After conceding inside just 18 seconds, Ivanhoe responded in emphatic fashion to secure a convincing 6-1 victory over Aylestone Park.  Summer signing Kieran O’Connell was at the heart of an excellent first-half response, quickly bringing the boys level before continuing to cause problems throughout the opening 45 minutes. Harry Landsdowne put Ivanhoe ahead on the 15-minute mark, reacting after a corner and firing past the goalkeeper to complete the turnaround. O’Connell then added his second of the evening in superb fashion, calmly placing an effort from the edge of the box into the far corner to give Ivanhoe a 3-1 advantage. Despite the early setback, the boys never panicked and were firmly in control by the time the half-time whistle arrived. Aylestone’s task became even more difficult midway through the second half when a late challenge on Zac Hill resulted in a red card, before a sin bin shortly afterwards temporarily reduced the visitors to nine men. Ivanhoe immediately capitalised from the resulting free kick, with George Teeney looping a header home to make it four. Landsdowne then grabbed his second of the night, powering home a back-post header from Charlie Hyde’s delivery, before Liam Donaghy rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot in added time on what was his 200th appearance for the club. Credit must also go to the Aylestone goalkeeper, who produced a number of excellent saves throughout the evening. Without them, the scoreline could easily have been even more emphatic . The AIFC Supporters Group awarded Player of the Match to Kieran O’Connell after an outstanding midfield performance. Another fantastic midweek crowd of more than 200 backed the boys throughout the evening, and we are back at the Element Ground on Saturday as we welcome Bedworth United in the next round of the FA Cup.

Ivanhoe are through to the next round of the FA Vase after a hard-fought 1-0 victory away at Sandbach United.  The boys produced an excellent first-half performance and were unfortunate not to head into the break with more than a one-goal advantage. RJ provided the decisive moment, finding the net to give Ivanhoe a deserved lead. Our hosts responded strongly after the break and made the second half a much tougher test, but the boys defended brilliantly, stayed composed and saw the game out to secure another cup victory. A great result on the road and another step forward in the competition. Next up in the FA Vase, we travel to Knowle FC on Saturday 12th September . Well done to the lads, and a huge thank you to everyone who made the journey to support the boys.

Ivanhoe are through to the next round of the FA Cup after a superb 3-1 victory over Step 4 side Worcester Raiders. The boys started brightly, taking control of the game and dominating large parts of the opening 45 minutes. That pressure was rewarded when George Clarke found the net to give Ivanhoe a deserved lead going into the break. The second half continued in much the same fashion, with George Teeney causing the Raiders back line all sorts of problems. A quick-fire double put Ashby firmly in control before the 65-minute mark, with his second a brilliantly taken 25-yard lob over the goalkeeper. Worcester responded well and pulled one back with around 20 minutes remaining, before forcing Ivanhoe goalkeeper Alfie Hoskins into a number of important saves late on, including a superb stop from point-blank range. Despite 10 minutes of added time and plenty of late pressure from the visitors, the boys stood firm and saw the game out professionally to secure our place in the next round. N ext up in the FA Cup, we welcome Bedworth United to the Element Ground on Saturday 22nd August, as we look forward to another big cup afternoon at home. A huge thank you to the 215 supporters who came out to back the lads. Your support really does make a difference.