West Didsbury and Chorlton 0 Vauxhall Motors 2
NWCFL Premier Division
Saturday 22nd April 2023
Step Places Stadium
By Ethan Hoijord
Photo by Marc Gibbs
Vauxhall Motors beat West Didsbury and Chorlton 2-0, in their last game of a NWCFL Premier Division winning season on Saturday afternoon.
The Motormen struck quickly through Ben Dufton-Kelly as the defender, who was up front for the first half, found the net in the first minute.
Overall, it was a close contest. However, Simon Thelwell ensured that Mick McGraa’s team returned to Ellesmere Port with all three points as he rifled a penalty into the net late on.
McGraa had stated, after last weekend’s win against Avro, how his side had a great number of absentees through injuries thus it was a great advantage that players such as Adam Hughes and Michael Burkey were available for selection.
The Motors got off to a brilliant start as Ben Dufton-Kelly edged his side into the lead in the first minute. A long ball was headed out by the West defence to him and he struck it into the far corner.
After five minutes of heavy Vauxhall pressure, West started to get more success going forward with another blocked chance on goal as JJ was looking lively.
A Vauxhall corner resulted in a pinball inside the box, Mick McGraa’s team were close to finding the second but the ball was cleared out.
McGraa made five changes at half time, amongst these: goalscorer Dufton-Kelly and defensive duo Ethan Gouldbourne and Adam Hughes were replaced and on came Jake Parker, Simon Thelwell and Liam Turner.
However, there was a slow start to the second half.
West were playing well, putting up a good fight as a long ball from the defence to Max Lewens on the left was collected nicely. Lewens cut inside, into the box, rode a tackle and worked Sam Booth at the near post.
With twenty minutes left to play, there was a big penalty claim by the hosts dismissed. A nice pass was sent through the Vauxhall backline to Zeke, the tricky forward bundled over near the penalty spot but nothing was given.
The referee did point to the spot at the other end and Simon Thelwell made no mistake as his effort rifled past keeper Andrew Jones to seal all three points.
Vauxhall Motors will be playing in the Northern Premier League Division One West in their next campaign. Get yourself down to The VanEupen Arena for what should be another great season!
TEAMS:
Vauxhall Motors, managed by Mick McGraa: Sam Booth, Ethan Gouldbourne (45’), Adam Hughes (45’), Marcus James, Thomas Mitchell, Ben Holmes (45’), Michael Burkey, Joseph Holt (45’), Ben Dufton-Kelly (45’), Jordan Deer, Conor Harwood. SUBS: Liam Turner (45’), Matthew Beaman (45’), Sean Moscrop (45’), Jake Parker (45’), Simon Thelwell (45’).
West Didsbury and Chorlton, managed by Chris Rowley: Andrew Jones, Callum Graham, Matthew Smyth, Laurence Taylor, Ben Hampson (34’), Markell Foulds, Max Lewens (63’), Jack Ryan, Liam Delaney, Jean-Jacques Kirongozi, Ezekiel Eme. SUBS: Luke Vayro (34’), Daniel Billington-Boateng (85’), Benjamin Elliott, Billy Matthews (63’), George Kattah (85’).
Referee: Jacob Burton. Assistants: David Hanks and Matthew Robson.