This Weekend sees Ashville FC travel away to West Kirby in the third round of the Cheshire Amateur Cup. Last season Ashville defied the odds by becoming the first team from a second division to win the prestigious competition. Ashville faced West Kirby in last year’s semi final, with the result being 3-0 to the Villa.
Round 3
39 26/11/11 13:30 Knutsford vs Old Altrinchamians
42 26/11/11 13:30 West Kirby vs Ashville
Quarter Final
44 07/01/12 13:30 Chester Nomads vs Willaston
45 07/01/12 13:30 Dukinfield Town vs Cammell Laird
46 07/01/12 13:30 Winner of Match 39 vs Winner of Match 42
47 07/01/12 13:30 Heswall vs Linotype - Cheadle H.N.
If Ashville get through, they face the possibility of re-facing last year’s finalists Old Alts, which Ashville won.
Saturday’s game is scheduled for a 13:30 kick off at West Kirby’s ground and there will be an expected gate fee.
Staveley MW FC made the long trek across country to Wallasey in Merseyside to face West Cheshire Division 1 league leaders Ashville FC in the 2nd round of the FA Vase and 128 clubs were looking to get into the last 64 and Monday's draw. Ashville who won division 2 last season and have started really well in their attempts to be considered for North West Counties football next season, Ashville were full of enthusiasm for the tie. Adopting a 3-5-2 formation, Staveley were under pressure from the start of the game as they lost the ball immediately from the kick off conceding a free kick within 5 seconds, a sign of things to come perhaps?
The home crowd of 120 looked on in anticipation as Ashville looked for an early advantage with an immediate cross into the Staveley area, but Richie Paterson mopped up the danger with an early calm headed back pass but, another needless foul by Staveley enabled Ashville to break down their right and Steve Connor got the first strike in on goal which Ian Deakin collected comfortably.
Chris Fawcus was being kept busy down the left as Ashville looked to be getting down the side of the Staveley back three.
Staveley's midfield were giving the ball away far too cheaply and a gift of pass let in Kevin Bimpson, but his effort was wide of the post. Sloppy by Staveley to say the least with Manager Billy Fox shouting "We need to turn up boys!".
As it looked, the team in orange thought the hard work done on Tuesday would mean a simple victory, a thought process far from the truth as Ashville were giving their all in the first 20 minutes,
On 22 minutes, Ian Deakin kept Ashville out when a left wing cross found Steve Connor but his effort was superbly tipped over for the first corner of the game.
On 27 minutes, Chris Barrow was played through and one on one, he shot wide of an advancing Ian Deakin as Ashville spurned their best chance of the game so far.
The home side under little pressure but they were able to look dangerous on the break and forced their second corner of the game on 33 minutes but on 37 minutes, Staveley opened Ashville up.
Richard Patterson nicked the ball away from Craig Griffiths, slipped the ball to Joel Birks who played it out wide to Jordan Eagers, Eagers cut inside and played in into the feet of Chris Coy who, with his back to goal, turned Lee Bridge who tripped the Staveley striker as he was about to hone in on goal and a penalty was the outcome.
Ryan Damms stepped up and slotted home his 15th goal of the season and his 3rd penalty in the last 4 games.
A minute later Ashville were 2-0 down. After a mad three minutes A minute later and it could have been game set and match!
Ryan Damms came short and sent the ball down the channel for Jordan Eagers to chase but a back pass by Lee Hammond came up short, Chris Coy nicked the ball around Aiden Dickenson and sent the ball across to Jordan Eagers but somehow Dickenson managed to get back in to make a terrific stop.
Ian Deakin had a couple of crosses to deal with then and Michael Staley was cautioned for a foul on Steve Connor who was heading straight on goal and lucky not to see a red card, .
The first half finished with Staveley going in 2-0 up. Staveley, now facing into the wind, went back to a 4-4-2 with Joel Birks dropping into left back. The game had a definite pattern, Ashville were piling forward but were running into a well organised Staveley defensive back line (or the assistant referee's offside flag) bringing their attacks to an abrupt halt and Staveley were trying to pick the hosts off with several lightening quick breaks with the home side well aware of their happenings That third goal for Staveley never came - but a goal did come for Ashville on 77 minutes.
As the ball was cleared by Staveley, some 30-yards from goal Kevin Bimpson unleashed a full on volley that was simply a fantastic strike that gave Ian Deakin no chance as the ball was up and down into the net in a flash.
Game on!
It was now all hands to the pumps as Ashville piled forward, launching a series of crosses and long balls into the heart of the Staveley defence but, credit to the back line and keeper, they kept Ashville at bay and held on for the win.
They have made the progression into the last 64 of the FA Vase.
Nice one 
