ASHBY IVANHOE 4-2 DESFORD
LEICESTERSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2011
Ashby Ivanhoe returned to winning ways in the Leicestershire Senior League after three winless matches as they came through an eventful game with last season’s Division One champions Desford 4-2.
It was Ashby who made the brighter start to the match and they took an early seventh minute lead, largely thanks to a goalkeeping error, when a shot from Phil Gibson from the edge of the area was spilled to the feet of Luke Thorogood who had the simplest of finishes from close range.
The visitors were not creating too many clear cut chances and were being restricted to attempts from long range and just before the half hour they had a free kick in a central position 20 yards from goal which keeper Noon had to palm behind and then a few minutes later Noon was called into action again to dive low down to his left and turn the ball around the post to keep Ashby’s two goal lead intact.
With three minutes of the first half remaining Ashby increased their lead with a third goal from a corner which Mark Smalley played accurately into the area and the ball found the unmarked Chris Nettel who directed his header past the keeper.
Before the half time break Desford had their best chance of a goal when from another long range effort the shot left Noon standing as the ball came back off the crossbar and before the follow-up shot was struck Joe Elkin produced a well-timed tackle to see Ashby in at the break leading 3-0.
Into the second half and Ashby were almost gifted a fourth goal inside the first minute when Desford gave away possession cheaply which again left Gibson with a clear run at goal but this time the keeper managed to deflect his shot past the post.
Desford then sensed a comeback in the 48th minute when they pulled a goal back when a diagonal ball forward from half way found its way past the Ivanhoe right back and the waiting player on the corner of the area sent a low powerful shot across goal and into the bottom corner for 3-1.
Ashby were now struggling to create chances as tackles were flying in stopping their progress towards goal and they were left with a very nervous final ten minutes when the visitors pulled back a second goal. It came when a cross from the left went too close to goal and after going over Noon struck the crossbar before the loose ball fell to a Desford player who pulled the ball back for a simple finish from close range.
Ashby were now hanging on to their slender lead for the remainder of the match and with a lengthy amount of additional time after a number of second half incidents they were awarded the chance to put the match beyond doubt five minutes into stoppage time when they were given a penalty after a handball inside the area and Gibson stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way for his second of the match and to secure a deserved three points for Ashby who now move up to eighth place and they will now look to go on a winning run and push further up the table.
