Drama as Vauxhall Motors escape relegation

May 2 2012 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

IN AN incredible climax to the season, Motors started the day as one of eight clubs who could have possibly fallen to relegation out of the Blue Square Bet North when they travelled to Droylsden.

However, despite a heavy defeat at The Butchers Arms, results elsewhere meant the Motormen maintained their status in the league next season.

Both sides looked nervy in the opening exchanges, but the home side took the lead on 20 minutes. Carlos Logan broke clear down the right-hand side and delivered a cross which Dale Johnson got on the end of and although Motors keeper Scott Tynan made the initial save, the ball fell kindly to Dan Gardner who tapped home from close range.

Droylsden extended their lead on 58 minutes when a free-kick on the half-way line was played into the penalty area. Poor defending allowed Steve Hall to turn and his wayward shot went across goal before being knocked into the net at the back post by full-back Chris Brown.

It was 3-0 after 63 minutes when man-of-the-match Gardner cut inside from just outside the area then fired home from 20 yards out beyond substitute keeper Gary Spotswood.

Motors pulled a goal back on 74 minutes after Dave Mannix delivered a deep corner to Kevin Holsgrove at the back post to slot the ball past St-Louis Hamilton.

The game was killed off by the home side on 88 minutes via the penalty spot. Hall was tripped by Paul Jones in the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Dan Gardner stepped up and cheekily chipped the ball down the centre of the goal to complete his hat-trick.

Dale Johnson made it 5-1 in added time when he was given plenty of time to control the ball and beat Spotswood with ease from eight yards out.

There was still time for Motors to grab a late consolation deep into added time when Craig Mahon made good progress on the left wing and crossed for Danny Fearnehough to head home.

Vauxhall manager Carl Macauley admitted the disappointment of the performance and result was quickly turned into relief at staying up.

He said: “It’s not judged on one game, it’s judged on many games throughout the whole season and we’ve totalled 50 points which has kept us in the Blue Square North which is where we want to play our football.”

Vauxhall: Tynan (Spotswood 62), Fearnehough, Dames, Hannigan, Jones, Burke (Egerton 68), Mahon, Mannix, Parkinson (Noone 83), Wilson, Holsgrove. Subs not used: Wright, Martindale