SATURDAY 3rd NOVEMBER 2007

VAUXHALL MOTORS 1 v 1 WORCESTER CITY

BLUE SQUARE NORTH

Few could complain about the outcome of this Blue Square North contest, in which Motors enjoyed the better of the first half and led at the break, only to be pegged back by a determined second half showing by Worcester, who have still to record a victory at Rivacre Park.

In the process, Vauxhall boss Andy Mutch secured his first point as manager, but probably felt his side had done enough to claim a victory, especially having dominated the opening half, against a City side under the caretaker control of former Everton full back, John Bailey.

The lively Paul Taylor twice went close to scoring before newcomer Mark Reed struck his first goal for the Motormen on 28 minutes, as he latched on to a through ball from Rob Marsh-Evans in the inside left channel before finishing in style.  Worcester responded with a swerving effort from George Clegg before a great save from on-loan keeper Andrew Murphy kept out a shot from Craig Wilding just before the interval.

On the resumption, Peter Heler looked set to increase Motors lead, when Dave Roberts squared a pass to him on the right, only for his drive to be blocked by the legs of Danny McDonnell in the City goal. But then the visitors began to take the initiative.  Clegg had one effort palmed away by Murphy and another effort was cleared off the line, before the equaliser arrived on 64 minutes, when a short corner was crossed in by Clegg from the right for Eweka Nwadike to head home from ten yards.

Vauxhall struggled to gain much momentum after this set back but then they rallied strongly in the latter stages as they sought a winner and Taylor had three efforts on goal in quick succession inside the last six minutes.  His first shot went just wide of an upright and his third was smartly saved at the near post by McDonnell, but in between, a thunderous drive, crashed against the top of the bar after a superb break out from defence by man-of-the-match Heler.

Vauxhall: Murphy, Brannan, Marsh-Evans (Dames 82), Field, Kelly, Hotte, Garrity (Smith 72), Heler, Reed (Johnson 54), Roberts, Taylor.  Sub not used: Wright, Clarke.