2022 – A Review
By Ethan Hoijord
As we approach the New Year, it is good to look back on what we have achieved, either personally or as a collective.
For Vauxhall Motors, the Motormen, there is plenty to look back on – including a Cheshire Senior Cup Final and a place at the top of the North West Counties Premier Division Table on Christmas Day.
As well as this, our Youth Teams have been doing well – with our U18s, now U21s, winning a treble in June, and the formation of new girls and further youth teams.
In the section, 2022 – A Review, we look back at Vauxhall Motors’ best 5 games this year.
Game 1 – Tranmere Rovers 0-2 Vauxhall Motors
Mick McGraa’s Motors beat a talented young Tranmere side at Prenton Park in January to progress through to the Cheshire Senior Cup Semi-Final on a cold night in February.
In the opening minute, Michael Burkey picked up the ball on the left before cutting inside and driving the ball past Rovers keeper, Mateusz Hewelt.
The visitors were presented with further chances when Craig Cairns latched on to Dylan Dwyer’s short back pass, however a good save from the goalkeeper denied Motors from doubling their lead.
Haydn Cooper did double the lead though in the 55th minute, as a goalmouth scramble fell to the midfielder who tucked away the winner against his boyhood club – an evening to remember for Haydn and for Vauxhall Motors.
Game 2 – Avro 0-1 Vauxhall Motors
There was plenty of aggro at Avro, but the Motormen returned to Ellesmere Port with a valuable three points, maintaining a good run of form. Greg Drummond scored the decisive goal from 25 yards out. However, the main story of the day was arguably Simon Thelwell’s fantastic goalkeeping performance as Damien Eastham was sent off at half-time for pushing an Avro player. He kept a vital clean sheet with two good saves as Motors climbed to seventh in the league table.
Game 3 – Stockport County 5-0 Vauxhall Motors
As Vauxhall progressed to the Cheshire Cup final, played at Stockport County’s Edgeley Park for the first time since 1953, they were beaten by strong opposition. Alex Ried netted for County first, as his shot deflected from Ben Holmes before beating Ciaran O’Loughlin. Dave Challinor fielded a mixture of youngsters and senior players. The hosts struck 4 times in the
Second Half, with Jennings, Newby and Duffus all on the score sheet. A day to remember for the club.
Game 4 – Vauxhall Motors 2-0 Kendal Town
Vauxhall started the 22-23 season with a 2-0 victory at home to Kendal Town. New signing, Lewis Buckley, struck in the 18th minute before Ethan Gouldbourne added a second in the 63rd minute. After the game, Motors Manager, Mick McGraa said: ‘We are buzzing. I thought we were really good, excellent on the ball and we scored 2 really good goals. And we’ve had nothing in the past like striker, Lewis Buckley – he’s an animal – big, strong and physical.”
Game 5 – Vauxhall Motors 3-2 Winsford United
Vauxhall extended their winning run to six with an unbelievable comeback at the VanEupen Arena. The game started in mixed fashion where United went 2 up through a Daniel Boden brace. McGraa’s side displayed their strength to come back in the match, Lewis Buckley netting the first in the 72nd minute before Bobbie McDonnell added the equaliser 10 minutes later. Buckley drove into the box in the 93rd minute before setting up Michael
Burkey, curling his effort into the back post perfectly past Reid. It was a night to remember in Ellesmere Port.
Since the game against Winsford, Vauxhall have played 20, won 12 and at the time of
writing are top of the Premier Division table.
Here’s to 2023!