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

Ashby Ivanhoe FC got off to a flying start, with Jordan Wilson scoring after just 19 minutes. Jesse Vowles, the new midfielder, was instrumental in the goal, winning the ball back and setting up Will Robson to find Wilson, who calmly slotted the ball past the keeper. However, the lead was short-lived, as GNG Oadby equalized later in the first half. Vowles was unfortunate to be involved in the error that led to the goal, but his performance was otherwise outstanding. He was a midfield dynamo, showing tenacity, bravery, and creativity. Despite dominating the game, Ashby couldn't find a winner. They had numerous corner kicks and free kicks, with Jack Henchcliffe's delivery from set pieces causing problems for the opposition. The front two of Wilson and Wyse were impressive, holding up the ball well and creating chances for their teammates. The game became increasingly intense, with some questionable refereeing decisions and a yellow card given in the 84th minute. Despite this, Ashby will be pleased with their progress, especially the impact of their youth players. The team is building momentum ahead of the new season, and the experience gained from these friendly matches will be invaluable. - Leo Bennett

A classic game of two halves was won early by Ivanhoe thanks to a classy finish by fan favourite Will Robson, successfully beating the offside trap and getting onto the end of one of Josh Thomas’ many well whipped crosses into the box. In the first 45, a lot of Ashby’s success came from down the flanks, with Thomas and Kartel O’Neill-Martin getting the better of their respective full-backs consistently. This alongside Robson’s stellar skill and creativity resulted in a lot of free flowing attacking football creating lots of chances for Ivanhoe. With the latter coming extremely close from a free-kick in the 12th minute, amongst an array of close chances including a lovely piece of skill to take on two defenders in one resulting in a well saved strike from outside the box. Considering the majority of the Ashby starting XI being debutants, the cohesion and structure specifically defensively was incredibly impressive, a solid start to pre-season with a clean sheet, with Jay Rabone making some solid saves in the second half. However, the home side were far more prevalent in the second half and epitomised the idiom that there’s no such thing as a friendly, leaving Ivanhoe frustrated with some of the challenges and refereeing decisions, including what looked to be a stone-wall penalty on Robson as he was tripped in the box during the 60th minute. Despite this, Ivanhoe battled hard and earned their victory well, the first under new manager Lee Barratt, who will be happy with the experience gained by young players and new signings who got some important minutes throughout the game. Plenty of positives for Ivanhoe on the whole, and they will be looking to further improve on many positive signs shown during the match when they travel to GNG Oadby Town FC on Tuesday night. Written by Leo Bennett

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!