Herewith the latest news from around the club.
First team squad movements
Ahead of the postponed league match at Stourbridge yesterday, two new additions were made to the first team squad.
First, we welcome Ben Mensah. Ben is a 20 year old full back and a former Peterborough United youngster, having signed a professional contract at London Road in 2020. However, he was released by Posh this summer.
We also welcome Sam Tessler. Sam is a centre back who grew up in the USA playing for LA Galaxy and Pateadores Academy and represented the USA in Israel’s Maccabi Games in 2022. Sam played against the Ives in last seasons Hunts FA Senior Cup Final being a major influence in ensuring Yaxley kept a clean sheet in that game. This season he has been a regular with Northern Premier League East side Grantham Town.
Leaving the club is Fernando Bell-Toxtle who has joined Bedford Town. Fernando joined from Royston in the summer, but has seen his appearances restricted in recent times and we wish him well at his new club.
Next first team fixture
A reminder that the Ives are in action on Tuesday when they head to Coalville. Kick-off is at 7:45pm.
Victory for the Reserves
Despite the heavy rain on Friday night and early Saturday, the reserves managed to play at Godmanchester Reserves in a county cup tie and came away with an excellent 4-0 victory. The Ives opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes with a goal from James Webb. Man of the match, Billy Chambers got the second with a chipped long range effort. Thomas Wakely slotted home the third and Lewis Dumont completed the scoring with a long range half volley that found the top corner.
Weekend youth fixtures
Some of our youth teams had football action this weekend. The headlines go to the under 14’s who secured a remarkable 21-0 victory in a county cup fixture against Gransden. Details of all the goal scorers to be announced in due course! Elsewhere, the under 13’s lost 6-1 in a County Youth Cup fixture at Peterborough RTC. But better news for the under 15’s who won 5-0 at home to Soham and there was another win too for the under 16’s who won 5-3 at home to previously unbeaten Tring.
Victory for the Ladies second team
The Ladies second team were in match action on Sunday and recorded a convincing victory as they recorded a fantastic 9-0 victory at Swavesey Spartans. The result moves the Ives up to ninth in the table.
Monday night football for under 18’s
The under 18’s host Cambridge City under 18’s in a league fixture on Monday night at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road. Kick-off is at 7:45pm.
Halesowen fixture
A reminder that the first team are in home league action this Saturday when they host Halesowen Town. As this is remembrance weekend, we will be observing a minutes silence before kick-off this will be preceded by a wreath being laid and a bugle player. Representatives from our youth and ladies teams will also be present at the fixture.
FA Trophy second round
A reminder that the Ives have been drawn away to Aveley in the second round of the Isuzu FA Trophy. The tie will be played on Saturday 18 November. The club is considering organising travel to the game for supporters. More details on whether this will go ahead will be announced in due course.
And Finally….
A reminder that the Christmas Draw was launched at the last home game. It’s £1.00 a square with a number of prizes on offer. You can buy as many squares are you want from the clubhouse and the draw takes place at the Kettering game on Boxing Day. You can also purchase your tickets for the New Years Eve party and disco. These are priced at £5.00 and you can get yours from Gareth Chapman or Marc Walker on a matchday.