By Ethan Hoijord

Vauxhall Motors returned to first position in the NWCFL Premier table with a 4-0 victory away at Longridge Town.

The Motormen needed to put in a great performance after a gutting late strike in midweek saw them defeated at The VanEupen Arena and they did just that.

Vauxhall Motors started in excellent fashion as Conor Harwood opened the scoreline just inside the first minute.

Harwood was fouled after Simon Thelwell cleared the ball following a good attack from the hosts. The referee played the advantage before the forward finished powerfully to edge The Motors in front.

Longridge were creating chances of their own but failed to get themselves back in the game as Aaron Dawson netted the rebound from a Lewis Buckley strike.

Town were again close to goal but defender Ben Holmes stopped a certain tap in at the back post with a brilliant piece of defending.

The second half started slowly, the first moment worthy of mentioning being around the 70th minute as Longridge’s Jack Anderton was dismissed following a coming together with Motors’ Aaron Dawson who received a yellow card.

Michael Burkey would soon replace Bobbie McDonnell and this was a change that proved to be successful as he netted the third shortly after.

Burkey cut inside and produced an excellent finish into the top corner to take the game out of the hosts’ reach.

He would net a brace, making an instant impact, when he cut in and hit it into the goal’s near post.

After the full-time whistle blew, Motors manager Mick McGraa said “We needed to bounce back after Tuesday night’s defeat and we’ve done that with a great performance. It’s a massive game on Tuesday night now”.

The Motors are next in action on Tuesday night as they travel to Padiham, all support for McGraa’s side is appreciated as they look to keep their place at the top of the league.

LONGRIDGE TOWN: James Aspinall, Cameron Gourley (21’), Jack Arrowsmith, Connor Newton (47’), Ryan Schofield, Daniel Wilkinson, Scott Harries, Ben Fletcher (C), Dean Ing (76’), Morgan Homson-Smith, Jack Anderton, SUBS: Ethan Gough, Brian Mabhena, Mitch Marshall (21’), Robert Oseh (47’), Paul Turner (76’).

VAUXHALL MOTORS: Matthew Corran, Liam Turner (81’), Ethan Gouldbourne, Simon Thelwell (81’), Tom Mitchell (C), Aaron Dawson (75’), Bobbie Mcdonnell (70’), Sean Moscrop, Lewis Buckley, Ben Holmes, Conor Harwood (77’). SUBS: Jordan Deer (75’), Francois Antoine (77’), Michael Burkey (70’), Marcus James (81’), Ben Dufton-Kelly (81’).

ATTENDANCE: 182.