MATCH REPORT : BARNOLDSWICK TOWN 2 IRLAM FC 2

An afternoon of high drama unfolded at the Silentnight stadium on Saturday as IRLAM provided a roller coaster of highs and lows before ending Barnoldswicks 3 match winning streak, courtesy of a 2-2 draw in the Hallmark Premier Division.
Two goals of the highest quality from Irlam striker Connor Martin would ensure the points were shared on an afternoon when both teams had their chances to seal the victory.
After just three minutes of play Irlam were awarded a penalty as a Barlick player blocked a shot in the area, the ball striking an arm on the way to goal for an easy decision. Matty Boland would step up to convert, but the Irlam strikers well taken kick was saved by Livesey in the home goal.
Boland would figure again soon after, a lifted ball into the feet of Pollitt would just run out of play, whilst minutes later Boland would drive forward , the ball nicked off his foot just in time by the Barlick defence.
Boland would again be amongst the action as he found Pollitt , the young Irlam forward scooping the ball over the Barlick goal as the game remained goalless.
The game was halted soon after as Karl Cassell, suffering from a chest infection, was treated for breathing difficulties before playing no further part in the game.
On the half hour mark, White would save well in the Irlam goal, pushing the ball behind from the corner, but from that corner the opening goal would come as Zac Dale picked up a low cross on the edge of the area to fire home the opener for the hosts.
Morrison would react first for Irlam, driving from midfield before curling a shot that would narrowly edge past the far post. Up front for Irlam, Martin was showing signs of becoming an ever growing threat for Barlick , but the half time whistle would end with the home sides one goal lead intact.
From the restart Martin was nearly in, the Irlam forward forcing a corner, headed over by Ledson for a good start.
Irlam hit top form in the opening phase of the second half, constantly pushing Barlick back deeper, and on the hour mark they would get their reward, a searing run down the right side from Pollitt would see the Irlam winger fire a cross into Martin, the Irlam forward juggling with the ball before firing it into the top corner, a wonderful goal that would draw the score level at 1-1.
Minutes later Boland would have a golden chance to give Irlam the lead, but the Irlam forward would be frustrated as the chance came to nothing. Morrison would strike goalwards again for Irlam, but on 70 minutes Barlick would retake the lead. Irlam would again prove to be their own worst enemy when they handed the opposition a goal out of nothing as possession was given away in their last third, a ball that was then pushed out wide for a cross into the area that at one point Irlam keeper White seemed to have, before the ball was taken away by Latham who poked home to give Barlick a 2-1 lead.
Despite the setback, the Irlam players continued to press, but with time ticking down, it would be Martin who would save the day, the Irlam forward tracking the mazy run of Irlam substitute Andre Stewart before receiving the ball off Stewart, Martin whipping the ball past the oncoming Livesey in the Barlick goal for what would easily be the goal of the afternoon.
Late chances at both ends, White saving well with his feet to keep the home side out was followed by Stewart for Irlam, stinging the Barlick keepers hands with a rasping shot, but on the final whistle the comments around the ground were in favour of a hard fought draw.

Updated 11:10 - 30 Aug 2019 by IRLAM FC