Vauxhall Motors 1 Colwyn Bay 3
Tuesday 12th July 2022 – 7.15pm KO.

Vauxhall Motors were defeated 3-1 by Colwyn Bay in a pre season friendly in Ellesmere Port.

There were very few talking points in the opening stages of the first half as both sides aimed to find their feet on a very hot summer’s night.

Colwyn Bay seemed to want to attack from their left hand side, but had little success in doing so with a resilient Motors defence combating their play.

Following a period of attacks from both sides, Mick McGraa’s forwards were awarded with a corner which was brilliantly put in by Greg Drummond for a turning Simon Thelwell to finish powerfully.

The visitors were immediately found kicking themselves when a great cross from the right failed to be netted by an onrushing diving striker.

However, their goal would soon come when a shot from outside the area struck the bottom left post before creeping in.

A drinks break brought a halt to the action, as Colwyn Bay were starting to find their fortune much to the hosts frustration.

The second goal would soon come though, when a cross from the right saw an unmarked forward have a shot that beat Damien Eastham.

There was some calls for the goal not to be given, as the shot that beat the keeper was tapped in by the forwards teammate, who seemed to be in an offside position.

The calls were dismissed and this would be the final noteable point of the first half.

A lofted pass into the hosts defensive third was the first attack by the visitors, the ball failed to be met by a defender before a  forward was able to extend his side’s lead by striking the ball fast past a stranded keeper.

A sensational twisting run by Motors sub Trialist B saw him outpace his marker on the edge of the box, his shot at the end of the run sizzled past the post.

The visitors were in a great position to add to their goal tally, their striker however took too long on the ball and it was soon smothered by Eastham.

A frustrating second half from Motors was brought to an end – the whistle blowing with the scoreline at 3-1.

Following the game, manager Mick McGraa said “I thought we played well tonight against a really strong side who will be competing at the top end of their division next season, we managed to create some good chances and we’ll continue to work hard ahead of the season”.

McGraa’s side will face Ruthin next as they continue their preparations for the league season.

Goals:
Vauxhall Motors – Simon Thelwell.
Colwyn Bay – Ryan Edwards, Craig Lindfield, Matty Hill.

First half team: Damien Eastham, Ethan Gouldbourne, Greg Drummond, Simon Thelwell, Ben Dufton Kelly, Joe Heath, Sean Moscrop, Ben Holmes, Trialist B, Trialist D, Mitchell McGraa.

Second half team: Damien Eastham, Tom Mitchell, Trialist A, Trialist B, Michael Burkey, Ben Holmes, Jordan Deer, Haydn Cooper, Sean Moscrop, Harvey Sample, Trialist C.