Saturday October 29th 2022
United Counties League, Premier Division South
MK Irish v Histon
Next up The Stutes face a tricky looking away trip to MK Irish, with Lance Key’s side looking to make progress toward their hosts within the league table.
The Irish are a relatively new club, having been formed in 2020 following the merger of Milton Keynes Robins, MK Unite, and MK Irish Veterans. With the coronavirus pandemic causing a halt to proceedings, the side who were operating in the Spartan South Midland League, (SSML) Division One (Step 6) sat well in 2nd place and gained promotion thanks to their superior points per game average to Step 5. In their first full season in the SSML Premier, The Irish competed well, finishing in a respectable 12th place before their sideways movement into the UCL in the close season.
This term Terry Shrieves’ side have made a promising start and currently occupy 5th spot, 6 points adrift of league leaders Rugby Town. Much like many sides in the division, their form of late appears to be a little patchy with 5 points collected in their last 4 outings. Last time out they and visitors March Town United could not be separated, with the 4th placed visitors claiming a point in a 3-3 draw.
Ryan Smith will again look to influence the game infront of goal, with the striker leading the Irish line with 9 goals to his name. Powfil Raposo has also made a fine impact, for the most part from the substitutes bench as he has chipped in having netted on 4 occasions.
Lance Key’s Stutes come into this clash off the back of a fine home victory against Rothwell last week. Seemingly cruising to victory, and indeed a welcome clean sheet a couple of lapses in concentration lead to the visitors scoring twice late on. The manager will be hoping that his defensive line can eradicate such errors in this important fixture, allowing a point or three to brought back to Bridge Road.
Unfortunately Key will again not be able to call upon Pat Bexfield who serves the last game of his suspension, whilst striker Dan Brown remains a doubt, thanks to a knock picked up against Rothwell. Luke Lindsay may well lead the line, after Rhys Thorpe left the club this week, as a handful of Matt Payne’s ever improving Reserve side may again look to get the nod at First Team level.
An online version of the matchday programme can be found below
https://mkirishfc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/HISTON-online-29-Oct-22.pdf
Ground Address:
Pavilion Manor Field, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK2 2HX
Travel Time from Bridge Road: 53 Minutes, 46 Miles
If you are unable to make the journey to Milton Keynes, you can catch the Reserve Team in action at Comberton Village College, hosting Great Shelford Reserves in Cambs League, Senior B action, Kick Off is at 2:30pm
