Eccleshall 0 v 1 Vauxhall Motors
A first half injury time strike from winger Michael Burkey steered the Motormen to a hard-earned league success at Eccleshall on Wednesday evening, their eighth win on the bounce.
The hosts could have leapfrogged Vauxhall into second place in the table had they managed to win this game, but in the end the best side triumphed in this tight fixture. Indeed, during the opening 25 minutes, Motors keeper Ryan Crump was undoubtedly the busier of the two custodians without being seriously tested, while Tom Mitchell went close at the other end with a header following a corner.
Glenn Rule then forced a fine save out of Louis McCarthy direct from a free kick before Burkey struck, what turned out to be the winning goal. A long throw from Andy Gardner to the near post was partially cleared but feel nicely for Burkey to drive home from 15 yards, despite the home keeper getting a hand to the effort, for his fifth goal of the campaign.
On the resumption, Motors piled on the pressure. Joe Heath saw his header saved and Burkey twice had on-target shots saved by McCarthy but they were unable to put the game to bed. The Eagles kept plugging away but were well off target with their efforts on goal – as Mick McGraa’s side closed the gap on leaders FC Oswestry at the top of the table.
Vauxhall: Crump, Scarisbrick, Drummond, Gardner, Mitchell, Heath, Brandon, Rule (Willingham 69), Noon (Cox 72), Cooper, Burkey (Carlin 89). Subs not used: Cross & Mason.
This Saturday the Motormen are back in Cup action away to Premier Division hot-shots Longridge Town in the Macron Cup 2nd round. Last season, Motors won an F. A. Vase tie at The Mike Riding Ground 3-1 and reached this stage by defeating Avro 6-0 away last month, who are also from the top NWCFL division, in what was Vauxhall’s best display of the season to date.