Vauxhall Motors leave it late to snatch a draw against Nuneaton Town

Jan 26 2011 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

Vauxhall Motors1

Nuneaton Town 1

NEW signing Leighton McGivern hit a late equaliser to give the Motormen a deserved point against Blue Square Bet North leaders Nuneaton Town.

Both sides played attacking football; however some poor refereeing decisions almost ruined this entertaining encounter at Rivacre Park.

The opening half was end-to-end with the first real chance falling to Nuneaton midfielder Justin Marsden who blazed over from 20-yards out.

Motors then nearly went ahead on 28 minutes when a Neil Prince corner was headed over by defender Tom Hannigan.

It was the home side who nearly took the lead on 41 minutes when Motors hit the away side on the break. Prince raced forward, setting up fellow midfielder Paul Brown who was unlucky to see his well-hit strike from 20 yards out hit Danny Alcock’s left hand post.

There was still time in the opening half for Obi Anoruo to have a shot well saved by Alcock. Then at the other end, Nuneaton captain Mark Noon missed the target with the goal at his mercy after Jon Ritchie had been drawn out of position by Marsden.

Just four minutes after the restart, Nuneaton took the lead when Brown was penalised for alleged shirt pulling in the penalty area. Nuneaton’s top marksman, Kyle Storer, calmly dispatched the resulting spot-kick for his 12th goal of the season.

On 64 minutes, Nuneaton almost extended their lead. Marsden ran at the Motors’ defence and laid the ball off to full-back Simon Forsdick who rattled Ritchie’s left-hand post with a left-footed drive from eight yards out.

It didn’t look like it was going to be Motors’ day when Brown was given his marching orders for a late challenge on Gareth Dean, but they continued to plug away.

With just two minutes remaining, Vauxhall got their rewards when Prince whipped in a deep dangerous corner which found the unmarked McGivern at the back post who chested the ball down and finished with a fine left foot strike which had Alcock well beaten from 10 yards out.

Vauxhall: Ritchie, Noone, Dames, Taylor, Hannigan, Prince (Smith 90), Mahon (King 90), Brown, Anoruo (McGivern 66), Wilson, Grice Subs (not used) Tynan, Wright. Attendance: 327

THE next home game for Vauxhalls is this Saturday when the Motormen welcome Gloucester City to Rivacre Park (3pm). Gloucester are struggling this season, losing 10 of their 17 league games. Admission will be adults: £8; concessions: £5; students: £3 (student ID required); U16s: Free.