Ethan Hoijord

Vauxhall Motors cruised to a 3-1 victory in their final home game of the season, against Newcastle Town on Saturday afternoon.

Vauxhall Motors secured safety in their penultimate away game of the season, with a 2-1 win at Mossley. 

RELEGATION-THREATENED Trafford beat Vauxhall Motors 2-1 on Saturday afternoon at The VanEupen Arena.

NEW Vauxhall Motors signing Kevin Ellison ensured that it was indeed a Good Friday at The VanEupen Arena as he struck twice in Motors’ 3-2 win against Kidsgrove Athletic.

VAUXHALL Motors suffered a cruel, late blow as they put in a spirited performance away at play-off hopefuls Avro, on Non League Day. Danny Holmes made a few changes to his side, as they looked to continue their run of unbeaten form following their win against Stalybridge Celtic last Saturday and draw at Hednesford Town in the week, as both new signings Kevin Ellison and Toby Jones started on the bench and midfielder Jordan Wynne made a return to action for the first time since October 21. The Motormen put the ball in better areas in the first half and should have led going into the break. However, claims for a penalty were dismissed before Avro came out with intent and won the game in the 95th minute, with a goal from defender James Dwyer. Vauxhall’s keeper Jack Atkinson was called into action straight away as he came off his line quickly to smother the ball and put an end to a good Avro attack. Then, in the 17th minute, Holmes’ men were left scratching their heads as loud shouts for a penalty were waved away by the referee. The ball seemed to have struck the hand of a defender but the man in the middle didn’t believe that it did. The Motors continued to attack and a brilliant move that saw defender Bobby Beaumont, midfielder Jake Kirby-Reed, striker Connor Rankin and forward Jordan Deer linking up excellently, should have brought a goal. However, keeper Grant Shenton managed to flick the ball away from George Nugent who was rushing in at the back post. Motors got close again as striker Bobbie McDonnell, who netted on Tuesday night in Staffordshire, intercepted a poor pass inside the area, just before the whistle blew for half time, yet his strike lacked real conviction as it blasted into the side netting. The 'Ro were denied a goal, five minutes into the second half, as defender Adam Hughes stopped a Kyle Hawley effort travelling goalward with an unbelievable block. Experienced striker Ellison came on to make his Motors debut, in the 64th minute, as he replaced McDonnell. However, there was little action that threatened the hosts in the remaining minutes as Atkinson made a few good saves before being beaten at the death by a James Dwyer header, from a corner sent in by captain Jake Cottrell. Vauxhall Motors are back in action on Good Friday as they play host to Kidsgrove Athletic

VAUXHALL Motors were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw away at lowly Hednesford Town on Tuesday night.

VAUXHALL Motors pushed away from the relegation zone with a 3-1 victory at home to Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday afternoon.

VAUXHALL Motors were left ruing their missed chances as they were beaten 2-0 at Clitheroe. The Motormen were looking to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat to Avro on Tuesday night against a side who were also looking to get back to winning ways having failed to win any of their last three. Danny Holmes made three changes to the 11 that started in midweek in Ellesmere Port as Jack Atkinson returned between the sticks having served his suspension, which was picked up in the defeat to Bootle on February 3. George Nugent replaced Jordan Deer up front whilst Ben Holmes provided extra legs in midfield as striker Jay Harvey took to the bench. Clitheroe made a strong start to the game as Jack Massey fired his shot over the crossbar from inside the box. Atkinson soon made a brilliant save with his feet following a good shot from Matty Clarke, to keep the game level. The tie was very competitive and Vauxhall were creating chances of their own as defender Adam Hughes flicked his header, from a George Nugent cross, narrowly wide. However, the hosts opened the scoring on the 30th minute mark when Amaar Hussain raced past the defence before chipping the ball over Atkinson. Vauxhall searched for the leveller before the whistle blew for half time but shots from forwards Jake Kirby and Joe Brandon were fired wide. Following the break, Vauxhall received a golden opportunity to score when the referee deemed that Andrew Teague had handled the ball inside the box. However, Clitheroe keeper Hakan Burton was able to save Connor Rankin’s tamely struck penalty. With the visitors continuing their hunt for an equaliser, Rankin forced a mistake between the hosts backline but he wasn’t able to take full advantage of the opportunity. Holmes made a few changes late on, bringing Jordan Deer and Jay Harvey on to add fresh, skillful legs up front. However, it was Clitheroe that found the back of the net as debutant Louis Potts fired in from the right hand side of the box with 20 minutes left on the clock.

VAUXHALL Motors put an end to their winless start to 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 23 last year. However, despite going a goal down the hosts were in cruise control in the second half as they scored twice and created 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 visitor's 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 goal scorer 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.   

VAUXHALL Motors picked up a valuable point away at league leaders Leek Town after securing a 2-2 draw.  The hosts edged themselves in front in the opening minute before an own goal from Lucas Weir levelled the tie. Weir redeemed himself, putting Leek in front just before half time. Yet, Vauxhall’s persistent battling resulted in substitute Bobbie McDonnell ensuring that the Motormen took a point away from Staffordshire. With recently signed keeper Jack Atkinson serving his suspension, after being sent off in Motors last outing, it was Tranmere youngster Alex Brown that played between the sticks. Defender Ben Dufton-Kelly returned to the backline. Danny Holmes’ side faced the worst possible start as a goal from Thomas Carr placed Leek in front, in the opening minute. Leek continued to press the visitors but Vauxhall were managing to get the ball into promising areas as a header from striker Connor Rankin was deflected and claimed by Leek’s Dino Vasser. The equaliser came just after the half hour mark as Weir fired into his own net as Leek’s keeper came off his line but failed to collect the ball. However, Weir redeemed himself as he struck past Brown just before the whistle blew for the break. A good save from Brown kept the hosts lead to one when play resumed. In an attempt to freshen legs at the top end of the pitch, Holmes replaced George Nugent and Jordan Deer with Bisensio Kamilo and Joe Brandon on the hour mark. Forward McDonnell was soon brought on for Jay Harvey. Rankin had a perfect opportunity to level the tie up with ten minutes left on the clock but his header failed to threaten the Leek shot stopper before McDonnell hit a wonderfully sweet shot on the half volley to take a point back to The Port. Vauxhall will look to claim their first win in eight games as they play host to 1874 Northwich next Saturday afternoon. Leek travel to Chasetown on Tuesday night.