Irlam grabbed their first FA Cup win in 6 years this weekend; a dramatic 2-1 away victory at Winsford sending Irlam into the next round away at Prescot Cables on Saturday 25th August.

The game started quickly and Irlam probably had the better of the opening exchanges. After just 10 minutes the deadlock was broken; Connor Martin picked out the space in behind the Winsford full-back with a brilliant pass and under pressure from Marcus Perry, confusion between the defender and goalkeeper led to Perry breaking clear and slotting into an empty net to make it 1-0 to Irlam.

Irlam almost made it 2-0 immediately, Martin again finding Foulds who couldn't make contact. Then Buckley latched onto Cassell's flick on but could only head over from 6 yards.

Irlam looked solid throughout the half, despite Winsford coming into it and having good spells of possession. Ledson and Cassell were marshalling the back-line superbly and it was unfortunate as Winsford got back into the game due to an uncharacteristic error. A low cross into the box bobbled over the Irlam defenders foot - the spare Winsford man at the back post had the simplest of tasks to finish and make it 1-1 on the stroke of half time.

The second half started and it was a battle in the middle of the park without many clear cut chances being created. The first major chance came as the referee awarded an indirect free kick 3 yards out from the Irlam goal; a controversial back-pass decision that Irlam were glad came to nothing as White charged the ball down and the defenders cleared. Winsford were pressing and the game was now a 50/50 affair; Irlam remained strong though and were staying solid, Bolton in particular looking fantastic throughout.

As the game entered the final 15 minutes, Irlam seemed to grab the game back from Winsford and began to create chance after chance in search of the winner. Marcus Perry sprung the offside trap and squared to Martin who controlled his shot only to see it come off the goalkeepers toe, spin and hit the post before going behind for a corner! Volleys from Buckley and Martin followed, again the keeper equal to both players attempts.

In the final minute of the game, Irlam forced a corner and after Boland had delivered, Jordan Buckley stooped to head back across goal and over the goalkeeper into the top corner to make it 2-1! The Irlam players were absolutely jubilant after the goal and then the final whistle soon after; a great result that boosts both the players and the club as a whole.

We return to league action next Saturday away at City of Liverpool and next Tuesday at home to Barnoldswick, before attention turns to the next round of the Emirates FA Cup at Prescot Cables on the 25th August.