Villa Hit Droylsden For 6!

Can it be Ben Greenop's birthday every week?

That was the question jokingly posed by gaffer Gary Jones on the sidelines as birthday boy, Ben Greenop, slammed home a hat trick amongst goals from Joe Dulson, Max Williams and Shaun Parrington as Villa romped their way to their first three points of the season

Villa wasted little time getting on the score sheet, scoring the first of their six goals in the 6th minute after a long ball counter attack found the feet of Parrington. The new signing played left back last season for his former club although you wouldn't of known it with the expertise he showed to cut inside, beat his man and slot the ball nicely into the bottom corner.

The home team weren't resting on their laurels though and just five minutes later Villa had The Bloods backtracking once again. Maldon wriggling between midfielders before being taken down unlawfully. Sadly this would be the midfield maestro's last contribution as the gash he sustained on his knee during the challenge resulted in an early sub as he was replaced by Wilson.

Confidence was clearly high for breakthrough left back, Max Williams, as he made it two rather brilliant free kicks in two games. This one coming from a central right position 25 yards out. The defender curling it brilliantly into the back of the net with some assistance from the post.

From this point on Villa we're all over The Bloods like sharks, a relentless press executed perfectly. The next opportunity of note came just 18 minutes in as Peter Morgan terrorised the Droylsden right back before crossing the ball to Greenop who trapped the ball, spun and fired a shot on goal, his effort going millimetres wide.

The Bloods finally got a footing in the game and started asking questions of the Villa back line, they nearly found the answer they were looking for. The Droylsden left winger cutting inside and knuckle balling a superb effort towards goal, bringing out an equally exceptional fingertip save from Dixon onto the bar.

Droylsden made a breakthrough on the half hour mark though with a deep free kick finding the head of West in the area who put his header past Dixon to bring The Bloods right back into the game

Villa were wounded but not beaten and restored the two goal lead just 4 minutes later as birthday boy Ben Greenop got on the scoresheet for the first time on the night and wow was it special! The talismanic striker received the ball 25 yards out with his back to goal and surrounded by three Droylsden defenders. Greenop turned the three defenders inside and out before leaving them for dust as he marched down on goal. You need a bit of luck in football and luck was certainly with Ben here as his powerful effort was aimed straight at the keeper who parried the ball up in the air, it dropped into the net with a little bit of extra assistance from Greenop to get it over the line

So 3-1 it was at the break but it only took Ashville 7 minutes to get on the scoresheet in the second half and it was the birthday boy once again. Parrington chased what looked like a lost ball, kept it in play, turned the left back inside out and whipped a great cross onto the head of Greenop who's powerful header flew into the roof of the net, the keeper left with no chance at all

Just three minutes later and we almost had a carbon copy, this time Parrington's cross found the head of Tom Davies who headed the ball agonisingly wide, indeed from my perspective it looked like it had gone in it was that close. The reaction of the Droylsden fans behind the goal ending my elation in an instant

Ten minutes later and Droylsden nearly nabbed a second. A well rehearsed corner routine saw a low cross into the near post met with a glancing poke that popped just over the far corner

With 67 minutes on the clock Greenop turned provider as some wizardry wing play from the red hot striker got him past the left back before he fizzed a low cross into the near post where it was met by youngster Joe Dulson who bundled the ball home just two minutes after coming on as a sub

The roles were flipped on 83 minutes as Dulson left the Droylsden left back for dead with his pace before firing a cross into Greenop who duly obliged to score his hat-trick with a tap in at the near post. A very happy birthday indeed for Villa's number 10

Speaking after the game, Gary Jones was beaming as he heaped praise on the teams performance; "The Players deserve all the credit in the world". The former EFL stalwart added "The work rate, the closing down, determination, desire and a ruthlessness in front of goal". On the performance of the birthday boy, Ben Greenop, the gaffer said "We've seen tonight when he's in that kind of form; not just his goals but his work rate, his closing down, running the channels, it's brilliant to see". The manager was also provided an update on the seriousness of Josh Maldon's injury; "He got a really bad gash on his knee and went straight to hospital, we really hope he'll be okay it looks like he will be out for a really long time and we wish him all the best".

You can next catch Ashville in action at home this Saturday when last season's play off contenders, Sandbach visit the Ray Parker Stadium. Tickets can be bought in advance online on the club website under the club shop tab.

Ashville 6-1 Droylsden

NWCFL First Division South Matchday 2

Ray Parker Stadium

Villa scorers: Parrington, Dulson, Williams, Greenop x3

Droylsden scorer: West

Attendance: 189

POTM: Ben Greenop