Stockport Georgians 3 v 1 Ashville - Villa's struggles continue

The away side started the game impeccably, taking the lead after just three minutes after Connor Courtnell headed down to Peter Morgan in the area who lashed home on the turn. It was a brilliantly put together team move and Ashville deservedly led.

Both teams struggled to command the game on a boggy pitch with the ball unable to even bounce in many areas.

A couple of long range efforts for both sides was the best that could be mustered in the early exchanges before Georgians started a prolonged campaign of pressure on the Villa goal.

The next real effort of note came on 28 minutes when Lewis Moynes played a delightful lifted through ball in to Morgan, the Ashville forward had the angle against him but still forced James Hodges into a good save to prevent the away side doubling the lead.

Less than a minute later and Ashville were agonisingly close to a second goal. A fantastic cross from the right hand side fell nicely for Connor Courtnell at the back post but the stand in winger was under pressure and saw his poked effort go narrowly wide of the target.

In the 40th minute Villa were left furious after Ben Greenop was horse collared by a Georgians defender. The linesman, who was only a few yards away, flagged for an Ashville free kick. He was overruled by the match referee, giving the free kick to Georgians instead, despite the offence surely being an automatic red card.

Villa would hold onto their lead going into the break and were in good control of the game despite periods of Georgians pressure.

It would be a totally different Villa side that came out in the second half though. The personnel remained the same but the control that Ashville had in the first half soon turned into sloppy passes and poor defending.

It would only take Georgians eight minutes of the second half to equalise in controversial circumstances. A throw in was incorrectly awarded to the home side who took full advantage, a flowing team love being finished off with aplomb by Harry Lynn who smashed home from 16 yards.

Georgians then handed Villa a one-two combination just two minutes later as Adam Dahou beat Jake Hulley and slinked his way into a shooting position. The Stockport Georgians winger saw his shot take a wicked deflection taking it into the bottom corner.

Ten minutes later and there would be more controversy. A cross came in from the home side's right and was seemingly blocked by the chest of Courtnell but the referee awarded a penalty to Stockport Georgians for handball. Kyle Wych stepped up to take the penalty, slotting home by sending Lee Carr the wrong way.

It was at this stage the game started to spiral out of control as tempers began to flare.

Despite a healthy lead, Stockport Georgians went un-penalised for a collection of malicious challenges, sparking fury amongst the travelling players and staff.

Ashville would strike back with petty challenges of their own in revenge as the game temporarily turned into carnage. A few scuffles broke out but were swiftly broken up and both teams urged for calm from their players.

Once things had settled down again it was all Villa until the final whistle but the away side couldn't take advantage of the extended spell of possession and pressure, the only efforts coming from the edge of the box and failing to find the target.

The closest Ashville came was in the 88th minute when Shaun Parrington saw a mistimed header easily caught by Hodges.

Stockport Georgians would have one last chance to make it four, a clearance finding substitute, Calvin Harper, who beat the Ashville back line before pulling his shot just wide.

The final whistle then came to confirm the extension of Ashville's recent winless run. Villa are now winless in five despite a good start to the season.

They will be hoping to right recent wrongs on Tuesday night when they face rock bottom strugglers, New Mills, at Ray Parker Stadium. Kick off is 8pm with admission prices being £5 for adults and £2 concessions.