Newark and Sherwood United lose 2-0 against Ashby Ivanhoe in the United Counties League Premier Division North competition
It was another tough day at the office for Newark and Sherwood United as the side lost 2-0 to Ashby Ivanhoe in the United Counties League Premier Division North competition.
Jon D'Laryea's side welcomed the opposition to Station Road Collingham after an earlier scheduled match at Ashby failed to go ahead because of poor weather.
The Highwaymen were due to travel away to the opposition on the previous Tuesday (January 23) but this fell through after a failed pitch inspection.
This fixture would have seen two league matches contested between the clubs in less than four days but instead, Saturday turned out to be the first cab off the rank.
On paper, Newark and Sherwood looked like they were fielding a strong team.
Luke White was back from Loughborough Dynamo and joined Liam Moran, Tom Jones, and Kian Sketchley in attack.
Kacper Ratjer and Ross Woolley both returned after missing the 3-1 AFC Mansfield defeat.
Kareem Abouraia who scored the sole goal for United at Mansfield was on the bench alongside Ainsley Finney, Toby White, and Louie Jarvis.
The quality on the bench indicated a good depth of players for The Highwaymen and they were eagerly looking for victory against a side that has recently struggled.
Ashby were promoted to United Counties League's step-five competition this season by winning the play-offs in the Midland Football League Division One.
Before the game started, Ashby were only one spot and two points ahead of United in the table.
Ashby had failed to achieve a single win in four games before arriving at Station Road.
The Highwaymen have also toiled lately but earned solid victories against Boston Town and Melton Town within their last six fixtures.
The Green Football Weekend fixture saw The Highwaymen's players march onto the field sporting green armbands.
Optimism was high as the first whistle blew.
The visitors were in the Midland Football League the last time they went up against The Highwaymen in October 2022.
That match which was also played at Station Road saw Newark and Sherwood achieve a dominant 3-0 win in the FA Vase first round.
However, it would be a different outcome for Ashby as they left on the team bus victorious.
A tight contest in the first-half saw both teams come off the field at the break, goalless.
There weren't a lot of opportunities for either side with the first-half being a challenging affair.
Both sides came out of the tunnel eager to put points on the board.
Newly appointed captain for the visitors, Sam Grouse, in his first ever match as the team's leader on the field stepped up for The Knights.
Grouse put the home side on the back foot as he opened the scoring in the 68th minute.
D'Laryea made several changes from the bench to try and get his side back into the contest but Ashby continued to pressure the host's goal.
Grouse scored again seven minutes later to pick up his brace.
He put his side ahead 2-0 as he again beat Woolley by putting the ball low into the corner of the net.
The hosts fought back and tried to create opportunities to stage a comeback but the visitor's robust defence managed to hold out.
A disappointed home side came off the field suffering their third defeat in a row.
The Highwaymen will now have two chances to avenge their defeat as they will play the rescheduled league game at a date to be determined.
They will also meet Ashby Ivanhoe at their home ground in Leicestershire on February 17 for the next round of the Knockout Cup.
"It was a tough defeat to take," said fullback and man-of-the-match Ryley Thompson.
"They were definitely stronger in the second-half and obviously their striker scored two.
"We have to work hard in training and go again against Wisbech."
The Highwaymen will now travel to Wisbech Town for their match on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
