Icely and Mills steal the show
Although the win doesn’t move the side off their lowly 15th spot in NWCFL Div One, it certainly provided the players, and manager Steve Nixon with a much needed boost ahead of their Bank Holiday Monday home fixture against Bootle based side Litherland Remyca FC.
The game at times was a scrappy affair, although Irlam would certainly claim the lion’s share of possession throughout the 90 minutes, with an excellent defensive display that reduced the home side to just a handful of half chances during the afternoon.
Irlam’s first chance of the game fell to Icely, a curling free kick from Dave Wright found Ryan Ledson, the Irlam centre half heading into the path of Icely for what looked like a regulation goal from the returning striker, only for keeper Astley to rush off his line to keep the home side in the game.
A heavy collision between Daisy Hill skipper Naylor and Irlam’s Illidge left the former in need of attention, whilst Illidge may have also felt the impact, going off later in the game with a leg injury.
A 15 minute spell of possession from Irlam led to some shooting practice for the players as they pinned the home side back deep in their own half. Two chances fell to no7 Gareth Mooney, a shot over the bar was soon followed by a low drive at goal that was deflected away at the last second. Irlam forward Jake Connolly attempted to curl a shot into the far post, a decent attempt saved the Astley, the no9 following up with some neat footwork culminating with a cut back to Icely who’s shot was crowded out at the last second.
As the half drew to a close, a couple of long range efforts from both sides would prove spectacular for the crowd but ultimately of no consequence to a 0-0 scoreline as both teams tried to break the deadlock.
A ball out to Irlam midfielder Dave Wright was struck with real pace from 30 yards, the ball rising over the Daisy Hill goal, whilst at the other end Daisy Hill full back Farrell struck from distance, only for the shot to bend away and behind the Irlam goal.
Last chance of the half fell to Icely, a quick sight of goal saw the Irlam no10 curl his shot to the far post, Astley again to the rescue as the first half drew to a close with no goals to report.
The second half got underway, and within five minutes Irlam’s Illidge was forced off due to injury, Christian Lawlor his replacement.
Irlam midfielder Wright certainly looked to be more influential in the game as the second half continued, a volley through a crowded home goal area could have produced much more, with a curling free kick to follow that forced a decent save from the home keeper. A third attempt at goal from Wight, this time a low drive, was again stopped, although the flurry of activity produced no goals, it certainly put doubts in the home sides mind as they dropped deeper into their own half.
On 65 minutes, Connolly’s shift was over, and Steve Mills, marking his return from long term injury came on and immediately made an impact, winning his first header in the Daisy Hill box, only to see the attempt go just wide of goal.
Fatigue was showing now as the game entered its last fifteen minutes, and a succession of corners from Irlam were somehow cleared away by a committed Daisy Hill side, but when the breakthrough came it was borne out of the real pressure the Silver St side had exerted as the game ran down.
A ball over the top from Irlam looked to have been dealt with by Daisy Hill skipper Naylor as he headed the ball back to his keeper, but confusion reigned as the header back looked to be going out for an Irlam corner, only for keeper Astley to scoop the ball back in play and into the path of Icely, the Irlam no10 making no mistake as he evaded a covering defender before firing low into the goal to open the scoring.
Five minute later, the lead was doubled, an inswinging corner from Christopher caused chaos in the Daisy Hill defence before falling to Steve Mills who rifled his shot past Astley to put the game beyond doubt with five minute left on the clock.
Last change of the game again fell to Mills, this time a low drive that came close but ultimately drifted wide of goal as the final whistle sounded, a much needed three points for Steve Nixon’s side as they prepare for Bank Holiday Monday.
