We all stand together: MR ASHOVER 40 YEARS

ASHOVER 2 WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE RES 5

CMA DIVISION TWO AT MILKEN LANE

21 SEPTEMBER 2024 --- 3PM

ASHOVER V WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE RES

Ashover manager Don Carline has entered his 40th season in management in a mini celebration day that included the welcoming of club sponsors and team photo too they just could not find the victory his efforts so deserve against a very good Wirksworth Ivanhoe side. The half time score line was level after a pulsating opening 45 minutes but in the second period the young guns from the Derbyshire Dales took command and in the end swept Ashover aside.

SPONSORS DAY WITH CAPTAIN AND MANAGER

With a cheeky taxi from base to ground arrival was early, 1.30pm, with the intention of a walk around the lovely village before the game. But of course Don was already there brand new nets in situ freshly purchased from his own pocket of course and there was time for a brief catch up before a checking of the scene for the team photograph on what was a very bright afternoon.

ASHOVER FC 24/25

Walk completed and after a visit to Anna's Tuck Shop in the village, a must for all walkers or visitors, arrival back at the ground still had an hour to go to the kick off.

Ashover had been kindly sponsored by two couples this season and as most people they appeared readily aware of the efforts Don puts in. It is not unfair to call him Mr Ashover since the age of 22 when his father fell ill he has managed the team and experienced some lovely highs through the varying leagues, Hope Valley, Midland Regional Alliance, Central Midlands League and now its newly named Central Midlands Alliance guise. The recent years have been more lean and its become a near one man operation and without him the village would not have a representative side, it remains a great shame more people do not amble down from the village to take 90 minutes of football in to support the side and of course Don's efforts.

REFEREE SYD ATWAL WITH DON CARLINE BEFORE THE GAME

With sponsors day photos done the team were super helpful in completing a proficient 24/25 team picture. Before the game having mentioned to Derby based referee Syd Atwal Don's achievement he asked if he could say a few words and before kick off he gathered round both sides with their permission and the crowd to express what a great achievement forty years in charge is and added to that the benefits of football bringing people and communities together. A great effort Syd well done!

DECLAN YOUNG GETS THE BALL AWAY

So after an almost TV build up to the game it was time for the action to commence and to be honest this was first 45 minutes was probably the most interesting football I had seen this season. With Ashover sat in a lowly position having conceded goals but also scored too it was set up for a tough encounter against high flying Ivanhoe. Having seen Ivanhoe's first team quite a few times and this season twice in the last month you know they will always be up for the game.

YOUNG RACES ON WITH THE BALL

It was a physical and battling first half with both sides giving no quarter two early efforts go just wide with cross goal efforts one for each side. It was looking as though the visitors would breakthrough but that didn't allow for Morgan Boyle who had a superb game and he would give Ashover the lead on 25 minutes when he got through on goal and converted past Eion Gent in the visitors goal. As Ashover gained more confidence from the goal just past the hour mark Joe Moss forced Gent into a save that he pushed away but Moss following up struck the ball goalwards only for the cross bar to intervene and as the ball fall away again Ashover had penalty appeals turned away as they had a player bundled over in the box.

JOE MOSS

Three minutes before the break it was somewhat of a shame for the underdogs to concede but probably only fair for Wirksworth's contribution to the first half. A throw of the left flicked over to the back post where Harley Taylor headed home.

MORGAN BOYLE GETS A SHOT IN

All square at the break and as Ashover drifted into their changing room the visitors remained pitch side and with the weather holding fine and non of the forecast heavy showers arriving I was feeling over prepared with big coat and umbrella.

The half started poorly for Ashover the visitors were awarded a free kick on he half way line and right on the left touchline in the 53rd minute. Defender Ben Paget launched a mighty kick to the far side of Mason Chapman's goal and agonisingly the keeper couldn't get to it as the ball dropped in just under the crossbar. There was a deflated feeling about the home side now who seemed to have had the wind taken out of them and Wirksworth would go on to take advantage of this perceived weakness.

HIGH BALL FOR MOSS TO CONTROL

Three further quick fire goals put this game well and truly to bed on 68 minutes as Ashover failed to clear their lines close in Tom Donavan punished them by driving the ball over the line. Two minutes later it was four as Ashover seemed now flat and right off the pace after that inspiring first half, Reece Marshall raced through to finish despite the best efforts of Chapman in goal who got a touch to the shot.

Then on 73 minutes the fifth Amazingly awarded a free kick in the same position as the second goal was scored from and audaciously Ben Paget tried the same again this time it didn't quite happen but it created enough chaos under the cross bar that allowed Donavan to pop home his second.

BOYLE RECEIVES THE CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE OPENING GOAL

There was time for the ever impressive Boyle to set up a second for Ashover with a superb central run weaving past the visiting defenders his shot from just inside the box deflected off one of the men in green and Moss slotted home.

Shortly afterwards referee Atwal brought and end to proceedings a stand out performance from an excellent Ivanhoe side who battled it out in the first half against a determined Ashover and took full advantage of their chances in the second period as Ashover drifted off the pace.

SOME THOUGHTS FROM MR CARLINE

Disappointing result for manager Carline and the Ashover side who had given so much to this game and they remain with just one solitary win but looking at the table their losses have been against mostly the top teams so far and if they can continue to replicate the first half performance the results will come they just have to stick at it.

You know for sure one man will, oh yes first their and guess who was last out, well done Don happy 40th.

[as ever a few more pictures than words so hopefully you will scroll down to take a look at just a few more]