Match Report | Irlam (H)

Callum Luck on defensive duties for Town

Town would crash out of the Isuzu FA Vase First Round against tough opposition despite the best run in 11 years.

Irlam, who play in the North West Counties Premier Division recorded a 4-1 win over Town who battled hard against the superior opposition on the day.

First Half

Irlam started the game brightly and had the majority of the ball in attacking areas where both sides were looking to gain the upper hand.

The first half continued to flow back and forth between the two sides with no real chances or quality of note to speak about.

That was until Town broke the deadlock with 22 minutes played.

Town were awarded a FK deep in Irlam territory and it was played short to Dale Hopson, who drove forward and played new signing, Mason Hardy.

Hardy then laid the ball off to Spenceley who in turn released Chidanyika down the right who saw his cross spilled by the Irlam 'keeper and Mason Hardy was on hand to fire home the opener on his debut with a tidy finish.

Mason Hardy fires home on his debut

However, Irlam were still the stronger side and the Town goal came somewhat against the run of play.

Eventually, the inevitable equaliser came, Irlam worked the ball down the Town left and Dre Taylor's cross was helped along by Millen Brown into the path of John Main who would control the ball before firing past Fairless.

Irlam wouldn't stop there and took the lead with 37 minutes played, A long ball was played over towards Declan Daniels who had too much time to take the ball down and managed to get a shot off which put the visitors ahead.

HT - Northallerton 1 - 2 Irlam

Second Half

Town came out with renewed energy in the second half following a formation change and subs Jackson and Banks replacing Graham and Scott.

Dale Hopson had a glorious chance to level the game as he broke away from midfield and the opportunity to shoot opened up but the skipper didn't quite get the desired connection and the effort went narrowly wide.

Dale Hopson fired just wide with the score at 2-1

Unfortunately, the fightback was duly quelled with a quickfire double from the visitors in the 68th and 70th minutes respectively.

Declan Daniels would grab his second of the afternoon as John Main crossed in for the striker to nod past Fairless, before substitutes Jack Mitchell and Charlie Roberts combined, with the latter adding the killer blow to put the game out of sight.

Town did continue to look to get another goal on the scoresheet but clear-cut chances were at a premium. The closest Town would get would be via a Dale Hopson FK but it was held well by Lee White - making amends for his earlier handling error.

We beat Storm Babet but couldn't overcome Irlam in the end.

FT - Northallerton 1 - 4 Irlam

Northallerton

Fairless, Flounders, Cocks, Moan (Jones 74'), Luck, Graham (Jackson 45'), Chidanyika, Scott (Banks 45'), Hardy, Hopson, Spenceley

Subs not used: Connor, Thomson

Goals: Hardy (22')

Irlam

White, Rothwell, Seymour, Francis, Holt, Langford, Brown (Mitchell 66'), Taylor, Daniels, Walker (Roberts 59'), Main (Henry 80')

Subs not used: Cartwright, Nelson, Hall

Goals: Main (32'), Daniels (37', 68'), Roberts (70')