Northern Premier League

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Points shared at Avro

By Ethan Hoijord

Vauxhall Motors played out a 1-1 draw as they travelled to Avro on a warm mid-April Saturday afternoon.

The game came six days on from being crowned champions of the NWCFL Premier Division with a 4-1 victory against AFC Liverpool, Avro showed their class by giving their visitors a guard of honour.

Motors’ Connor Harwood opened the scoreline in the first half before the hosts’ Louis Potts netted the equaliser before the break.

Goalkeeper Sam Booth kept the game level, a point and a goal each the final result.

Avro posed problems early on as Simon Thelwell gifted the ball to Jamie Rother with a mis-timed clearance.

However, Sam Booth done well to gather the ball and get it away from danger.

A poor challenge on midfielder Jordan Deer was put in as the visitors looked to attack at the other end.

The free kick by Deer was cleared before the resulting effort went wide.

Connor Harwood would soon put Mick McGraa’s Motormen into the lead, it had been coming with a period of sustained pressure.

The forward was hiding behind a defender as he nicked the ball and slotted it past Grant Shenton.

Avro’s Michael Afuye had switched to the right and was creating issues for the Motors defence. He linked up well with Potts and forced a corner which was saved excellently by Booth, with a powerful shot.

Bobbie McDonnell was brought off with an injury, ten minutes before the break as Ben Holmes came on to replace him.

However Vauxhall would be frustrated in the final ten minutes, as the scoreline was levelled. Afuye played a brilliant cross into Potts, whose header rifled powerfully past Booth.

Avro could have got themselves in front when they counter attacked from a free kick.

Booth, who had been kept busy throughout the half, came off his line as he aimed to collect the ball. However, he failed to do so and the eventual effort, after the ball was played wide, was well saved.

In the first great moment of the second half, the hosts could’ve edged themselves in front but for a fantastic save by Booth as the ball seemed to be swerving into the top right corner, the shot being took by Potts.

Avro were looking to win the game, Jake Cottrell dragged one wide from outside the area before great shouts for a penalty in added time were dismissed as Tom Mitchell jumped on Potts.

Vauxhall Motors are back in action next Saturday afternoon as they travel to West Didsbury and Chorlton, where they will lift the title.

The point keeps Avro in second as they continue their battle for a play-off spot.

AVRO TEAM, managed by Alex Frost: Grant Shenton, Matthew Crothers, Jake Cottrell, Jack Morrow, Sam Rathbone, Geffry Ebhote, Jamie Rother (85′), Charlie Doyle (68′), Louis Potts, Liam Ellis (66′), Michael Afuye (90′), SUBS: Joe Rathbone (66′), Lee Wilshaw, Tommy Lent (68′), Bradley Sullivan (85′), Muis Bibire Bello (90′).

VAUXHALL MOTORS TEAM, managed by Mick McGraa: Sam Booth, Ben Dufton-Kelly, Adam Hughes (52′), Simon Thelwell (45′), Thomas Mitchell, Sean Moscrop, Bobbie McDonnell (36′), Jake Parker, Lewis Buckley (48′), Jordan Deer, Conor Harwood. SUBS: Haydn Cooper, Ethan Gouldbourne (45′), Joseph Holt (48′), Ben Holmes (36′), Liam Turner (52′).