SATURDAY 22nd MARCH 2008

WORKINGTON 1 v 0 VAUXHALL MOTORS

BLUE SQUARE NORTH

Vauxhall Motors slipped closer to the relegation trapdoor with this cruel defeat at Workington, in which both keepers excelled, the finishing on both sides could have been better and each side had one stunning strike on goal – the Red’s flew into the top corner, the Motors just the wrong side of an upright!

Already without suspended trio Mark Maddox, Tom Field and Paul Taylor, the Motormen lost Lee Owens prior to kick-off with an injury and further injuries during the game to Lee Dames and Keith Smith, leaves manager Carl Macauley with a major headache ahead of Easter Monday’s home fixture with play-off hopefuls Harrogate Town, which now takes on even greater significance.

Despite the early setback, there is no doubt the visitors were much the better side in the first half yet went in at the break 1-0 down. Home keeper Adam Collin first came to prominence as early as the 3rd minute, as he palmed away a well-struck snap shot from Peter Heler.  Shortly after,, he was in action again tipping over a decent header by Ged Brannan from Smith’s corner, before smothering an acute-angled strike from Dave Roberts at his near post.

But even he was left motionless like everyone around by an absolute stunning half-volley from 25 yards out by Heler, only for the effort to go agonisingly just wide of the far post at incredible speed.  On 34 minutes, Brannan was carelessly caught in possession by Jonny Wright, who then had a clear run in on goal only for Andrew Murphy to come to the fore to deny the home striker.

But 3 minutes later, after two dangerous crosses into the box, Graham Anthony hit a screamer from outside the area into the top corner to give the hosts an undeserved lead and Murphy no chance.  Seconds later, Heler was only inches away once more at the other end, as he prodded a long ball past the same post. 

With the strong wind now at their backs, Workington kept Motors hemmed in their own half for long spells in the second half, but wayward shooting meant that they never went seriously close to increasing their lead - until late on.

But at the other end, Heler ought to have done better when played in on the left on 71 minutes, shooting tamely straight at Collin and then saw an 85th minute scissor kick also turned away by the Reds keeper, as the striker’s frustration increased still further.  Motors then threw caution to the wind in a final attempt to wrestle something from the game - and then the hosts wasted a good number of clear-cut chances when through on Murphy.  Some still went wide of the mark but the keeper also made a couple of good saves to keep everyone on their toes until the final whistle sounded another serious setback for Motors.

Vauxhall: Murphy, Hitchen, Dames (McMahon 60), Griffiths, Egerton, Robinson, Smith (Hannagan 75), Brannan, Heler, Roberts, Holmes.  Sub not used: Macauley, Rooney.