Match Report – Wythenshawe Town 0-3 Vauxhall Motors
By Ethan Hoijord
On a night where there were more red cards than goals, Vauxhall Motors returned to the top of the NWCFL Premier Division with a 3-0 away win at Wythenshawe Town.
New signing James McCulloch, formerly of Widnes and Prescot Cables, found himself on the bench on a freezing cold night in Manchester as he looked to make his debut.
It was an end to end game, the first great chance falling to Lewis Buckley when he saw his attempt saved by the hosts keeper Jakolevs.
Michael Burkey was quick to follow this effort when he used his trickery to lose his defender but he smashed the ball over the crossbar.
Burkey did manage to open the scoring when he again took advantage of his skill set before blasting his shot into the net.
Ben Holmes was close to making it two in quick succession but his free kick hit the bar.
The strike that furthered the lead came through Buckley, just before the whistle blew, after Burkey intercepted the ball on the halfway line and rolled it into the path of his teammate who struck comfortably into the corner.
Five red cards were awarded in the space of thirty minutes in the second half, Captain Tom Mitchell’s being the first for The Motormen before Ethan Gouldbourne received his second yellow.
Haydn Cooper was dismissed just before the full-time whistle blew.
On a lighter note, McCulloch would make his debut as he replaced the tiring Conor Harwood on the 65th minute and Ben Dufton-Kelly netted the third of the evening, six minutes after replacing Greg Drummond, when he was left unmarked in the box for a perfectly timed header.
Wythenshawe were awarded two red cards of their own, Dom Smalley and James Dwyer on the receiving end when tensions boiled over.
A very memorable night for Mick McGraa’s men.
Vauxhall Motors are next in action on Saturday afternoon, as they travel to FC Isle Of Man, looking to consolidate their place at the top!
Vauxhall Motors team, managed by Mick McGraa: Ciaran O’Loughlin, Ethan Gouldbourne, Greg Drummond (68’), Marcus James, Tom Mitchell ©️, Aaron Dawson, Michael Burkey, Haydn Cooper, Lewis Buckley (86’), Ben Holmes (79’), Conor Harwood. SUBS: Bobbie McDonnell, Jordan Deer (86’), Sean Moscrop (79’), Ben Dufton-Kelly (68’), James McCulloch.
Wythenshawe Town team, managed by James Kinsey: Jakolevs, Dom Smalley, Wright, Lees, James Dwyer, Deane Smalley (74’), Byrne (74’), Hewitt (48′), Bryan, Lowe, Palma (70′). SUBS: Sheridan, Potts (74’), Burton (70′), Parny (48′), Wilkinson (74’).