Ashby Ivanhoe 4 Belper United 1

A clinical first half performance brought an end to Ashby's recent struggles as Belper were put to the sword.

It was the second time this season that they have scored four against these opponents after their FA Vase victory in October.

Despite several threatening attacks early in the match from the visitors, it was Ivanhoe who took the early lead. Chris Acott poking into the corner inside the box after seeing the ball fall perfectly at his feet.

After having a huge chance to equalise just after the halfway point in the half, as Jack Robinson cleared a cross bound for a tap in, Belper imploded - with the game all but out of sight in a matter of moments.

In a similar finish to Acott's goal, Will Groocock doubled the lead as Belper allowed too much time for the shot, and once again Alfie Roberts was only able to watch as the low shot found the corner via the post.

Barely a moment later the game was put almost out of sight as Roberts brought down Sam Grouse in the penalty area almost immediately after the restart. On this occasion Grouse put his recent pair of misses from the spot behind him to fire into the right-hand corner.

With seven minutes to play in the first half, Grouse doubled his total for the game. James Harrison started a blistering counter attack down the right flank, played a quick one two before bombing down the touchline, cutting inside and squaring to Ashby's top scorer who swept home from close range

advertisement

For Belper, the second half could not have been worse than the first, and to their credit they fought well and got a goal back soon after the restart as Mason Booth-Davis beat Sam Taylor to the ball and lifted it over him into the far corner.

Knowing a solid defensive performance would carry them safely over the line for the remaining 40 minutes, Ivanhoe allowed Belper very few sights of goal.

The closest either side came to another goal was when Ash Garner punted the ball forwards in an attempted clearance. The 3G pitch almost took the bouncing ball over Roberts who was forced to backpedal and turn it over.

The only negative on what was a good night for Ashby was when Will Mansfield was forced off with a serious looking Achilles injury. The full back has been an outstanding addition to Andy Gray's squad this season and they will be hoping that it is not as serious as it initially looked.

Gray's side are back in action on Tuesday night as they host AFC Mansfield, a side they have beaten twice this season without conceding a goal.