By Ethan Hoijord

Vauxhall Motors were narrowly beaten in their first home game of the new year, against Chasetown.

The Motormen were looking to bounce back from their heavy defeat on New Years Day, away at City Of Liverpool, however they got off to a poor start at the VanEupen Arena when Jordan Evans struck his second of the campaign on the 14th minute mark past new ‘keeper Jack Atkinson who signed for the club on Friday.

The visitors put Holmes’ side under pressure from the off and after carving open the hosts defence, centre-half Lewis Willingham made a brilliant recovery as he cleared away the ball on the line with four minutes played.

However, as the pressure continued to build, it wouldn’t take too long before Evans edged his side in front with a fantastic strike from the edge of the area.

There were limited chances created throughout the first half, Chasetown frustrating Vauxhall as they looked to get themselves back into the tie.

Holmes was forced into making his first change of the afternoon when the injured Jason Akiotu was replaced by Bobby Beaumont.

The Motormen played with much greater intensity following the break, as creative midfielders Jordan Deer and Joe Brandon looked to get the better of a strong backline by sending perfectly carved balls through the defence.

However, the visitors’ keeper Bradley Clarkson was there to the rescue as he cleared the danger away.

Chasetown continued to cause issues of their own as new keeper Atkinson proved his worth by making a great double save to keep his side in the game with twenty minutes left on the clock.

However, The Chase managed to hold on to all three points to climb up to eleventh in the Northern Premier League Division One West. Vauxhall ended the afternoon fifteenth.

Vauxhall are back in action on Friday night as they travel to Prescot Cables. Chasetown next face Mossley on Tuesday.

Vauxhall Motors FC, managed by Danny Holmes: Jack Atkinson, George Nugent, Adam Hughes, Lewis Willingham, Jason Akiotu (40’), Joe Brandon, Haydn Cooper, Jordan Deer (77’), Jay Harvey, Bisensio Kamilo, Leo Riley (51’). SUBS: Ben Holmes (77’), Sean Moscrop, William Dunne (51’), Bobby Beaumont (40’), Joe Levey.

Chasetown FC, managed by Mark Swann: Bradley Clarkson, Oli Hayward, Jordan Evans, Luke McGinnell, Thomas Unwin, Sam Wilding, Ben Lund, Ryan Shaw (66’), Danny Glover, Danny O’Callaghan, Luke Yates (58’). SUBS: Joe Dunne, Jack Langston (66’), John Atherton (58’), Jayden Campbell, James Wren.

Attendance: 186.

Referee: Thomas Swift.