An improved and spirited Ashby display went unrewarded at Sign Right Park, as the hosts Melton Town held on to win a thriller. Melton hit Ashby with a rapid onslaught from the first whistle, scoring in the 5 th and 7 th minute through two clinical finishes capitalising on a freshly put together Ashby defence which wasn’t allowed anytime to gel in the early stages. Despite the potentially startling first ten minutes, Ashby bounced back brilliantly, showing signs of incredible resilience and perseverance, two elements that will be key to them turning around their start of the season fortunes and fighting their way back up the league table. Ashby’s determination to get back into the game was rewarded in the 27 th minute through a lovely piece of link up play on the edge of the box between Jordan Edwards and Will Robson, in which a one-two round the corner left Robson one-on-one with the Melton goalkeeper where he finished calmly into the bottom right corner to give Ashby a fighting chance to come back. Ashby’s well deserved goal gave The Knights a spring in their step heading into the break which also followed into the beginning of the second half, resulting in an array of chances that on another day could’ve been put away. A couple fell to Kartel O’Neill-Martin who was really unlucky not to score in the 49 th minute through a whipped effort from outside the box that was sensationally tipped around the post. Despite all the pressure, Ashby were pegged back to a two goal deficit against the run of play in the 57 th minute as a result of a scramble in the six yard box which ended with a scuffed shot bouncing up into the roof of the net, reinforcing that the rub of the green just wasn’t with Ivanhoe on the day. Just over ten minutes later, Ashby were given a lifeline through goalkeeper Alex Graham who brilliantly prevented the hosts going 4-1 up from the spot. One of a selection of key moments from the number one which kept Ashby within reach of Melton. As the game progressed, Ashby kept chipping away whilst substitutes impressed on the whole, who stretched the opponent’s defence at times. Eventually Ashby got another goal, an incredible one at that and a potential goal of the season contender by Roman Watson- Quilter who’s thunderbolt was fired into the top left corner from outside the box, rounding off a man of the match performance from the new right back. But sadly, it was too little too late in the 95 th minute for Ivanhoe who couldn’t find an equaliser despite their very best efforts. Positives to take and a performance that certainly puts the team on an uphill trajectory going into the bank holiday weekend in which Ivanhoe host both Heanor Town and Clay Cross Town at the Element Ground on Saturday and Monday respectively, both kicking off at 3pm. Author: Leo Bennett

Ashby’s home fixture against Boston Town started with early controversy as, in just the second minute, the visitors were awarded a penalty. Harley Kozluk was judged to have upended a Boston player just inside the area while attempting to clear the ball — a marginal decision. The visitors were denied the lead, however, when Alex Graham dived low to his left to pull off a superb save. The hosts struggled to get a foothold early on, with their only notable chance coming from a corner when Louis Anthony rose highest, only to see his header saved. Graham was again called into action on 27 minutes, producing a stunning double save to keep Boston at bay. Ashby began to settle, and two minutes later took the lead. Sam Birks picked up the ball midway inside the Boston half, spotted keeper Portas off his line, and unleashed a superb 30-yard lob that sailed into the net. Birks was close to doubling the advantage shortly afterwards, forcing another save, before Ivanhoe were left frustrated when a strong penalty appeal was waved away after Will Robson appeared to be tripped in the box. Graham ensured the hosts went into half-time in front with another key save just before the break. Boston struck back almost immediately after the restart, with Zac Munton finishing from close range to level the scores. Tyler Smith had a great chance to restore the lead on 65 minutes but saw his shot saved, and two minutes later the match swung in Boston’s favour. Graham was adjudged to have bundled over Matt Cotton while clearing the ball, and the referee again pointed to the spot. This time, Alex Limb converted to make it 1–2. Ivanhoe pushed hard for an equaliser in the final stages, with manager Lee Barratt making several attacking changes, even sending centre-back Louis Anthony forward. Their best opportunity came late on when Taylor Wyse met a cross inside the six-yard box, but he couldn’t get a clean connection and his effort bounced tamely into the keeper’s hands. Next up for Ivanhoe is an away trip to Melton on Saturday.

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

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