SATURDAY 25th AUGUST 2007

VAUXHALL MOTORS 2 v 5 WORKINGTON

BLUE SQUARE NORTH

Vauxhall’s defensive problems came back to haunt them again on Saturday, just when it seemed they were ready to overtake their Cumbrian opponents, despite having gifted them a two-goal start.
                   
The Motormen had the worst possible start, conceding twice inside the first four minutes, but then completely overran Workington for the remainder of the half.  Workington struck after just three minutes, when Anthony Wright headed back across goal for Johnny Wright to convert despite the block tackle from Alan Griffiths.  Sixty seconds later it was 2-0 when Reds captain Steve Birks struck a beauty from 20 yards into the top corner. but then Vauxhall stormed back and could easily have been level just as quickly through lively pair Paul Taylor and Tom Field.

Taylor brought a smart save out of Adam Collin having undone the visitors defence and then Field struck a sweet shot only for his effort to cannon off the base of the far post.  Shortly after Motors’ Anthony Wright was only a whisker away from converting.

The impressive Taylor finally got his reward in the 38th minute, when he brushed aside a number of challenges before hitting a crisp right-foot shot into the top far corner.  Workington were glad to hear the half time whistle because at this stage, the hosts looked well set to go on and take the game by the scuff of the neck  – but all their hard work was undone inside the first eight minutes following the break, as they conceded two more sloppy goals to Michael Reed as he ran through the inside right channel and then Craig Johnston at the near post to make it 4-1 as the Motors defence crumbled.

Anthony Wright netted his second of the day in the 65th minute, to wrap up the points, though home substitute Mike Garrity struck a quality drive beyond Collin six minutes from time, his second goal at Rivacre Park this season.

Vauxhall: Lake, Moogan, Dames (Page 47), Griffiths, McMahon, Field, Smith, Johnson, Wright, Nesbitt, Taylor.  Sub not used: Longrigg, Johnston.