Kimberley MW 0 Ashby Ivanhoe 1

Ashby put Saturday's disappointing performance at Skegness behind them, producing a confident display and booking their place in the next round of the United Counties League Cup.

The back four saw three changes and were excellent throughout, leaving goalkeeper Sam Taylor with little to do during the match.

Significantly, Ash Garner returned to the starting 11 and made Ivanhoe's midfield far more robust. His partnership with Joel Carta which served Andy Gray's side well during their strong start to the season once again looking strong against Kimberley.

Carta had Ashby's best chance in a tight first half, volleying over from close range. Sam Grouse also came close but saw his lob over the onrushing goalkeeper drop just over the crossbar.

Kimberley posed a threat themselves and looked to play long, using the downward slope to their advantage. However centre back's Joe Neal and Sam Preston did a sterling job of sweeping up and were arguably the two best players on the pitch before the break.

In the second half, Ivanhoe employed a similar tactic in the second half to far greater success. Once again it was the ever-reliable Grouse who broke the deadlock just before the hour mark.

Picking the ball up on the left of the box, Carta lifted a perfectly weighted cross towards his striker who cushioned his header into the empty net.

advertisement

The visitors were good value for their lead after missing several good chances in the opening 15 minutes of the half, as Kimberley's defence struggled to contain the pace of Acott and Grose who were unstoppable running down the hill.

The introduction of Will Robson played a part in strengthening Ivanhoe's hold on the tie. Back from a short-term injury, Robson created a couple of excellent chances for Grouse, who kept Kimberley's goalkeeper busy in the dying embers of the match.

Robson had the chance to get on the scoresheet himself, however he saw his effort denied by an excellent piece of defending on the line as goal bound shot was headed away.

Under little threat at the back, Ivanhoe saw the result out and got back to winning ways just in time before a huge league clash on Saturday against high flying Melton Town.