TUESDAY 23rd OCTOBER 2007

VAUXHALL MOTORS 1 v 3 AFC TELFORD UNITED

BLUE SQUARE NORTH

Motors new manager Andy Mutch had a far from comfortable first game in charge, following the role reversal at Rivacre Park over the weekend - and the prospects for Saturday’s 4th qualifying round F. A. Cup tie at Kidderminster are beginning to look bleak too, such is the injury situation.

The new boss introduced Andrew Murphy, a keeper on loan from Preston, and new signing Mark Reed up front, just hours after his capture from Buxton, and newcomer Ryan Wignall to the Motors starting line-up, as he reshuffled his pack in the continued absence of Joe McMahon and Alan Griffiths, and the loss of another central defender Shaun Kelly and Keith Smith, also through injury.

He even drove all the way over to Middlesbrough to draft in Lee Dames for his first start since his hernia operation – and back again after the game!  And was forced to play Jordan Holmes, despite the full back not being fully fit.  If that wasn’t bad enough, hot-shot Paul Taylor was synically forced from the game early on and it wasn’t long before Holmes also had to retire!  It was Motors’ 13th league game of the season!

Before those two substitutions, Telford had already gained the initiative with the opener after just seven minutes, when Indy Khela headed home from six yards out from a corner, despite the efforts of Holmes on the post.  And it got even worse for the home side on 34 minutes, when Dames under hit an intended back pass and in nipped Lee Moore for another soft goal for a 2-0 interval lead.

The Motormen looked more purposeful after the break and on the hour mark, Peter Heler notched his first goal for the club, with a delightful left-footed lofted shot into the top corner, giving Ryan Young in the visitors goal little chance.  The home impetus increased as the game wore on and on 75 minutes, Telford were reduced to ten men when Khela received his second yellow card.

And with just six minutes remaining, a piece of trickery by Heler, saw Vauxhall awarded a penalty when he was tripped in the area, but Tom Field’s well-struck spot kick was brilliantly saved by Young.  Four minutes later, Mike Garrity was shown a red card following his second yellow to redress the man advantage, while Mutch was also dismissed from the dugouts shortly after.

And in the last couple of minutes of added time, United substitute Matty Lewis rounded off the scoring with a third Telford goal, to add insult to injury!

Club physio Scott McCauley looks like being a very busy man this Thursday evening, ahead of Saturday’s big Cup tie!

Vauxhall: Murphy, Holmes (15 Garrity 36), Dames, Field, Marsh-Evans, Hotte, Egerton, Heler, Wignall (12. Roberts 72), Reed, Taylor (14. Wright 21).  Sub not used: 16.Johnson, 17. Clarke.