2023 in the IFA got underway this month on a weekend that was the English FA Cup 3rd round weekend with just the 2 games taking place in the English Leagues.
7th January
First up, Rochdale hosted Manchester United at the Kingsway Park High School and saw off Manchester United a 4-0 win. Goals from Jimmy Hardman, Travis Roberts and a brace from Ryan Lockett saw Rochdale strengthen their position at the top of the IFA English table.
This game also saw the last appearance of Ric Ashworth-Lord before his life changing move to New York with his young family.
Ric has played for the Manchester United Supporters since 2010, and was part of their WorldNet plate winning team in 2013. The team presented him with a signed David De Gea shirt ahead of the fixture with the team making a donation of £250 to the Manchester United Foundation in return for their help with the shirt. All the best on your new beginnings Ric!
In the only other game taking place, Claret Shoemakers hosted MKDSA FC at Dallington Park. Goals from Jamie Prentice, Sam Cramphorn and braces from Caden Johnson and Ed saw the Shoemakers put five past the travelling Dons supporters with Jamie Prentice grabbing a consolation for the visitors.
14th January
Just the one fixture this weekend as Shrewsbury Town SFC travelled to Burton Albion SFC.
George Jones grabbed the only goal for the visitors, whilst Ash Statham grabbed a brace, Dave Goldsmith, Liam Eaton, Josh Page and Nathan McLelland scored for the hosts as they came out 6-1 winners.
21st January
The weekend of 21st January had 2 games scheduled, however British weather causing frozen pitches meant both games were called off.
28th January
An action packed final weekend kicked off with 5 games taking place across the English and Scottish Leagues. British and Scottish League leaders KaisAyr headed to Real Maroon, but were held to a 1-1 draw as Steven Galbraith scored for KaisAyr and Jake Grierson scored for the hosts.
Stirling Albino hosted Glasgow Piraten, with Lewis Park bagging a hat-trick for Stirling and taking his tally for the season to 10 during a 5-2 win. Martin King and Steven also scored for the hosts, meanwhile Seamus Lumsden scored for the visitors.
At Logan’s Road Fir Park Corner saw off Alloa Athletic SFC 2-1 with goals from Deane Brown and Brandon Ferrie with Liam Black grabbing a consolation for the visitors. Meanwhile at the Winchbrugh sport and well-being hub goals from Alex McMahon, Ewan Love and Callum McArthur meant Hibernifan saw off visitors Queen’s Park SFC 3-1, with Dylan Roberts scoring for the travelling team.
In the only game in the English League, Preston moved up to third place in the league with a 3-6 win over hosts Macclesfield SFC. A hat-trick from Chris Chambers, a brace from Jack Sumner and a goal from James Brightling was enough to give Preston the win, with the hosts grabbing goals from Dean Hou, Ash Mernock and Liam Davenport.