By Ethan Hoijord
Vauxhall Motors suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to struggling Avro on Tuesday night.
The Motormen were looking to add on to the three points they had picked up last time out, with a 3-1 victory against 1874 Northwich. However, an abysmal first half saw Danny Holmes’ men go into the break 3-0 down against a side who were also looking for their second win of the calendar year.
Motors forward Joe Brandon brought a goal back with a header at the back post, on the hour mark, but this wasn’t enough to spark a comeback as full-back Jason Akiotu was sent off for a rash challenge in the game’s closing stages.
Before the whistle blew to start the tie, there was a beautifully respected minute’s silence held for the passing of Motors midfielder Haydn Cooper’s dad.
It was a relatively even start to the game but Vauxhall struggled to find their feet at the top end of the pitch.
The visitors were looking to find success through their tricky wing play, top goalscorer Kyle Hawley fired a powerful cross into the box but Liam Ellis blazed over.
Vauxhall’s Alex Brown came out to collect a cross sent in from the right, in the 17th minute. However, he missed the ball entirely as it fell to debutant Jack Kenny who made no mistake with an empty net in front of him.
Joe Brandon was close to levelling the tie up quickly as he followed a good run with a shot which troubled Grant Shenton as it hit his inside post, but the ball came back to the keeper’s arms.
At the other end, another piece of sloppy play added to Avro’s earlier strike as defender Adam Hughes hit a Kane Wallwork cross into his own net in the 21st minute.
The visitors believed that they had scored their third when top goalscorer Hawley finished off a well-worked move but the assistant’s flag was raised.
Hawley’s second of the match would eventually come as he hit a powerful effort through the hands of Brown before the break.
Needing a save to boost his confidence, Brown raced off his line to deny Hawley as he was through on goal early in the second half.
Vauxhall got themselves back into the game on the hour mark as Brandon headed home from the back post but it was Avro that carved open the only remaining opportunity as Muis Bibire Bello’s lofted effort hit the crossbar before Motors full-back Jason Akiotu was sent off.
Vauxhall return to action on Saturday afternoon as they travel to Clitheroe whilst Avro face a trip to Runcorn Linnets on March 16th.
Vauxhall Motors FC, managed by Danny Holmes: Alex Brown, Ethan Gouldbourne, Ben Dufton-Kelly, Adam Hughes (72’), Jason Akiotu, Jordan Deer (50’), Mitch Duggan, Jake Kirby, Joe Brandon, Connor Rankin, Jay Harvey (50’). SUBS: Joe Riley, Ben Holmes (50’), George Nugent (50’), Bobbie McDonnell (72’), Bobby Beaumont.
Avro FC, managed by Alex Frost: Grant Shenton, Bebeto Gomes, David Fitzpatrick, Ethan Kershaw, Jack Kenny, Luca Havern, Jake Cottrell, Jamie Rother (79’), Kyle Hawley, Liam Ellis (55’), Kane Wallwork (72’). SUBS: Matty Crothers (79’), Cheikh Thiam, Aarron Grewal (72’), Muis Bibire Bello (55’), Jack Anderton.
Referee: Joshua Howell.
Assistant’s: Matthew Turner and David Cooper.
Attendance: 146.