IVANHOE AND SAUNDERS SECURE VICTORY AT LEES LANE

SOUTH NORMANTON ATH 1 V ASHBY IVANHOE 2
EAST MIDLANDS COUNTIES 26 FEB 2015----7.45pm

THE THREE MUSKETEERS, MICK, NEIL AND STEVE IN PRE MATCH CONVERSATION

Ivanhoe secured a well bossed victory in Derbyshire by controlling this game from start to finish, even a late goal from The Shiners could not see them mount a much expected late surge for an equaliser.
South Normanton's ground has been described in an earlier blog this season needless to say it always looks nice and bright when you arrive at pitch side after you have got through the darkness of the approach to the turnstile.
Sadly tonight's game had no programme issued for it and as usual a few of us hoppers were disappointed.  Certainly when the Lees Lane programme has become such a good addition to a visit to South Normanton this season with a good read normally forthcoming.
The plus side was that on arrival non league aficionados Neil and Steve were in attendance and there was a superb catch up with travel tips and club information, is there anywhere these two guys have not been?  Its always good to swap stories of travels and there were some crackers tonight, cheers guys.

A WET SECOND HALF VIEW

Tonights game was one I never really got into and for me it failed to raise too much interest and as the driving rain started just before half time and continued to the end of the game it did little to improve my mood.

The first half had seen the most blatant penalty you will ever see denied by the referee the home keeper pulling and wrestling the Ashby player to the floor after 13 minutes.  There seemed not to be one person in the ground who did not think this was a penalty, even the Shiners supporters around me could not believe it.  Sth Normanton went on to hit the bar but it was Ashby who took the lead into half time following a deflective headed own goal.

A BREAK IN PLAY

The visitors extended the lead on 54 minutes in an amazing move that saw two long range efforts from Ashbys number 11 strike the woodwork the first off the bar the second off the right hand upright as the passage of play moved on Chris Saunders hit a vicious effort from 18 yards that went in, amazingly off the underside of the bar!
On 84 minutes South Normanton looked to have created a way back into the game when a super goal by the home side 11 saw him weave past 3 players before slotting home a low drive into the far left of the goal.  The fight back did not come though as the visitors held on to secure the hard earned three points.
I really must visit South Normanton on a warm day to watch a game!