MATCH REPORT:: IRLAM FC 2 RADCLIFFE FC 3

A goal apiece from Sam Bolton and Connor Martin for IRLAM would still prove to be not enough as the visitors scored a third goal deep into injury time to give Radcliffe's Shelton Payne a hat trick on the night and end Irlam's participation in the Manchester Premier Cup for another season.
Radcliffe were in front only minutes into the game, a move that broke down the left, a suspicion of offside missed by the not quite fully warmed up linesman would lead to a neat ball in, a foul on a Radcliffe player in the area and an early penalty, converted well by Payne for the visitors for an early lead.
The game would soon settle after that, an even affair at most, Irlam's Connor Martin firing over the Radcliffe bar with 20 mins gone as the home side searched for a way back into the game.
Soon after, Grogan was nearly in for the visitors but the danger was averted by the Irlam defence, whilst at the other end Marcus Perry would beat two men before firing into the arms of the visiting keeper.
Half chances came and went for Radcliffe as Correia, Grogan and Crothers looked to extend the visitors lead but the single goal advantage remained intact at the half time break.
HT 0-1
The second half couldn't have started any better from IRLAM, the visitors rocked by two quick fire goal that turned the score on its head.
An early run from full back Sam Bolton was only tracked by the visitors, who were not prepared for Bolton to unleash a 25 yard drive that flew into the bottom corner of the Radcliffe goal to even up the scores. Literally from the kick off Radcliffe would lose possession, a loose ball put into the visitors penalty area by Irlam and a foul on Martin would signal the second penalty of the night, the Irlam forward picking himself up to convert well to make it 2-1 with just 50 mins played.
On the hour mark, Radcliffe's Shelton Payne was in behind the Irlam defence, keeper Dave Jones out quickly to save with his feet and keep the lead intact.
However, Irlam would struggle to keep control of Payne, and when the Radcliffe forward controlled a long ball into him, a quick cut inside gave Payne the space to finish well and draw the score level at 2-2.
The last 15 mins were an even affair as tired legs looked possibly towards a penalty shootout to decide the tie, but in added time, that man Payne would make a difference again, and when Radcliffe's Wood was bundled over in the Irlam area, Payne was on hand to score his second penalty of the night and complete his hat trick as Irlam cursed their luck, conceding the winner with literally seconds on the clock.
FT 2-3

Updated 11:00 - 30 Aug 2019 by IRLAM FC