Match Report: Irlam 3-3 Longridge

Longridge snatched a point in Manchester in a lively affair.

Ashcroft brought Scotty Harries back into the side as Van Wyk made his first start since returning from injury.

It was a scrappy start to game but the hosts took a swift lead on 9 minutes as Main did well to run onto a long ball and volley over Kitchen.

The Blues then looked another one soon after as Francis switched it to Mugalula who fired over from 20 yards.

Harries won a free kick on 17 minutes.

Homson-Smith delivered his first of many free kicks onto the head of Gallagher-Allison whose header was claimed by the Irlam goalkeeper.

Yoak then made a mazy run into the box before being bundled over, the referee soon waved away the Longridge appeals.

Mugalula then received the first booking of the game for a foul on Moses Yoak on the half hour mark.

Homson-Smith's resulting free kick was headed out to Luke Smith who volleyed over.

Irlam then came straight up from the goal kick.

It landed at the feet of Millen Brown who beat his man and doubled the host's lead.

Town looked to get back in the game soon after as McLean pinged it towards Anderton who looked to lob the goalkeeper but it landed wide.

Van Wyk then charged down Irlam's Mitchell, won the ball back, danced past two defenders before seeing his shot claimed by the 'keeper.

Just before half time, Town grabbed a deserved goal.

A cross was headed out to Homson-Smith whose half volley picked out the top corner.

Now, as the second half kicked off the Ridge had a chance.

Mitch Marshall took that chance as he poked a Luke Smith cross through the legs of Hall to pull Longridge level.

Unfortunately for Town, Irlam responded almost instantly as Mason Everton pulled the hosts back in front.

Town then made their first change as Malick Tanou replaced Luke Smith.

McLean launched it forward on the hour mark as Van Wyk nodded it down to Harries.

Scotty then played it back to Van Wyk who rifled it over from 20 yards

Josh Winder then took to the field in place of Jack Anderton with 25 minutes left.

The game then took a massive up turn for Town as Obua Mugalula was shown a second yellow card for another foul on Yoak.

Unfortunately, Yoak then had to depart after coming off worse in the collision.

He was replaced by Leighton Hewitt.

Homson-Smith then curled another corner into the box, which was won by Hewitt.

It defected into Marshall who poked it over the line to make it 9 for the season.

Town then looked certain to make it four moments later as McLean latched brilliantly onto a long ball before squaring it to Winder.

Unfortunately, the ball sat up as it bobbled along the six yard box, meaning Winder's effort flew over from close range.

Town then threw the kitchen sink at Irlam, Gallagher-Allison saw a shot turned behind before Harries' corner was cleared.

Was entered the 90, five minutes were added on.

Leighton Hewitt looked to have nodded the ball over the line before it was hacked clear by Mitchell.

Town appeals fell on deaf ears.

Van Wyk surged forward with seconds left.

The forward sat down two Irlam defenders before seeing his fierce shot blocked.

The full time whistle then blew, confirming the point as piece.

Town may have felt hard done by not to have come away with all three points but there were definitely positives to take.

We now return home for our final home match of the season against Squires Gate.

Be sure to back the boys on 'derby day' one last time this season.

The Goals:

Irlam: Main (9'), Brown (34'), Everton (52')

Longridge: Homson-Smith (45'), Marshall (50', 81')

The Teams:

Irlam: Hall, Mitchell, Francis, Brown, Holt, Taylor (Eures 77'), Cartwright, Everton (Langford 63'), Mugalula, Brown (Appleton 80'), Main (Rothwell 70')

Longridge: Kitchen, Marshall, Yoak (Hewitt 74'), Gallagher-Allison, McLean, Fletcher, Harries, Smith (Tanou 56'), Homson-Smith, Anderton (Winder 65'), Van Wyk