SATURDAY 5th APRIL 2008

VAUXHALL MOTORS 0 v 3 HUCKNALL TOWN

BLUE SQUARE NORTH

This was a match the Motormen simply had to win to stand any chance of avoiding relegation back to the Unibond Premier League after four years, but a combination of the outstanding form of former Southport keeper Steve Dickinson and then the silky skills of Benny Saunders at the other end, all but ended Vauxhall’s stint in the Blue Square North.

This latest defeat leaves Carl Macauley’s side nine points short of safety with just three games remaining.

Dickinson produced five outstanding saves when the contest was still very much in the balance.  Twice in the first half he denied Tom Field with excellent saves from close in after superb work on the left both times by Thomas Carroll on his home debut, while in between he also denied the recently-promoted West Cheshire striker after good work by Peter Heler.

At the other end, Andrew Murphy did equally as well to keep out a Danny Mayman free kick, but in injury time at the end of the half, substitute Danny Bacon picked out the perfect cross for the unmarked Saunders to loop a header over the stranded home custodian for James Cullingworth to stab over the line. 

This was a real hammer blow to Motors, but after an uneventful start on the resumption, Dickinson then distinguished himself with two more outstanding saves, going to his left to keep out a stunning right-foot drive by Heler before going full-length to the other side to dent a sweetly struck effort from Jordan Holmes.  And shortly after, the home side’s chances nose-dived as Rob Wilson headed home a second Hucknall goal on 73 minutes following a free kick on the right.

Seven minutes later, Peter Know drove the final nail into Motors coffin, as he evaded the offside flag to steer the ball under the out-rushing Murphy for number three.

Vauxhall: Murphy, Maddox (Owens 49), Holmes, Field, Griffiths, Robinson, Heler, Brannan, McMahon (Smith 57). Carroll, Williams .  Sub not used: Macauley, Dames, Rigby.