Ashville fell to a second defeat in a row after an eventful clash against Foley Meir at Ray Parker Stadium.

A very even first half saw few chances, Tom Hewlett saw two long range strikes end up in the hands of Walklate before the visitors were awarded a penalty after 20 minutes. Ben Hewitt stepped up for the visitors only to see his powerful effort crash off the underside of the bar before being booted clear. 

The game soon became scrappy as tempers started to flare. This killed any momentum either side had built up to that point but thankfully cooler heads prevailed before things spilled over. 

As half time approached Villa saw a fantastic double save on the goal line prevent them from opening the scoring but it wasn’t to last long. 

Ashville drew first blood thanks to a goal from Joel Kelly, the midfielder taking advantage of a loose ball in the Foley box by volleying home from 8 yards out on the stroke of half time.

Ashville didn’t waste any time in the second half, another golden opportunity just three minutes after the interval saw an effort saved before the follow up was put over the bar.

Foley Meir responded with a cheeky attempt of their own as Finlay Pattison tried chipping Jack Reynolds in the Ashville goal only to see his effort come off the bar.

Pattison would have comeuppance just a minute later however, Adam Sunners was dispossessed just outside his own area before the cross found the head of Pattison who headed home from a free header on the penalty spot.

Just three minutes later and Ashville were back in front. Sunners passing a quick free kick into the feet of substitute, Lennox Allward, who got around his marker before putting in an inviting cross which was expertly headed home by Joel Kelly for his second of the game.

The game had well and truly opened up by this point and this was exemplified when the visitors raced straight up the other end. A cross from the right found an open man in the middle but the effort was put narrowly wide.

With 65 minutes on the clock Ashville were desperate to increase their advantage. Peter Morgan was the latest to have a go, picking the ball up centrally before seeing an excellent long shot saved by Walklate.

Villa scuffed the resulting corner and in a flash the scores were level again. Foley taking advantage of the Ashville players collective lapse in concentration, racing down the right hand side where the ball was played into Pattison once again who scuffed his shot past Reynolds and into the bottom corner.

With a little under 20 minutes to go and the scoreline had changed again as Ashville took the lead for the third time in the game. A corner from the right hand side was allowed to drop in the box where it was bundled home by debutant, Matty Henderson. 

Tempers flared once again with 15 minutes to go when a scrappy exchange by the near touch line between Kasey Smith and Ben Hewitt resulted in the Ashville player being hit in the face whilst on the ground, nearly sparking a brawl. Hewitt was duly sent off for his indiscretion which left the visitors down to 10. 

As the old saying goes, it’s harder to play against ten than it is 11. Ashville certainly proved that saying correct as they struggled against a resurgent and vengeful Foley Meir side and it wasn’t long before the 10 were back on level terms. A corner headed home from 14 yards by Keilahn Annikey with 8 minutes to go.

And less than two minutes later the visitors completed the most unlikely of comebacks when Pattison was judged to of been fouled in the box, giving Foley Meir their second penalty of the game. Up stepped the debutant Pattison, sending Jack Reynolds the wrong way to complete his sides comeback and his debut hat trick with just four minutes left on the clock.

There was still time for more drama as Foley Meir would end the game with 9 men when they had a defender sin binned in added time for dissent towards the assistant referee. Ashville had a couple of set pieces but a lack of quality meant they would end the game as the losing side. 

Ashville won’t have long to lift themselves back up as they travel to Cheadle Heath Nomads on Monday night looking to get back to winning ways.