The penultimate month of the IFA 2022/2023 season, April, saw a plethora of games with teams attemping to finish as high as they possibly can in the IFA British League and an IFA British Cup Quarter-Final to determine who will take the remaining spot in the Semi-Finals.
1st April
Three of the four IFA British Cup Quarter-Finals were played in March, with the fourth and final Quarter-Final taking place on April Fool’s Day, as Burton Albion SFC hosted Alloa Athletic SFC. The Scottish side won 6-2 to progress and take the final Semi-Final spot in the IFA British Cup, thanks to a brace from Ross McAra and goals from Blaine Prentice, Liam Weir, Billy and Michael Cairns. Dave Goldsmith and Ty Burton were on the scoresheet for Burton Albion SFC.
There were two games in the IFA English League including a 15-goal thriller between Manchester United SFC and AFC Halifax SFC, who were playing their first game this season. Despite goals from Ben Fawkes, Tom Wood and braces from Andy Littlefair and Harry Talbot, it wasn’t enough for The Shaymen as Manchester United SFC edged the game 8-7 after a hat-trick from both Paul Barnes and Tez Armstrong and a Calum Beckett double.
The IFA English League also had a local derby between Rochdale SFC and Bury SFC. Adeboboye Taiwo and Michael Sanchez scored for Bury SFC, however their efforts weren’t enough to stop their rivals taking the 3 points and bragging rights, thanks to a Paul Hudson brace and a goal apiece from Kyle Davies and Ryan Lockett helping The Dale to a 4-2 win.
10th April
The Easter period is associated with the resurrection of Jesus, however in the IFA, Easter Monday saw the return of Wolverhampton Wanderers SFC, who marked their return with a Midlands derby with We Are Birmingham FC. Despite a Nathan Brown goal for The Blues, an own goal by Euan Scott meant the teams couldn’t be separated, as the IFA English League game finished 1-1.
There was a second fixture in the IFA English League, as the Watford IFC hosted the Claret Shoemakers. It was the hosts who took the 3 points, thanks to goals from Mark O’Connor, Tom Labbett, Frank Smith, Adam Gallichan and David Sitkowski. Rich Dams got a consolation for the away side, with Watford IFC running out 5-1 winners.
15th April
There was just one game on this particular date and it was in the IFA Scottish League between Glasgow Piraten and KaisAyr, with KaisAyr travelling to Glasgow hoping to extend their lead at the top of the IFA British and Scottish League. Thanks to a hat-trick from both Marc McKinnon and Stephen Simpson, the visitors won 0-6 and left with 3 important points that helped them maintain their stay at the top of the IFA leagues.
22nd April
In the Scottish League, there were two fixtures – Fir Park Corner hosted Glasgow Piraten, while FC Livingston GS went to Stirling Albino.
Four goals from John Wright inspired Fir Park Corner to a 7-1 win over Glasgow Piraten. Aaron Ducey, Ross Elliot and Greame McMahon completed the scoring for the current IFA British and Scottish League champions, who continue to put the pressure on KaisAyr who are doing their best to take the titles from Fir Park Corner. Laurie Motherwell, on his 50th appearance, got a consolation for Glasgow Piraten.
In the other Scottish League game, FC Livingston GS edged a 2-3 away win at Stirling Albino despite a Martin King double for the hosts. Efforts from Tom Cheeseman, Ross Young and Michael Dosser ensured that it was FC Livingston who took the 3 points.
29th April
There was one game in both the IFA English League and the IFA Scottish League to end a busy month of action in the IFA.
In the IFA English League, We Are Birmingham travelled to Northampton to play the Claret Shoemakers. The visitors ran out 1-6 victors after goals from Euan Scott, Andy Pendleton, Chris Goulding, Jamies Graham, Callum Horne and Nathan Brown. Brendan Walsh got a goal for the hosts, but it wasn’t enough to stop a prolific We Are Birmingham side.
The IFA Scottish League saw Internazioswally host FC Livingston GS who were hoping to build on their win at Stirling Albion a week prior. A Jim Martin brace inspired the hosts to a 5-1 win, with Fraser Fernie, Nathen Liddle and Ryan McNee also getting on the scoresheet. Joni Agini was typically on the scoresheet for FC Livingston GS, however it was just a consolation for the visitors who couldn’t match a five star performance from Internazioswally.