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Ashby Ivanhoe’s first home fixture of the new season ended in a 3-1 defeat to a sharp Eastwood CFC side, despite a determined first-half performance and some standout individual displays at The Element Ground. The match got off to a lively start, with Ashby awarded an early penalty after an Eastwood handball. Sam Birks stepped up, but his spot-kick was well saved by the Eastwood goalkeeper, who guessed right and made a strong save to keep the game level. Eastwood then turned the screws and sustained Ashby with a flurry of attacking play, having a couple of shots hit the woodwork and corners were plenty. Ashby replied in timely fashion, with Tyler Smith nearly breaking the deadlock after latching onto a precise ball from Dec Clarke, only to be denied by yet another smart save. Kartel O’Neill Martin also came desperately close as his attempt was cleared well off the line. Eastwood opened the scoring, capitalising on a defensive error during a free kick to take the lead, but Ashby responded with real intent. A fantastic cross from Kartel O'Neill Martin found the head of Sam Birks, who made no mistake this time, powering home the equaliser to make it 1-1 going into half-time. In the second half, Eastwood gradually took control, creating more chances and eventually retaking the lead. A third goal followed shortly after, giving the visitors a comfortable cushion as Ashby struggled to regain momentum. Despite the final scoreline, there were positives to take for Ashby. Jesse Vowles put in a spirited shift in midfield, battling hard throughout and showing composure on the ball, while Ben Gough and Ellis Edwards held their own in defence, dealing well with pressure from a lively Eastwood attack. It wasn’t the result Ashby hoped for in their first game at the newly named Element Ground, but with plenty of encouraging signs, including moments of quality and effort across the pitch, the team will look to bounce back stronger in their next fixture where they play Worcester Raiders away in the FA Cup this Saturday. The club would also like to thank all the fans who turned out to support the team in our first home league game of the season. Your backing from the stands means a great deal to the players and staff, and we look forward to seeing you all again soon.
📅 2025/26 Fixtures Released – A New Season Begins for Ashby Ivanhoe FC! Ashby Ivanhoe FC are delighted to announce our full fixture list for the upcoming 2025/26 United Counties League Premier Division North season. Preparations are in full swing on and off the pitch and the release of the fixtures marks an exciting moment for all players, staff, and supporters. The countdown is officially on as we gear up for what promises to be a thrilling campaign in Step 5 of the National League System. Manager Lee Barratt and the squad will be looking to make a strong statement from the very first whistle and continue building on from preseason. Whether it’s tough away days or big home clashes under the lights at the Element Sports Ground, there’s no shortage of exciting battles ahead. 🎟 Key Dates for Your Diary: We’ll begin our campaign 26/07/2025, and fans can already look forward to big fixtures, and a run-in as the season draws to a close that includes a local derby and Skegness away! 📝 Full Fixture List Deeping Rangers FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 15:00, Sat 26/7/2025 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Eastwood CFC – 19:45, Tue 29/7/2025 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Boston Town FC – 15:00, Sat 9/8/2025 Melton Town FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 19:45, Wed 13/8/2025 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Heanor Town FC – 15:00, Sat 23/8/2025 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Clay Cross Town FC – 15:00, Mon 25/8/2025 Blackstones FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 15:00, Sat 30/8/2025 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Belper United FC – 19:45, Tue 2/9/2025 Kimberley Miners Welfare FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 15:00, Sat 13/9/2025 Hucknall Town FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 19:45, Wed 17/9/2025 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Harrowby United FC – 15:00, Sat 27/9/2025 Newark Town FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 15:00, Sat 4/10/2025 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Wisbech Town FC – 15:00, Sat 11/10/2025 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs AFC Mansfield – 19:45, Tue 21/10/2025 Sherwood Colliery FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 15:00, Sat 25/10/2025 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Skegness Town FC – 15:00, Sat 1/11/2025 Eastwood CFC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 20:00, Tue 4/11/2025 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Newark & Sherwood United FC – 15:00, Sat 8/11/2025 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Grantham Town FC – 15:00, Sat 15/11/2025 Clay Cross Town FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 15:00, Sat 22/11/2025 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Hucknall Town FC – 15:00, Sat 29/11/2025 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Deeping Rangers FC – 15:00, Sat 6/12/2025 Belper United FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 15:00, Sat 13/12/2025 Newark & Sherwood United FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 15:00, Sat 20/12/2025 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Gresley Rovers FC – 15:00, Sat 27/12/2025 Heanor Town FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 15:00, Sat 3/1/2026 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Blackstones FC – 15:00, Sat 10/1/2026 Harrowby United FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 15:00, Sat 17/1/2026 Boston Town FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 15:00, Sat 24/1/2026 AFC Mansfield vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 15:00, Sat 31/1/2026 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Melton