Irlam Vale Tigers U10 Fall Short Against St Michael's DHFC Pho

The Irlam Vale Tigers U10 faced a challenging away fixture against St Michael's DH U10 at St Joseph the Worker RC Primary School on 6th September 2025, with the match kicking off at 10:00 am. Despite a spirited performance, the Tigers succumbed to a 5-3 defeat in a thrilling league encounter that showcased both teams' attacking prowess.

The Tigers adopted a 2-3-1 formation, which positioned Bobby Thorne in goal, flanked by central defenders Aleksander Sroczkowski and Lexie Hobson. The midfield was anchored by Victor Ciolek in central midfield, with Damien Dougherty on the right and Kian Koch on the left providing width and support to the lone striker, Alfie Kirwan. This setup aimed to balance defensive solidity with attacking flair, allowing the Tigers to exploit the flanks while maintaining a strong central presence.

The match began with an early setback for the Tigers as St Michael's DHFC Pho opened the scoring in the 8th minute. The Tigers quickly responded, however, as Alfie Kirwan found the net just two minutes later, levelling the score at 1-1 with a well-placed shot. The momentum shifted again when St Michael's regained the lead in the 17th minute, making it 2-1.

Undeterred, Kirwan showcased his talent by scoring again in the 19th minute, this time assisted by himself, demonstrating his ability to create opportunities as well as finish them. Just two minutes later, Kirwan struck once more, bringing the score to 3-2 in favour of the Tigers, igniting hopes of a comeback.

However, St Michael's responded with a goal in the 24th minute, equalising the match at 3-3 before the half-time whistle blew at 25 minutes. The second half saw the Tigers struggling to maintain their earlier momentum, and St Michael's capitalised on this, scoring their fourth goal in the 47th minute. The final blow came in the 50th minute when St Michael's added a fifth goal, sealing a hard-fought victory.

The match was a testament to the Tigers' resilience, particularly through Alfie Kirwan's impressive hat-trick. Despite the defeat, the performance highlighted the potential within the squad, setting the stage for future encounters.