Ashville bounced back from Monday’s agonising loss to Stafford Town with a stubborn victory away at Stockport Georgians
The away side may of lost on Monday but the camp was buzzing with positivity following the announcement of Lewis Willingham’s return from Vauxhall Motors at the back end of the week.
It was Georgians who had the better first half however, with the home side marginally on top for the first 45. An early save of the season contender prevented Georgians from taking the lead inside 5 minutes. The home side broke down the right flank before a low cross into the back post was diverted towards goal from 4 yards out but was stopped by an unbelievable reflex save from Jamie Owen in the Villa goal.
Ashville responded with their own nearly moment just a few minutes later. Junior Siyakhowla’s blocked shot getting some air time before Lewis Moynes headed Mark Madden in behind. The Villa striker beat the goalkeeper but saw his effort scrambled off the line as Junior closed in to tap it home.
Georgians did eventually take the lead 10 minutes later through McFayden. The forward exchanged a one-two on the edge of the area before muscling Adam Sunners off the ball and poking home past Jamie Owen from a tight angle.
A very competitive game saw both sides nullify each other down to half chances. The best of these coming 10 minutes before half time when Joel Kelly saw his looping header go just over the bar from a Connor Courtnell corner.
Georgians almost doubled their lead almost immediately after, a curling effort left Owen watching with hope as it whistled over the bar.
The second half was less than 10 minutes old when the debutant Willingham drew Villa level. Another excellent Courtnell corner was too good for the Georgians keeper who came out to catch it and missed completely, leaving the ball to fall beautifully for Willingham to head home at the back post.
Momentum had well and truly swung Ashville’s way after the goal and just 2 minutes later Mark Madden saw a second attempt cleared off the line from a corner.
With just over 20 minutes to go Ashville spun the game on its head as Tom Hewlett gave the away side the lead. Hewlett made amends for missing a glorious opportunity on Monday by poking the ball home at the back post after some good reactionary play from Lennox Allward who pinched the ball on the edge of the area, slid it across the box via a slight touch by Madden and ended with desire by Hewlett.
The lead almost didn’t last a whole 2 minutes though. Georgians proving the old saying true, that you’re at your most vulnerable when you’ve just scored, by racing up the pitch and an effort from a tight angle was cleared off the line by Shaun Farrall who returned to the starting lineup after picking up a slight niggle against Shawbury last weekend.
Tom Hewlett then saw two chances come his way in less than a minute. Two low edge of the area drives which both went straight down the middle to the keeper but it was a sign of improvement from Ashville who were just beginning to dominate.
With 10 minutes left on the clock Ashville nearly made it 3 when Lennox Allward was beaten to a guaranteed tap in at the back post right at the last second by a retreating Georgians defender.
Villa saw the game out expertly to bounce back with three points, another away win and hold on to 5th place in the NWCFL First Division South after 11 games. Ashville sit only two points off 2nd placed New Mills and only four points off the league leaders Stafford Town. This weekend Ashville welcome Abbey Hulton United to Ray Parker Stadium in a 3pm kick off.
