Vauxhall Motors v Northwhich Victoria 
The VanEupen Arena 
NWCFL Premier Division
Tuesday 7th February 2023. 

Report by Ethan Hoijord | Photo by Paul Bartlett

A poor first half, a missed Lewis Buckley penalty and a goal being ruled out for a foul stood in the way of Vauxhall Motors beating Northwich Victoria on Tuesday night.

Mick McGraa’s Motormen were looking to bounce back from two defeats, despite the games seeing strong performances put in, when taking on Steve Wilkes’ flying Vics at The VanEupen Arena.

The visitors were the stronger side throughout the first half and set the tone when an early attempt was safely caught by Motors keeper Matthew Corran.

Their efforts would soon be rewarded, the second coming in quick succession, when a well placed free kick from the edge of the box curled into the top corner.

It was a fantastic strike from 25 yards by Brandon Barski and it was that man again when a free kick was fired into the top left corner to double The Vics’ lead.

McGraa’s half time team talk ensured that Vauxhall responded to the scoreline brilliantly in the second half, Bobbie McDonnell curling his shot into the corner inside the opening few minutes.

Again on the front foot, Michael Burkey came close to finding the equaliser when his attempt cannoned off the bar.

However, The Motormen were left frustrated when claims for a penalty failed to be given as a great chance was cleared off the line with what appeared to be a Northwich handball.

And that moment would only add to their feelings of the night when Lewis Buckley slipped when taking his penalty in the final minute before the referee ruled out a goal for a foul.

VAUXHALL MOTORS, managed by Mick McGraa: Matthew Corran, Ethan Gouldbourne, Greg Drummond (81’), James McCulloch (46’), Tom Mitchell, Aaron Dawson (23’), Michael Burkey, Ben Holmes (46’), Lewis Buckley, Haydn Cooper, Bobbie McDonnell. SUBS: Conor Harwood (46’), Simon Thelwell (46’), Jordan Deer (81’), Ben Dufton-Kelly, Sean Moscrop (23’).

NORTHWICH VICTORIA, managed by Steve Wilkes: Ryan Hamer, Joseph Camozzi, Matthew Clarke, Luke Sephton, Roman Allen, Brandon Barski, Ryan Jackson, Tom Walker, Matthew Dudley, Harvey Whyte, Domola Sotona. SUBS: Joe Cooney, Christian Mather, Siyam Muhammad, Soman Muhammad, Aaron Biddle.