Rivacre Park, home of Vauxhall Motors FC based in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire and play their trade in Step 4 of the Non League Pyramid in the Northern Premier League Division One West. Nicknamed the “Motormen” after the car manufacturer.
An early ferry back from Dublin and after much deliberation, Vauxhall Motors vs Stalybridge Celtic is the fixture of choice! So it’s across the A55 onto the M56 to the M53 and into the ground just in time to see Arsenal draw with Brighton!
£10 to watch this Northern Premier League tie! Decent! The players are ready! A big game here in glorious sunshine! Who’s revved their engine the most for this one?
Kick Off! Vauxhall have the ball on the left and it’s played into the box and Jawad Jebrin is free… AND HE SCORES! WHAT A START FOR VAUXHALL!! No one anywhere near him and Vauxhall race into the lead! 1-0!
2 minutes later and Vauxhall come again, they have it on the left and it’s played across to Kevin Ellison who shoots first time… IT’S ANOTHER ONE!! VAUXHALL SCORE AGAIN! Stalybridge have hardly got out the dressing room! Kevin Ellison has still got it and he makes it 2-0 to Vauxhall!
Stalybridge are shellshocked but have started to get their act together now as they chase the game but still look open at the back.
36th minute and here come Stalybridge, the Stalybridge man Prince races into the box and he goes down… Penalty! Never a Penalty for me… Liam Tongue steps up… And scores!! Stalybridge are back in it! 2-1!
Into stoppage time in the first half and here come Stalybridge again, they get into the box on the right, it’s drilled across and Max Leonard is there… THEY’RE LEVEL!!! What a half of football this has been! 2-2! That’s how it stays at half time.
Second half, 49th minute and Vauxhall have a free kick on the left, it’s crossed in and here’s Dom Hoppe with the header… OFF THE BAR! Stalybridge clear!
62 minutes now and Stalybridge’s Javid has his leg stuck on a Vauxhall player who is holding him… Oooooh! Did he try to get away a bit to aggressively there? The Vauxhall team think so… So does the Referee! He’s off! Harsh in my opinion!
77th minute and Stalybridge have a corner, in it comes… It’s headed up in the air… Headed at goal… OFF THE POST! So close!
84th minute and Vauxhall have a corner, it’s played short and crossed in now… It’s Dom Hoppe at the back stick… HE’S GOT IT!!! Stalybridge’s hard work goes to waste… Vauxhall lead late on! 3-2!
Stalybridge press for the equaliser… But Vauxhall hold on for the win!
FT: Vauxhall Motors 3-2 Stalybridge Celtic
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 3/10 – Definitely felt like a football match but not much chanting.
- The Ground: 6/10 – Love the 2 stands but it could do with more behind the goals really.
- Expense: 10/10 – £10 for that sort of game is acceptable for me!
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – A great game all in all!!
27/40