Report

Irchester were a shadow of their former self from their last game against Raunds. Granted, we had a different side out today, and a MUCH better opposition (notably their first team strikers, winger, and rightback), and the fact their Reserves play in the league above ours, we still didnt have the same desire and commitment to win the game as Whitworths did in this local derby. They had more bite, more enthusiasm from the start, and played the better football.
Irchester twice went behind during the game, although to our credit we played much better in the second half, and with the scoreline at 3-2 with a couple of minutes to go, we put the pressure on them and looked like getting the equaliser. Until very late in the game there was a bit of a melee involving one of our experienced players and one of their young players, which resulted in several players from both teams shoving and argueing. Irchester lost concentration, Whitworths took advantage of that, and scored two very late goals to kill the game off whilst we were still questioning the referee and their players. Lessons must be learnt from games like these. Thankfully it wasnt a league game. A few positives from the game but not many. Man of the match (as voted for by various players in the bar after the game) goes to debutant Lucan Burge.
Speaking to Whitworths afterwards, they said that was their strongest Reserve team they have put out all season, mainly due to their first team having a game the night before, so half a dozen first teamers played against us. Their pace and skill showed us up today. Never mind, we are a brand new team that needs to gel, and its only our second game of the season. We need one or two more players but its very early days!