ASHBY IVANHOE 0-3 ROTHLEY IMPERIAL
LEICESTERSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
SATURDAY 21ST JANUARY 2012

Ashby Ivanhoe suffered a second successive defeat against a title-challenging side as Rothley Imperial capitalised on a lacklustre performance to run out 3-0 winners.

The match started fairly evenly with both sides looking for the early advantage but defences were on top and the play was mostly in midfield and it took until the 19th minute before the first real chance at goal and it came for the visitors when the forward beat a couple of defenders before firing his shot over the bar.

Rothley went even closer just four minutes later when a ball forward was only half cleared and from the edge of the area a powerfully struck volley was destined for the net but Ashby’s goalkeeper John Noon produced a fine save by tipping the ball onto the bar.

With ten minutes of the first half remaining Rothley broke the deadlock when a corner was played towards the back post and when Ashby failed to clear the ball a shot from six yards found the net.

Ashby had struggled to break down the Rothley defence and chances were at a premium but just before the break they had their first chance at goal when Jack Willars tried a shot from out wide but the keeper made a comfortable save to send the teams in at the break with Rothley in front.

The second half started the same as the first with both sides struggling to create chances and it took until just after the hour mark before Ashby had the opportunity to level the scores when a corner was met at the near post by Phil Gibson but his header was wide.

In the 64th minute Rothley went and doubled their lead and it was poor defending from Ashby which gifted them the goal when Jamie Yeomans was easily dispossessed and from 20 yards the shot was beyond the dive of Noon and into the top corner.

With Ashby unable to create chances there was only going to be one winner and with five minutes remaining the visitors extended their lead with the third goal when former player Steve Hart chased down a long ball forward over the top of defence and after rounding Noon he slotted home into the empty net to complete the victory and Ashby will look to put in a better performance in midweek when they face Bardon Hill in the Coalville Charity Cup before returning to league action at Desford next weekend.