Barnton 1 v 4 Vauxhall Motors
Ben Holmes, making his comeback appearance after injury, stole the show by scoring two fine goals and setting up another for Ryan Cox, to steer Mick McGraa’s side close to promotion, as they recorded their 19th consecutive away win at Barnton on Saturday.
The game was only 12 minutes old, when Holmes fired the visitors in front with a fine finish into the bottom right hand corner from a perfect pass from the left from Karl Noon. And they doubled their lead on 24 minutes, when a superb move from right to left involving Danny Cross, Haydn Cooper and Holmes set up Cox for his 15th goal of the season from eight yards out.
Motors continued to dominate proceedings after the break but they had to wait until the 64th minute before adding further to their tally. Joe Heath was fouled some 30 yards out but that didn’t stop Holmes from producing an inch-perfect free kick beyond the home keeper for number three.
And five minutes later it became 4-0 when a free kick from the right was headed back across goal by Tom Mitchell where Glenn Rule at the far post converted from close in. The home side pulled a goal back through Will Avon shortly after but this was merely a consolation and towards the end, Noon saw one effort cannon off a post and have an audacious lob from distance going narrowly wide before substitute Michael Burkey, Danny Cross and Cox, who struck an upright, all went close.
This win took the Motormen on to 76 points while results elsewhere also aided their promotion push. Another two victories should ensure McGraa’s side are at least promoted while they fully intend to capture the NWL Division One South championship in some style.
Vauxhall: Crump, Mason, Heath (Drummond 75), Gardner, Mitchell, Rule (Ruffer 70), Cross, Cooper, Cox , Noon, Holmes (Burkey 66). Subs not used: Carlin.
