Vauxhall draw against Harrogate

Sep 15 2010 by James Connor, Birkenhead News

Vauxhall Motors 1 - Harrogate 1

VAUXHALL conceded another late goal when Harrogate winger Wayne Phillips snatched a dramatic late equaliser to give the away side a share of the spoils at Rivacre Park.

It looked as though The Motormen were heading for their first home victory of the season but with just 2 minutes to go, Phillips was left unmarked at on the left wing to drill home from 10 yards out.

Vauxhalls started the brightest with new signing Craig Mahon firing over after 5 minutes then Paul Brown had a 30 yard effort well saved by Kieran Gonzalez with 20 minutes on the clock.

At the other end Harrogate striker Liam Hardy had the ball in the net after 30 minutes but his close range effort was disallowed for offside.

The home side continued to push forward and got their rewards on 59 minutes courtesy of a goal from leading goalscorer Obi Anoruo. Mahon played a great through ball to Anoruo who outpaced his marker and drilled home from 10 yards out.

With 10 minutes to go Vauxhall defender Andy Taylor saw red for a second bookable offence which changed the game as Harrogate piled on the pressure.

Just as it looked like the home side had done enough for all 3 points, Phillips popped up with a confident finish beyond the outstretched Scott Tynan.

After the game, Manager Carl Macauley said: “This was a scrappy game that never really got going but I thought we had done enough for all 3 points. The sending off did change the game but we need to stay switched on for the whole 90 minutes. We should have 10 points now instead of 5 but another lapse in concentration at the death has cost us yet again.”

Vauxhall: Tynan, Taylor, Dames, Hannigan, Marsh-Evans, Brown, Prince (Smith 74), Mahon, Anoruo, Wilson, Noone.

Subs not used: Mboa, Wright.

Next up for The Motormen is the long journey to the North-East to take on Blyth Spartans on Saturday 18th September (3pm ko)