McGRAA’S BOYS ARE MOTORING!
VAUXHALL Motors claimed their place in the last 16 of the FA Vase with a deserved victory against a Newcastle Benfield side who lost their discipline late on with both Reece Noble and Matthew Parker seeing red.
It’s now 14 wins in a row for the North West Counties League high-fliers, who are fast showing why they could be serious contenders to contest the Wembley final come May and bring back the glory days to a club who were forced to withdraw from Conference North and return to the West Cheshire League in March 2014 for financial reasons.
Second-half goals from Joe Brandon and Kieran Hamm clinched their win here – the latter’s goal coming from the penalty spot after he had been brought down in the box by Noble who was dismissed for his challenge.
“We had several players out today due to injury and suspension, but I keep saying we have a great squad and today proved it,” said delighted boss Mick McGraa.
“We showed grit and determination in the first half which kept us in the tie, but in the second half we were outstanding and fully deserved the win.”
Benfield had come closest to taking the lead as veteran striker Paul Brayson – still a constant threat at the age of 42 – fired in a crisp effort that was well saved by Ryan Crump.
But, despite their dominance of the ball, the home side couldn’t find a way past visiting keeper Andrew Grainger.
Lewis Willingham had seen his shot from the edge of the box dealt with comfortably while Glenn Rule sent an effort over the bar after neat play from Brandon.
Michael Burkey too failed to find the net with arguably his side’s best chance of the half when firing well over after Rule had found him in space with a delightful through ball.
Motors came out after the break with a bit more fire in their bellies as they searched for the opener. Greg Drummond’s early effort was blocked by Bradley Varga in the sixyard box with the home players claiming the defender had used his arm to no avail.
But they didn’t have to wait long to make the breakthrough. On 58 minutes, Rule capitalised on a defensive lapse to play in Brandon and the wide man in turn fired under Grainger and into the net.
A flurry of substitutions from the visitors brought renewed energy to their attack with Dennis Knight tricking his way into the box only to see his goalbound effort turned away for a corner.
Fellow sub Noble was soon in the action picking up a booking for a rash challenge before his foul on home sub Hamm prematurely ended both his short time on the pitch and the game as a contest. Hamm did the rest from the spot.
Benfield boss Stuart Elliott was magnanimous in defeat, adding: “We started well but once Vauxhall got the bit between their teeth there was only one team going to win it.
“They were quicker and stronger than us today and I can’t complain about the result.”