Ashville Progress In Macron Cup
A dogged second half performance sees Ashville progress into the second round of the Macron Cup.
Ashville travelled to Manchester for the second Monday running to take on league rivals, Maine Road, in the Macron Cup.
Villa started brightly with Toby Jones nearly getting on the scoresheet within a minute. The defender turned forward made room for a shot before firing a deflected shot into the arms of Betton.
Maine Road almost immediately responded when Belattar beat the offside trap but couldn't beat Dixon one on one.
Chances for Maldon and Parrington came and went before the half time interval. It was an even first half but that was all about to change.
Goalkeeper, Michael Dixon had to come off at half time due to illness and with no named keeper in the bench, Danny Hardman stepped up and donned the gloves for Villa.
Two minutes into the second half Tom Davies squirmed his way across the box before firing a shot on goal which nearly wrong footed Betton, the Maine Road keeper getting down superbly to keep the scores level.
The scoreline would remain level until 53 minutes. Dulson whipped a powerful shot against the post, the ball fell to Davies who saw his effort saved but Betton wouldn't get lucky a third time as his parry fell to Parrington who smashed the ball home to give Ashville the lead.
67 minutes on the clock and Hardman had his first real test as a long range drive came towards the Villa goal, the makeshift keeper producing a very good parried save to keep Villa in the lead.
Ashville wrapped the game up 9 minutes from time when Maldon's whipped free kick was parried into his own net by Betton.
Before the final whistle there would be one last moment of drama as Maine Road captain, Abdi Addow, was sent off for kicking out at Toby Jones in an off the ball incident.
Ashville now progress into the Macron Cup second round, meaning the Wallasey club are still fighting for silverware on five fronts.
This weekend sees Villa host Glasshoughton Welfare in the Isuzu FA Vase first round as the club look to take another step towards silverware and a dream day out at Wembley.
Saturday's game kicks off at 3pm at Ray Parker Stadium and advance tickets can be bought online now on the clubs website