By Ethan Hoijord

Vauxhall Motors put an end to their winless 2024 with a comfortable 3-1 victory against 1874 Northwich on Saturday afternoon.

Danny Holmes’ Motormen had failed to claim three points since their trip to Witton Albion on December 23rd.

However, despite going a goal down the hosts were in cruise control in the second half as they scored twice and made a plethora of chances.

Tranmere college star Alex Brown was in net as Jack Atkinson served his suspension and former Rovers man Mitch Duggan dominated the midfield on his debut.

The Motors made a good start at The VanEupen Arena however they failed to convert any of their three chances made in quick succession.

On the tenth minute mark, striker Connor Rankin was in acres of space and aimed to take the ball around 1874 shot stopper Matthew Wonnacott. However, the Wigan Athletic loanee did well to recover.

Despite the early possession, it was the visitors that went into the lead first as Josh Nicholson struck 18 minutes in.

Duggan came incredibly close to levelling the game up twenty minutes later, his header, from a Jordan Deer cross, smacked against the post.

Holmes’ men continued to press and Rankin made it all square at the break with a delightful chip inside the box, Deer again providing an exquisite ball to the front.

It didn’t take long for Vauxhall to get themselves into the lead after half-time, Holmes evidently stating the need for his side to take the chances they had been working hard for.

Striker Jay Harvey made it 2-1, taking the ball on the half-turn and smashing into the back of the visitors net.

1874 came close as they broke through the lines to get a ball into the box but Oli McFadyen fired over.

Holmes made a few changes late on, adding some fresh legs, and Bobbie McDonnell, who had hit the late equaliser at Leek Town last weekend, replaced goalscorer Harvey.

McDonnell played the ball into Rankin on the 73rd minute and the striker doubled his tally with an empty net in front of him.

Vauxhall are back in action next Saturday afternoon with a trip to Hednesford Town whilst 1874 will play at home against Hanley Town.

Vauxhall Motors FC team, managed by Danny Holmes: Alex Brown, George Nugent, Ethan Gouldbourne, Ben Dufton-Kelly, Adam Hughes, Mitch Duggan, Joe Brandon (67’), Jake Kirby-Reed (80’), Connor Rankin, Jay Harvey (58’), Jordan Deer. SUBS: Ben Holmes (80’), Haydn Cooper, Bobbie McDonnell (58’), Bobby Beaumont, Lewis Sinnott (67’).

1874 Northwich, managed by interim Mark Jones and Matt Woolley: Wonnacott, Noble, Josh Nicholson, Matt Fenton, Mark Jones (81’), Mike Ibeto (72’), Oli McFadyen, Kacper Mialkowski, Joel Jones, Chris McCann, Sam Oliver. SUBS: Tony Sodhi (72’), Tom Fagan, Jamie Nicholson (81’), Mike Shorthouse.

Attendance: 277.