-winger one on one and smashed a low shot into the far corner 0-1 Ashton. Same old story lots of posession n missed chances then hit with a counter punch.
This got our tails up and we started to press higher up the field and play with alot more speed in our game. With Jonny Warren leading the line upfront he found himself in Ashton’s penalty area and was bundled over and the Ref pointed to the spot. Chris Smith picked the ball up quickly and looked confident. Placing the ball on the spot, he took the keeper the wrong way and slotted low into the keepers left hand corner 1-1
Its what we deserved and we grew more and more confident creating chance after chance, Louis Price putting in a beautiful cross. With Liam Duffy meeting with a firm header, but just headed wide, Moments after Duffy collected the ball from 50 yards out, beating two men, he shot hitting the crossbar, Ashton’s defence under pressure clearing there lines once again,
Half Time 1-1
After a good half time chat the lads went out second half and put a good show on how to play counter-attacking football. Within 10 minutes Liam Duffy was put through, with only the keeper to beat he slots home nicely 2-1
You could see the confidence in the team grow, making lots of slick passes and plenty of energy around the pitch. Ashton did threaten the once with uncharacteristic pass back from Dean Traynor hitting the post going across the goal line, which should of been an easy tap in from the Ashton forward, but with a great stop on the line from Ste Round, then a great save by the manager Neil Lewis tipping the ball over the bar. Corner was taken which ended just outside the box, with another shot a goal, a good save punching the ball to safety. With Scot Mills, Nathan Ardayfio, Ste Round and captain Jamie Bell the defence was solid and stood strong to any pressure come our way
3-1 on 60 minutes with the impressive Louis Price going clear through and chipping the keeper as he came out of goal. 4-1 on 65 minutes with Liam Duffy and Jonny Warren playing a one two just outside there box with Duffy slotting home his second. 5-1 on 72 minutes with a corner swung in the ball got cleared to edge of box and meeting the left foot of Daz Andrews, who half volleyed it into the top corner, Beautiful finish which topped of a great performance throughout.
MOM - Liam Duffy