Spot-on for glory

Nov 28 2002 By Christopher Beesley, Ellesmere Port Pioneer

AFTER watching his FA Cup heroes humble Second Division QPR at Loftus Road last night, Vauxhall boss Alvin McDonald claimed that the sensational result that had shocked the footballing nation had come a no surprise to him.

He said: 'I just knew that we would win. I always thought that there was another twist in this fairytale and our achievements just get better each year.

'I reckoned we'd be in with a chance if we could just keep them out for the first 20 minutes, so it was awful to go a goal down 18 minutes in.

'But our response to going behind was terrific and it sparked a real purple patch for ourselves.

'The standing ovation that we received from the QPR fans at the end summed everything up for us but it was a smashing response.

'We rode our luck at times but you can't fault our efforts and with several of our play-ers being released from league clubs at an early age, this was their chance to shine on the big stage. Sometimes you just need someone to be looking down on you.'

Vauxhall chairman Tony Woodley was also delighted with his team's achievement that has booked a money-spinning Sky TV clash at Macclesfield Town on Saturday, December 7.

He said: 'It's the sort of thing that dreams are made of and it's an historic day for the club.

'We've shown that Vaux-hall are not just a work's team but a town team who represent the whole of Ellesmere Port.

'Our ambition is to reach the Conference and the funds raised by this FA Cup run will go a long way to covering the costs necessary to bring Rivacre Park up to the required standards.'

Andrew Miller, MP for Ellesmere Port & Neston, was delighted with the all-round performance that earned the historic win.

He said: 'They're a credit to the community and have put Ellesmere Port back on the footballing map. This is the sort of thing that really inspires kids to go out and play the game.' Vauxhall host Frickley Athletic in the FA Trophy on Saturday (3pm) and will be at home to Runcorn in the league on Tuesday (7.45pm) unless a Trophy replay is required.