VAUXHALL MOTORS  3 v 1 CHEADLE HEATH NOMADS

Motors move to within one point of the top!

Mick McGraa’s side secured their fourth straight win this month, to climb within one point of the top of the Hallmark Security League table, albeit having played more games than the sides around them. And the victory enabled them to gain revenge for an early season loss over in Stockport.

The Motormen got off to a decent start opening the scoring after tem minutes from the penalty spot.  Joe Brandon was adjudged to have been fouled outside the area, but a quickly taken free kick, saw Karl Noon felled inside the box, which Dave Webb calmly tucked away, sending the keeper the wrong way from twelve yards. The hosts ought to have added to that early score but wasted a couple of really good opportunities.  First Haydn Cooper blocked a clearance by the keeper Aaron Tyrer only for the goalie to make amends by blocking his shot with his legs.  Shortly after Noon volleyed over from close in when it seemed easier to score.

The visitors grew in confidence as the first half wore on and both Rich Tindall and Kieran Herbert drew saves from home stopper Kristofer Leigh before the break. Motors had another great chance to edge further ahead on 57 minutes, when a fine move which started with Tom Mitchell’s fine downfield pass to Ben Holmes, saw the wide man cut inside from the left but his pass was just a tad too heavy for Brandon to steer home at the far post.

And just five minutes later, Nomads drew level, when a free kick on the right was headed home by Isaac Graham.  This stunned Motors back into action and within five more minutes, they were 3-1 up. From a right-sided corner by Holmes, the ball fell inviting for Webb to steer Motors back in front from close range and very soon after Matty Carlin turned home another free kick from the right into the bottom corner and well beyond the reach of Tyrer, to clinch another crucial league win.

Unfortunately, Motors now have to wait three weeks before their next league fixture in the HSL Division One South, as the teams around play catch up with some of their matches.

Vauxhall:  Leigh, Mason (Quinn 75), Drummond, Carlin, Mitchell, Heath, Brandon, Cooper (Willingham 69), Noon (Hamm 66), Webb, Holmes.  Sub not used:  Thomas, Hassall.