Town FC – 15:00, Sat 7/2/2026 Grantham Town FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 15:00, Sat 14/2/2026 Wisbech Town FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 15:00, Sat 7/3/2026 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Sherwood Colliery FC – 15:00, Sat 14/3/2026 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Newark Town FC – 15:00, Sat 28/3/2026 Ashby Ivanhoe FC vs Kimberley Miners Welfare FC – 15:00, Sat 4/4/2026 Gresley Rovers FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 15:00, Mon 6/4/2026 Skegness Town FC vs Ashby Ivanhoe FC – 15:00, Sat 11/4/2026 📣 Get Behind the Team! We’re calling on our loyal fanbase to be the 12th man once again this season. Your support makes the difference – home or away, rain or shine. Keep an eye out for ticket info, matchday promotions, and special events throughout the year. Season tickets are still half price for home league games until the 31 st of August 2025, so come and claim yours now! Stay connected across our social media channels and follow the journey as we look to make 2025/26 a season to remember. Up the Ivanhoe! 💙⚔️
Ivanhoe were undone by a well drilled and disciplined Aylestone Park side on a crisp Tuesday evening - a team that will expect to be challenging at the sharp end of their division this upcoming season. Ivanhoe almost made the perfect start, with winger Tyler Smith bursting through within the opening minute, but he was unable to convert the chance. As the game progressed, Aylestone had a clear, possession-based style of play which spread Ivanhoe and forced errors, enabling the home side to create chances. Their first goal came in the 9th minute following a tricky run down the right and a pacey cross that was converted through a sharp front post header - leaving goalkeeper Jay Rabone with little chance of saving. Rabone was otherwise solid in the first half, coming off his line frequently to smother or clear attempted long balls by the home side. Ivanhoe suffered another injury blow in the early part of the game with defender Liam Donaghy being forced off following a knock, but on the whole, they were resolute in defence. After the break, Ivanhoe began to create more chances and looked brighter going forward, however, the hosts’ scored a second goal came somewhat against the run of play, in the 66th minute. This came via a counterattack in which a heavy Ivanhoe challenge on the edge of the box fell to an opposition attacker. The resulting shot was deflected away from Alex Graham in the Ashby goal and went in low at the near post. In the 79th minute, the game was sealed for Aylestone as a Jacob Sturgess back pass didn’t have the legs to reach Graham in goal, and was pounced upon by the attacker, who took it around the stranded Graham and slotted into the empty Ivanhoe net. Despite the result, there were positives for Ivanhoe. Jesse Vowles impressed with another battling midfield display, while the energetic performances of forwards Sam Birks and Taylor Wyse will give Ivanhoe hope for the coming season. Onto Saturday then, when Ivanhoe welcome Loughborough Students to The Element Ground for the penultimate pre-season fixture. Author: Leo Bennett
Late disappointment for Ivanhoe as an impressive performance goes sadly unrewarded at the hands of two 90th minute counter attacking goals. Ivanhoe dominated the early phases of the altercation, which is becoming quite the trend, and once again it resulted in a 1-0 lead, this time thanks to a calmly slotted penalty by impressive debutant Sam Birks. The first goal felt well deserved for Ivanhoe, as a handball shout in the Dudley box was adjudged not to be worthy of a spot kick, a passage of play which was followed by a disallowed Will Robson goal after a lovely piece of skill by Kartel O’Neill-Martin driving into the box from the left flank. In the latter phases of the first 45 Dudley forced a lot more pressure on Ivanhoe, leading to plenty of last-ditch defending by centre backs Caden Pegg and Liam Donaghy who was a defensive warrior, keeping Ivanhoe in the game on many occasions. However, despite an array of quality blocks in the build-up, the Ashby defence were unlucky to concede a scrappy equaliser. A dampener on the second half alongside Josh Thomas being forced off early through injury. The second half was a very even contest, with both sides having plenty of promising offensive chances. Jay Rabone had a lot of work to do in the Ivanhoe goal, with some spectacular saves. Ivanhoe were the rapid starters once again as Jack Henchcliffe had a low driven effort tipped around the post from long range. The resulting corner was played short into O’Neill-Martin, who swung his cross in with immense pace to find Sam Birks at the near post, who fired his header past the keeper to complete his brace and restore the lead imminently after the break. Ashby once again gave minutes to their youth contingent on the bench who impressed, in the 89th minute Ellis Edwards and Tyler Smith linked up beautifully, but the shot from the latter was saved. The resulting corner was unproductive for Ivanhoe though, and Dudley quickly broke and equalised, potentially taking advantage of some fatigued Ivanhoe legs at the back. But the worst was yet to come for Ivanhoe as another Dudley counter attacking goal stole any sort of a result from Ivanhoe’s grasp as the most impressive Ivanhoe performance of pre-season so far went completely unrewarded. I caught up with debutant brace-scorer Sam Birks post game, who explained that the style of play suits him down to the ground and that he thought he had to take the early penalty, I suspect that the game for him personally did his confidence a huge amount of good going into the season. The talisman went on to say that the morale amongst the group is ‘only getting better’ and that they’ve ‘only been improving in all of the games’, his words on the group alongside his ambition of ‘playoffs, simple as that’ certainly provides a huge amount of hope to the fan base, and suggests that this team have a lot to give and in a terrific place going into the season. Author: Leo Bennett
