Defence found guilty

Sep 26 2008 Chester Chronicle

Hyde Utd 3 Vauxhall M 1

DEFENSIVE failings haunted Motors at Ewan Fields on Saturday as they slumped to a fourth league defeat of the season.

Carl Macauley’s visitors started strongly and Alan Griffiths went close with a header from a superb fifth-minute corner from James Holden.

The same combination almost produced a goal for Motors on 20 minutes, Holden swinging in a corner before Griffiths saw his header tipped over by Hyde keeper Craig Dootson.

It was one-way traffic and, soon after, Tom Rooney toe-poked wide from close range after Ged Brannan had headed on a Holden free- kick.

But Vauxhall were made to pay for their profligacy on 27 minutes when Hyde’s David Owens danced through the static defence and coolly placed the ball beyond James Coates to make it 1-0.

It got worse for the Ellesmere Port side four minutes later as Chris Simm chased down a long ball which Coates should have dealt with easily. Instead, the Motors keeper missed it completely and Simm placed the ball into the empty net.

With half-time approaching, Vauxhall got themselves back into the game through Karl Noon, who chased down a through ball and poked it beyond the on-rushing Dootson.

But Motors’ hard work was undone less than a minute into the second half when Hyde bagged a killer third goal.

Once again, the Vauxhall defence was left exposed as Coates could only palm a cross into the path of Nicky Clee, who had the simplest of tap-ins to make it 3-1.

Motors have a tricky looking FA Cup second qualifying round assignment tomorrow when they head to high-flying Blue Square North rivals Southport (3pm).

Their next home game is a rearranged league meeting with Blyth Spartans on Tuesday. Kick- off is 7.45pm.

Vauxhall are desperately seeking help with the running of the club, especially on match days. Anyone interested in helping out can contact chairman Alan Bartlam on 0151 639 3955 for further information.

Vauxhall Youth play Formby away in the next round of the FA Youth Cup on Sunday (1pm).