Vauxhall Motors beat Nottingham Forest u23s 2-1 with a Jordan Deer penalty regaining Mick McGraa’s side’s lead in the second half, at The VanEupen Arena.

With many games coming up over the Christmas period, and the freezing weather postponing the last scheduled fixture, it was important for Vauxhall players to get game time against a strong academy team.

The game was fairly balanced with Forest’s attacking threat showing as Ateef Konate danced through the backline before his shot was fired at keeper Ciaran O’Loughlin.

His next attempt, a few minutes later, went just wide of goal.

At the other end, Bobbie McDonnell hit the post with a header as a fantastic pass by midfielder Jordan Deer presented Michael Burkey with an opportunity to put the cross in.

Vauxhall’s attacking presence was growing and a shot from Ben Holmes would fire over the bar.

The second half started quickly, Sean Moscrop netting the first goal of the game to put the hosts in the lead as a mistake from the visitors keeper was pounced on.

However, Forest would soon level with a header from Conor Brown who was unmarked in the box.

It didn’t take long for Mick McGraa’s side to regain their lead, as a penalty from Deer was fired into the opposite end of the diving Ryan Hammond.

A Deer effort shot over the bar in the final few minutes, the game ending 2-1 due to his goal.

Motors are next in action on Boxing Day away at AFC Liverpool as they look to maintain their place at the top of the top of the NWCFL Premier Table.

Vauxhall Motors team, managed by Mick McGraa: Ciaran O’Loughlin, Matthew Beaman, Liam Turner, Ben Dufton-Kelly, Tom Mitchell, Sean Moscrop, Michael Burkey, Ben Holmes, Lewis Buckley, Jordan Deer, Bobbie McDonnell. SUBS: Marcus James, Haydn Cooper, Joe Brandon, Greg Drummond, Matthew Corran.

Nottingham Forest U23s: Hammond, Solomon, Clarridge, Johnson, Sinclair, McDonnell, Collins, Perkins, Fewster, Gibson-Hammond, Konate. SUBS: Gbopo, Robinson, Lister, Brown.