MK Irish 3-4 Aylesbury United

Match Report by Ben Slater

The Ducks survive an Irish jig to claim a valuable three points in Milton Keynes.

Aylesbury travelled to MK Irish on Tuesday night off the back of a winless run spanning five games in the league. MK Irish had started the season well, picking up 18 points from their opening 12 games and sitting just outside the playoff places. The Irish, as they are known, were formed in 2020 off the back of a merger between three clubs; Milton Keynes Robins, Unite MK and Milton Keynes Irish Vets. Following their inaugural season in the Spartan South Midlands League Midlands League Division One, they were promoted to the Premier Division at the second time of asking. They won promotion to step 4 in the 2024/25 season and have remained at the level since.

Aylesbury came out of the traps looking like a team with a point to prove. Wil Turner down the left-hand side was causing the MK Irish defenders all kinds of problems. He, in turn, created United's first chance of the game inside three minutes, setting up Bakary Daffeh in the middle, but his shot deflected behind for a corner. Aylesbury continued to work the ball well and were rewarded for their attacking impetus in the 13th minute. Turner once again down the left did well to beat his man, and he set up Sonny French, who came running in at pace to fire home into the bottom corner. A well-worked goal and one that the Ducks deserved for their opening quarter of an hour showing. 1-0 Aylesbury.

After the goal MK Irish seemed to settle. And exactly 10 minutes after Aylesbury opened the scoring, they levelled. A well-worked move down the left saw George Shrieves drill the ball into the front post area, where number nine James Meadows was lurking to knock the ball past Jack Hopwood in the Ducks’ net. 1-1.

Unlike past games, Aylesbury didn't crumble, and in fact, they soon after threatened to restore their advantage. In the space of five minutes, United could and probably should have been 3-1 up. Finlay Reeves worked the ball well down the left before picking out Daffeh at the far post, but his effort was blocked superbly by the MK Irish defender. Aylesbury didn't let up and three minutes later had arguably the best chance of the match. Reeves' strike from the edge of the box was only parried by the MK Irish goalkeeper Tom Ladyman into the path of Sonny French, whose shot went wide. A chance that looked easier to score than miss.

After that five minutes of madness, MK Irish had a few chances of their own. Targetman Meadows came close with a header on the 32nd minute mark before Simon Orphadine's header was cleared off the line to keep the scores level. The Ducks rode the storm, though, and just before halftime regained the advantage. Inside stoppage time, Daffeh slipped a lovely through ball into Wil Turner's path, and he finished coolly to send the Ducks into the break with the lead. HT 2-1 Aylesbury.

What happened after the break not many people could have expected. The second half began frantically, and just three minutes after the restart Aylesbury made it 3-1. Rocko slipped Reeves through, and with all the time in the world, he slotted the ball under the goalkeeper to give United the cushion they deserved. 3-1 Aylesbury. Before anyone had the chance to get their breath back, Aylesbury made it 4-1. Sonny French once again at the spine of Aylesbury's good play, as he slipped in Rocko Tamplin, who finished excellently, to surely put the Ducks out of sight? The first time the Ducks had scored 4 in a league game this season. 4-1 Aylesbury.

Anyone hoping the rest of the half would go smoothly were quickly reminded this was Aylesbury United after all. MK Irish went down the other end almost immediately from kickoff and scored through Ryan Smith to set up a nervy rest of the half for the Ducks. 4-2 Aylesbury. After that point the hosts smelt blood and applied sustained pressure. Aylesbury began to sit deeper and deeper as the Irish pushed more bodies forward. And they were punished in the 61st minute as Callum Hirst reduced the deficit to just one goal. Nathan Amanings’ effort was well saved by Hopwood, but Callum Hirst was there to follow in from the rebound. 4-3 Aylesbury.

Aylesbury, to their credit, took the sting out of the game for the next 15 or so minutes, limiting the hosts to half chances. The game did spark to life again with 12 minutes of time remaining to be played, as the Irish were reduced to 10 men. As Finlay Reeves threatened to go through one-on-one, Nat Beecher brought him down. With the Irish player already on a yellow card, it was a no brainer for the referee. A minute later, Aylesbury made their only change of the game as Sam Bahaja replaced Rocko Tamplin to make his debut for the club.

The red card for MK Irish seemed to spur the Ducks’ attackers on as they looked to secure the fifth and all but settle matters. In the 83rd minute, Wil Turner tested the goalkeeper before Ladyman in the Irish’ net produced a top-notch save to tip Reeves’ effort over the bar.

As the game went into stoppage time, the nervous look on the United's fans' faces said it all. Five minutes of added time to hold on. The Irish only had one chance of note in that time, and it came right at the end. A scramble in and around the box led to Callum Hirst striking the ball narrowly wide. Almost a spectacular equaliser for the hosts, but the Ducks held firm. FT 4-3 Aylesbury.

The final whistle brought relief to the fans inside the ground. From 4-1 up, it was never going to be comfortable for the Ducks. Credit to the team who held firm at the end to ensure a valuable three points. A spirited team effort from everyone involved. Next up for the Ducks we face leverstock green tomorrow at the Meadow. If you can, please come down to Chesham to support the boys as we look to make it back-to-back league wins for the first time this season. It is also Mayor’s Champions Day at the Meadow, which, as always, is sure to be a great day. If possible, we ask all of our supporters to bring a food donation for the Youth Concern. Up the Ducks!

Attendance: 153

Aylesbury United: Hopwood, Bewley (C), Quinlan, Matthew, Turner, Bircham, Reeves, Daffeh, Brown, French, Tamplin

Subs: Emmanuel, Karimi, Georgiou, Fareed, Bajaha

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