Belper United 4-3 AIFC

Ivanhoe secured their place in the next round of the Sports Ground Development UCL Cup last night through Sam Grouse’s second half goal!  It was an excellent performance from front to back and the boys could have won by significantly more, as Grouse saw a chance narrowly go over the bar and one come off the post! At home, the Knights put in a good performance against a higher level opposition, but that game ended with Heather coming out on top winning 3-0. Now onto Saturday when our focus switches back to the league, as the first team host Melton Town at the NFU, and the Knights travel to Cottesmore!

Ashby Ivanhoe are pleased to be able to announce Malcom Woodings as the new Manager of the Knights.  Although Malcom has only been at the club a relatively short time, his enthusiasm and appreciation of the culture of Ashby Ivanhoe has impressed everyone. Malcom’s first game in charge will be this Saturday away to Barrow Town, with his first game at the NFU the following Saturday when we host Highfield Rangers. All at the club give him their full support and wish him well in his new role.

The boys put in a much improved second half display but ultimately a tough opening 45 minutes cost us as we went in at the break 2 down.  We came out the blocks quick second half and Holmes and Grouse both had efforts that narrowly went over the bar. Ivanhoe were finally able to make a breakthrough 17 minutes from time as the Town goalkeeper collided with Carta, with Grouse stepping up to convert from the spot. Moments later Acott was clean through and was hacked down by the last Hucknall defender, who was shown red. We however were unable to take advantage and couldn’t grab a late equaliser. We go again on Saturday, when we host Bilston in the FA Vase Second Round Qualifying at the NFU, thanks to all those that travelled over tonight to support the lads!

After a stop-start first half where neither side could really take control of the game, the lads came out and took it up a level in the second period to take all 3 points!  The goal came as Will Robson did fantastic down the left wing to cut back and find Joel Carta in the box, Carta found space with a great first touch and slotted across goal into the far corner of the net! Moments later the ball was in the net again and it looked to have been 2 but Carta was adjudged to have been offside from the James Harrison cross (see last photo…)! The back line were tested by a physical Boston side but remained faultless, earning themselves and Sam Taylor in nets another clean sheet! Overall a well earned 3 points - well done lads! Next up we visit Hucknall Town on Wednesday night!

Ivanhoe storm into the next round of the Sports Ground Development UCL Cup with a fantastic performance in the roasting heat!  Braces for both Danny Quinn and Sam Grouse, as well as goals from James Harrison and Will Robson get the job done for Ivanhoe! Next up, the boys finally return to league action as we host Boston Town next Saturday!

Our The Emirates FA Cup Journey ends but the lads can be proud of the performance they put in today!  We went toe to toe with Step 3 opposition for the majority of the game but were ultimately undone through a first half penalty kick and a second half header! Our visitors were reduced to 10 men after the goalkeeper caught a back pass on the line to deny a goal scoring opportunity, but we couldn’t quite make the final ball work to take advantage in the final 20 minutes. All in all, plenty of positives to take from it and a great showing from our boys - on a different day who knows how it could have gone! Thanks to the 391 that turned up to support the boys, your support was great and we look forward to see you back at the NFU on the 16th September when we host Boston Town! All the best to Bromsgrove Sporting FC in the next round, and at least that’s the date for Skeggy away on the 30th September now confirmed!

A tough one to take tonight, 3-1 up and cruising with just minutes left to play but somehow Belper end up turning it around completely scoring 3 in 6 minutes to take maximum points.  The 3 brilliant Ivanhoe goals came from Sam Grouse, Joe Neal and Joel Carta, it sounds ridiculous to say given the result but we were absolutely superb to watch for the majority of the game! Thanks to everyone that came and supported the boys, 75% of the crowd must have been Ashby and we take more away than some get at home, please be assured that that’s never taken for granted! We now go again on Saturday, at home to Bromsgrove Sporting in the next round of the FA Cup!

A second half strike from Sam Grouse sends Ivanhoe into the next round of the FA Cup!  It was a tight encounter that swung our way in the second 45 half of the game, and our pressure paid off when the again sensational Will Robson played in Grouse who cut inside and finished off calmly! A great crowd of 233 considering that both Leicester and Derby at home too - the support 2nd half pushed the lads on! A date for the diary - First Round Qualifying- 2nd September! GET INNNNNNN!!

Another battling performance from the boys who came out 2nd half and totally dominated, taking our chances and defending brilliantly to earn another clean sheet!  Goals from James Harrison, Joel Carta and Sam Grouse, all great strikes in front of a strong midweek crowd of 179! See you again Saturday, in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup! Match report to follow tomorrow!