match date: Sat 24th March

posted by: W Dodd - Tuesday 27th March, 2012

IRLAMS LEAGUE FORM SLIPS


Despite taking an early lead in the weekend’s home fixture against AFC Darwen, Irlam suffered a second half collapse at the hands of Darwen striker Ryan Steele, whos hat rick after the break saw the Lancashire side leave Silver St with all three points.

The defeat leaves Irlam in ninth place in NWCFL Div One.

A fairly slow start to the game saw few chances for either side, with Irlam escaping an early scare when Barry Lomas gave the ball away 25yrds out, allowing Darwen their first shot on goal, thankfully just wide of Brewers goal.

A couple of notable chances for the home side, firstly to Chris Palmer with a great strike from 30yrds, tipped over by Chester in the Darwen goal, followed by Darren Green, who lifted his shot over the bar after a neat bit of footwork around the Darwen area.

The breakthrough in the game came right on the stroke of half time, courtesy of a penalty, Irlam’s Adam Pegg brought down inside the area , allowing Irlam captain Chris Palmer to step up and convert the opener right on the stroke of half time.

However, the one goal lead was not set to last, and a loose ball out of Irlam’s defence fifteen minutes into the second period resulted in Darwen striker Ryan Steele open his account with a fierce low drive through a sea of bodies to beat Brewer and draw the scores level.

Worse was to follow, as Steele again found himself in space outside Irlam’s area to fire in an almost identical strike to again beat Brewer and take the lead for Darwen.

Irlam responded with a Chris Palmer free kick, which curled around the Darwen wall but just wide of the goal, followed up by a Gary Prescott strike that went high and wide as the clocked counted down.

With five minutes left to go, Darwen’s Ryan Steele completed a credible hat trick, firing in for his third goal of the game and sealing Irlam’s fate , a defeat that sees the Silver St outfits league form dip dramatically.

Irlam are home this weekend when they play Atherton Collieries. Kickoff is 3pm at Silver St.

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