Motormen break down against Trinity

Mar 19 2008 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

Vauxhall Motors0

Gainsborough Trinity3

VAUXHALL’S hopes of building upon their midweek success over Boston were shattered after Trinity struck three goals past the relegation-threatened Motormen without reply at Rivacre Park.

Gainsborough gained the initiative in this Blue Square North game following a lively start and it took a superb block by home captain Craig Robinson to deny Matt Austin.

Both sides might have scored before the visitors suddenly hit a purple patch, which began in the 34th minute.

Lewis McMahon cleverly played the ball out to the unmarked Ryan Mallon on the right and his shot beat home keeper Andrew Murphy on his near post.

Three minutes later, Chris Hall doubled that lead with a drilled effort from just outside the area, having cut back on to his right foot following a cross-field run.

Then what seemed a clear foul by Trinity defender James Dudgeon on Alan Griffiths from a corner allowed Mallon to hook home a third just before the break from close in.

Motors were reduced to 10 men shortly after the break when Russell Hitchen was harshly shown a straight red, yet ironically, with interval substitute Ged Brannan pulling the strings in midfield, the hosts improved.

But for Adam Sollitt in the Gainsborough goal pulling off two excellent saves, from a free-kick by Brannan and a Paul Taylor curler, the final score could have been quite different.

Carl Macauley’s men now need to pick themselves back up again for a crucial Easter double-header, as they continue their battle to stay in the Blue Square North.

This Saturday, they travel north to face Workington before returning to Rivacre Park on Easter Monday for the visit of promotion-chasing Harrogate Town, both games kicking off at 3pm.