THE Motormen gained revenge on the side that had surprisingly dumped them out of last season's UniBond League Cup competition as they grabbed their first win under new boss Owen Brown last night, writes Christopher Beesley.
Brown, who handed debuts to Mike Kinsella, Paul Robertson and the returning Carl Spell-man, said: 'It's a big relief to get a victory. The lads played well and got the goals they deserved. It was also pleasing to keep a clean sheet as the goals had been flying in from all over the place when I came here. You can't sort something like that out in 10 minutes but, hopefully, some of the things we're trying to implement are now coming into place.'
The clean sheet kept by keeper Kinsella was Vauxhall's first since caretaker boss Paul Rowlands' first home game almost two months ago, but he had to survive an early scare.
Rossendale striker Lee Cryer intercepted an underhit back-pass from Kevin Lynch, but his shot sailed over the bar.
Visiting keeper Matt Andrews had already been in action, rushing to stop Terry Fearns, by the time the Motormen went ahead on 20 minutes.
Rossendale's Greg Challinder and Matt Woods misjudged a bouncer and Peter Cumiskey nipped between them to score.
Vauxhall had a strong penalty appeal turned down after the break when Bird seemed to handle Hugh McAuley's cross. But they doubled their lead on 65 minutes.
Fearns capitalised on another defensive mix-up but unselfishly squared the ball to Cumiskey who was in space to score from 12 yards out.
The Motormen saved their best until last as Fearns latched on to a measured pass from Lynch, cut inside from the left and picked out Robbie Lawton who fired in a low volley.
Vauxhall: Kinsella, Spellman, McDermott, Robinson, McAuley, Lynch, Nesbitt (Griffiths 74), Lawton, Fearns (Whelan 83), Robertson, Cumiskey (McCann 78). The Motormen go to Alfreton Town in the FA Trophy. There is no Tuesday fixture unless a re-play is needed.
