Match Report: AIFC 3-2 Cradley Town

On behalf of AIFC CIC, the board of Directors and senior management team would like to welcome all from Newark Town together with our own supporters to the NFU Mutual Sports Ground. Since our last update, the ground improvement works have significantly progressed and we would like to take this opportunity to advise you on the progress of each project. Sports pitches, car park and improvements to access The creation of the new junior football pitches has been completed in September and is currently in the maintenance period. Currently, it is planned that the new pitches will be used for the first time at our Junior tournaments planned for June 2025, earlier than anticipated. Works to the car park and new access have been delayed further. As reported in our last update, this is due to subsidence issues with Lower Packington Road adjacent to the current entrance and the club is still waiting for Leicestershire County Council to investigate and confirm liability for any costs associated with any remedials. The club are also pleased to be able to report that new car park lighting will be installed over the coming weeks with monies raised through fund raising initiatives. This will improve the safety of everyone that visits our facilities at night. New clubhouse roof, new changing rooms and perimeter fencing The new perimeter fencing has been installed to two sides of the first team pitch. We are targeting getting the remaining sides installed ready for next season, funds permitting. The construction of the new changing rooms with a completion date planned for the start of the 2025/2026 season. On behalf of AIFC CIC, we would personally like to thank everyone for your support and all of the companies that have supported the ground development plans to date. If you wish to know more about the ground development works or can offer support in anyway, please feel free to find us and ask any questions you may have. Thanks and come on Ashby Ivanhoe. Jon, Neil, Derrick, Mark and Chris AIFC CIC Directors

First of all, on behalf of AIFC CIC, the board of Directors and senior management team would like to welcome all from Harrowby United to the NFU Mutual Sports Ground. This match marks the long awaited return to First Team league football after we have needed to play our home games at Quorn last season and away from home for the start of the 2024/2025 season. Since our last update on the clubs redevelopment plans, events have significantly moved on and we would like to take this opportunity to update you on the progress of the two current planning applications. Planning application – 22/01811/FULM – Sports pitches, car park and improvements to access Following the lengthy planning process, we are pleased to announce that the creation of the new junior football pitches commenced at the end of August and were completed within a 3 week period. The grass is beginning to grow and it is planned that the new pitches will be ready for the summer of 2026. Works to the car park and new access have been delayed. This is due to subsidence issues with Lower Packington Road adjacent to the current entrance and the club is waiting for Leicestershire County Council to investigate and provide a report into the problem as necessary. Planning application – 22/01811/FULM – New clubhouse roof, new changing rooms, extension to covered seating area and new hardstanding. Ground grading works are complete and you now have the ability to be able to stand behind the far goal supporting the team. A new walkway behind the ‘shed end drinkers’ stand has been created together with additional seats to the David Morris stand. Additional perimeter fencing which will separate the main first team pitch from the adjacent pitches/training areas is to be installed in the coming weeks. The construction of the new changing rooms has commenced and the creation of this will massively improve the facilities at our ground. Subject to additional funding becoming available, the intention is for the changing rooms to be completed by the end of 2024. On behalf of AIFC CIC, we would personally like to thank everyone for your support during the planning application process together with all of the companies that have supported the ground development plans to date. We will continue with our plans to create a facility that we all can be proud of. Off the field, we are pleased to announce that in the summer, Mark Scrivener and Chris Palmer joined the CIC structure, becoming Non-Executive Directors to support the current Directors, their addition will be very beneficial for the development of the club off the field. If you wish to know more about the ground development works, please feel free to find us and ask any questions you may have. Thanks and come on Ashby Ivanhoe  Jon, Neil and Derrick AIFC CIC Directors

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!