A DEPLETED Vauxhall side carried on their fine pre-season form by winning their opening league fixture at Alfreton Town on Saturday, writes Paul Hassall.
A fine performance ensured the Motormen left Derbyshire with their first-ever victory at the Impact Arena.
Manager Owen Brown was delighted with the three points and said: 'It's very pleasing to get a result here. It's somewhere where we have never won previously, so I'm really glad we've got off the mark.
'I thought we more than deserved to win it. Had we had a little bit of luck we might have had a couple more goals. I'm really pleased with the lads, they worked ever so hard.'
Motormen took just two minutes to open their account for the new campaign as new signing Sam McNutt released livewire striker Leighton McGivern, who sidestepped home keeper Shaun Bodkin before firing the visitors ahead.
Vauxhall could have easily doubled their advantage within minutes as they surged forward, but Alfreton keeper Bodkin thwarted efforts from Brian Moogan and Paul Addo.
With the Motormen dominant, Bodkin was called into further action, performing heroics as he kept out two fine efforts from McGivern.
The home side were well below par and failed to produce a clear-cut chance in the opening period, with Neil Ross's effort the best they could manage.
Having failed to confirm their superiority with more goals in the first half, Vauxhall were given a warning of things to come just after the restart when Moogan was forced to clear from his own goal line.
A resurgent Alfreton swept forward with a greater impetus and drew level on 52 minutes, when they were awarded a free-kick just out-side the penalty area.
Chris White stepped up and curled a fine effort into the top left corner just beyond the reach of Tim Dittmer.
With the game finely poised, Jason Blunt went close for the home side before Vauxhall regained their composure and control of the game.
On 75 minutes, McGivern's left-wing cross was met by the outstanding Steve McNulty, who chested the ball down before blasting it into the net from eight yards out to clinch victory.
Vauxhall: Dittmer, Woodyatt, Mc-Dermott, McNutt (Szmid 80), McN-ulty, Brazier, Addo (Duffy 63), Lawton, McGivern, Moogan, Cumiskey. Attendance: 283.
