Town put the brakes on Motors in FA Vase
VAUXHALL MOTORS ............................... 1 RUNCORN TOWN ...................................... 3 UNCORN TOWN booked themselves a place in the third round of the FA Vase after seeing off the challenge of Vauxhall Motors last Friday evening.
The game was brought forward 24 hours at the home side’s request in an attempt to increase the usual attendance. The move proved to be the correct one and certainly paid off with a large crowd assembled in the superb facilities afforded by Vauxhall Motors at The Syncreon Arena in Ellesmere Port.
Runcorn almost made the perfect start when a hard, low cross from Jamie Menagh came back off Vauxhall goalkeeper Kris Leigh. The ball looped high in the air before being caught by the No.1 in front of an upright.
Twelve minutes were on the watch when the home side were awarded a penalty. Ben Holmes broke through down the left when his attempted crosssed ball struck Marcus James who was a mere yard off the striker.
The referee awarded the spot-kick in what Town considered to be unjust circumstances. But justice was served as far as Runcorn were concerned when goalkeeper Adam Reid saved Danny Cross’s effort from 12 yards with James following up to hack the loose ball away to safety.
Shortly after, Reid made another fine save when he turned a shot from Luke Edwards out for an unproductive corner.
Runcorn were under pressure at this stage, but equally they were defending well and keeping the hosts at bay.
Town finally created an opening when Shaun Weaver broke through the Vauxhall rearguard. His low, fierce shot was well held by Leigh at the foot of a post.
Vauxhall then had an opportunity when Joe Brandon had his shot cleared by John Shaw.
Runcorn pressed forward, and following some neat play by Harry Brazel and Menagh, the latter put Joe Heath clear down the left touchline. From his cross, an unmarked Weaver headed the ball inches wide of the target from six yards.
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Weaver, in his unusual centre forward role, was causing major problems to the home defence every time he got the ball and was winning numerous free-kicks for fouls on him.
Midway through the half, Runcorn went ahead. They broke from within their own penalty area, Shaw heading a loose ball clear to Paul McManus. He immediately split the home defence to send skipper Simon Thelwell clear.
The Runcorn captain took the ball around the advancing Leigh before shooting into the unguarded net.
Marksman Thelwell then set up Menagh who hit a dipping volley from 25 yards that was just inches over the bar.
Runcorn were pressing for a second goal and it was forward Weaver who brought an excellent save out of Leigh who tipped his low, goalbound strike out for a corner.
In first half stoppage-time, Town doubled their advantage.
Following some great play from Brazel and Weaver whose shot was blocked, the ball broke kindly in the box for Thelwell to hammer it home from 15 yards.
The Ellesmere Port club started the second period well, forcing Runcorn back into their own half.
A foul on Menagh by Joe Brand earned him a booking.
Weaver was also being subjected to numerous fouls but earned his reward in the 54th minute. Although his shot was blocked, the ball rebounded straight into the path of teammate Brazel who blasted it low into the net from fully 25 yards.
Not long after, Weaver was tackled from behind and sent sprawling to the turf by the foul.
Inexplicably to everyone looking on, the referee sent Weaver off and awarded a free-kick to Vauxhall when he clearly blew for the challenge on the Runcorn man.
Down to 10 men, Runcorn boss Chris Herbert brought on defender Ste Wainwright for Liam Turner followed within a minute by Leon Wright for Thelwell.
Vauxhall created a couple of chances with the extra man now proving an advantage to them.
Cutting in from the left, Brandon hit a powerful shot that was rising as it cleared the Runcorn crossbar.
Three minutes from time, Stuart McDonald came on as Runcorn’s final substitute for Menagh and was unlucky when he created an opening but his shot just went over the target.
Carl Rodgers was having a fine game in the centre of midfield for Runcorn aided by McManus and Brazel, the trio proving to be the difference in what had been an entertaining encounter.
In stoppage time, Motors grabbed a consolation goal.
David Webb, a new signing from Marine, created the goal when he broke through only to see his shot come back off a post. The ball fell nicely to Ben Holmes who hit it first time into the net.
Town’s reward for defeating Motors is a trip to Newcastle Benfield in the third round of the competition. The tie will be played on Saturday, December 1.