Squires Gate 2 Vauxhall Motors 4
Match report by Ethan Hoijord
Following on from Vauxhall Motors’ fantastic 2-1 win against fellow promotion chasers Bury AFC in midweek, Mick McGraa’s Motormen won 4-2 away at Squires Gate on Saturday afternoon.
The Motors started the weekend’s game on the front foot as Lewis Buckley put his side into the lead on the tenth minute mark before defender Adam Hughes got his first goal for the club just before half time to double the scoreline.
However, Squires Gate would level up with an improved second half performance before Michael Burkey struck a late winner sparking wild celebrations.
Impressing against The Shakers, recently signed goalkeeper Samuel Booth got the nod to start with newly recruited forward Jake Parker, who was a referee decision away from extending his side’s lead on Tuesday night.
The Gate were aiming to be as strong as possible against a great Motormen attack as Alex Welsh put in a big early tackle.
However, goalkeeper Nathan Pennington would soon be unable to stop a rebounded effort from the feet of Lewis Buckley which was tapped into the top corner from close range. It was great work by Michael Burkey that started the move to open the scoreline.
The lead could have quickly been doubled but no rebound was forced from a strong save by Pennington, this time at his near post.
Luke Evans’ side started to grow into the game with thirty minutes played, a smart volley from Alex Ralph was clawed away from the top corner by Sam Booth.
However, it wouldn’t take long for the visitors to get back to being tricky going forwards. The ball was cleared off the line when Ben Holmes’ free kick was headed on by Marcus James. Pennington failed to deal with it before Jake Parker flicked it goal bound.
The second would come when Adam Hughes fired a fierce shot into the bottom corner from a free kick. Pennington was beaten by a bobble on the pitch, the defender getting his first goal for the club.
The hosts were much improved after the break, withstanding pressure from Vauxhall, as Callum Sandle pulled one back when he tapped home from James Boyd’s pass after a great ball in behind from Dan Gray.
Their equaliser would come ten minutes later as the ball was bundled over the line. There was a bit of confusion to what had actually happened, Booth had clawed the ball off the line but his efforts were apparently not enough as the referee waved for a goal.
Vauxhall were close to regaining the lead when Connor Harwood’s point blank header, from Jake Parker’s corner, was stopped by a great save from Pennington.
Both sides were battling well to find the winner as the game entered its latter stages.
It would be Michael Burkey and Vauxhall Motors that won the game as the tricky forward made no mistake with his second effort, sparking wild celebrations at The Brian Addison Stadium, following on from a great headed contribution by substitute Ben Dufton-Kelly.
The lead was extended late into stoppage time, reclaiming the two goal cushion, as Bobbie McDonnell showed great persistence to get his reward. He lashed his effort past the keeper to seal the win.
Mick McGraa’s side are next in action on Tuesday night as they travel to fellow promotion chasers Bury AFC!
Vauxhall Motors, managed by Mick McGraa: Samuel Booth, Ethan Gouldbourne, Adam Hughes, Marcus James, Thomas Mitchell, Haydn Cooper (86’), Michael Burkey, Ben Holmes, Lewis Buckley (46’), Jake Parker (79’), Connor Harwood. SUBS: Bobbie McDonnell (46’), Greg Drummond, Sean Moscrop (90’), Ben Dufton-Kelly (86’ on 90’ off), Joe Holt (79’).
Squires Gate, managed by Luke Evans: Pennington, Gray (92’), Riley (86’), Chambers, Welsh, Westwood, Boyd, Webster, Sandle (77’), Cliffe, Ralph (86’). SUBS: Jones (86’), Yilmaz (92’), Moore (77’), Page, Ball (86’).