Ashby Ivanhoe

NFU Sports Ground, home of Ashby Ivanhoe based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire and play their trade in Step 6 of the Non League Pyramid in the Midland Football League Division One. Nicknamed the “Knights” with a picture of one on the club badge.

You know the fixture backlog is big when Thursday nights have games! And not just in the Europa League! Quite a few to choose from but the game of choice is Ashby Ivanhoe vs Haughmond FC. Haughmond rooted bottom of the league and going down whereas Ashby are 4th, goals goals goals?

Straight onto the M1 and off at the A42 and here I am with around 15 minutes to go before kick off. £6 to get in here! Lovely! The last few minutes of Gent & West Ham in the Europa League is showing in the food area here which is the perfect way to kill time before kick off.

1-1 it finishes and out come the players for tonight’s game! Let’s hope for a Thursday thriller here!

Kick Off! 7 minutes in and Ashby play a through ball to George Teeney who gets into the box on the right, he’s on his own and he shoots… Over! “Composure!” The Ashby team know what was needed there!

3 minutes later and Ashby hit it long and Sam Grouse may get to this, he gets to it just inside the box and he goes for it… He doesn’t quite make the right contact and it goes well wide…

17th minute and Haughmond play forward, it’s flicked through for number 11 to chase, he gets into the box on the right and shoots under pressure… Over! Good defending there to force that miss.

26 minutes now and Ashby come forward with Sam Grouse, he plays it to Liam Donaghy running into the box on the right, he shoots… Fantastic finish! 1-0! It’s been coming!

2 minutes later and here come Ashby again down the right, it’s played forward and it falls nicely for number 12 and he’s in… SAVED! Big save there!

34 minutes gone and Ashby come forward, it’s played to Sam Grouse who gets it onto his left and shoots from just inside the box… BANG! And he finds the net! Another good finish! 2-0!

42nd minute now and Ashby continue to dominate this game! They play a long ball forward, Haughmond number 3 mis reads it and Sam Grouse for Ashby is in… And he scores again! 3-0! Ashby have daylight! That is how it stays at half time.

Second half, Ashby still on top here. 60th minute and Ashby come forward, they work it to Haydn Brown on the right, he beats his man and he’s in… Saved! Big chance for 4 there!

64th minute and it’s a corner for Ashby, in it comes… It’s headed down to George Teeney who sets up number 15 to shoot… WHAT A SAVE! The keeper somehow keeps it out! Strong arm there to keep that one out!

68 minutes played and it’s a free kick on the right next to the corner flag for Ashby, it’s crossed in, Ash Garner is there… And he heads it home! Surely 3 points for Ashby now! 4-0!

3 minutes later and Ashby come again, Haydn Brown is played through in the box on the right, he plays it across for Sam Grouse… To claim his hat trick! He runs in to the six yard box to put the ball away again! 5-0!

2 minutes after that and Ashby win the ball back in the Haughmond half… Poor from the Haughmond defence there… It’s chipped through to Sam Grouse in the box, no flag here, he’s around the keeper… and he’s got ANOTHER ONE! 6-0! It’s too easy for Ashby!

2 minutes after that and Ashby bomb down the right with Sam Grouse, he plays it across for Haydn Brown in the box on the left, he cuts inside and shoots… And he finds the net! They’re queueing up!! 4 goals in the last 7 minutes for Ashby! 7-0! Haughmond no answer…

82 minutes now and Ashby play down the right again, Haydn Brown is played through and he drives towards goal and goes for the near post… Saved! Corner, in it comes… It’s headed away, number 6 plays it back in… There’s too much on it and it’s out for a goal kick.

88th minute and Ashby play down the right, it’s crossed in, number 9 at the back stick controls and gets a shot away… OH! Brilliant save again! Haughmond clear.

Ashby continue to press but Haughmond have their keeper to thank for keeping it only at 7 tonight! That could have easily been double figures otherwise.

FT: Ashby Ivanhoe 7-0 Haughmond

Ratings

• Atmosphere: 2/10 – A little bit there tonight, a few bangs on the side when the team scored.
• The Ground: 5.5/10 – It’s ok here I think! The bar area is really nice and it looks nice in the daylight with the trees! They’ve made the most of it here I’d say!
• Expense: 10/10 – £6 to get in and £10 for food and a pin badge, worth it? For the goal count yes!
• Overall Experience: 5/10 – It was alright tonight! I’m glad I went and it’s a good tick off the list!

22.5/40