Motors left in cold

VAUXHALL Motors chairman Alan Bartlam is confident the club’s Blue Square Bet North home game with Gainsborough on Saturday will go ahead (3pm).

Motors’ match against Workington on Monday was postponed two and a half hours before kick-off after a heating breakdown left the Rivacre Park dressing rooms like “iceboxes”.

It capped a difficult festive period – off the field at least – for the Ellesmere Port outfit, who had already seen the Boxing Day visit of Droylsden called off because of snow.

But Bartlam said on Tuesday: “I would expect the problem to be resolved before the weekend as we’ve got four working days.”

At least a superb New Years Day 3-1 victory at promotion-chasing Droylsden, secured by goals from Andy Nicholas, captain Josh Wilson and top-scorer Obi Anoruo, has kept spirits up in Carl Macualey’s camp.

Bartlam was grateful for the understanding of the Workington club, whose coach driver had to turn back having already reached the M56.

Motors officials had spent five and a half hours on Sunday ensuring everything was ready after problems with burst pipes and electrics.

Bartlam said: “When we got there at about noon on Monday we were confronted by new problems.

“We had no heating in the dressing room, a new burst in the ladies’ toilet and the canteen was under a few inches of water.

“We couldn’t believe how cold the dressing rooms actually were. They were like iceboxes.”

Motors, who are up to 13th, make the return trip to Gainsborough on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Lethal Lee the hero

LEE Butterworth was the scourge of Saltney Ferry as Vicars Cross Dynamos moved three points clear at the top of Chester & District Sunday League Concorde Trophies Section A.

Second-placed Saltney were seemingly on their way to a derby victory at home to Corner Pin when Paul Hollifield (pen) and Stuart McInosh (2) fired them into a 3-1 lead. But hot-shot Butterworth notched a second-half double to complete his hat-trick and earn Pin a point.

Vicars Cross took full advantage of their title rivals’ slip by winning 5-1 at FC Blacon, who would have gone into the break level had they not fluffed two first-half penalties.

Relieved by the let off, the pacesetters romped home with goals from Chris Williams (2), Leon Gough (2) and Sean Finch. Adam Cheers replied.

A Dan Riley double and a Danny Delgado special ensured Dee Rangers edged a ding-dong affair 3-2 at home to Highfield Quinplex, who had battled back thanks to Ross Broadbent’s brace.

AFC Lache hauled themselves up to second in Chester Chronicle Section B with a 7-4 success at Saltney SC.

Jamie Kelley (2), Martin Tarbuck (2), Jake Johnson, Sam Walsh and Tony Harris did the damage, with Tom Shone, Dale Parker and Sam Buckley reducing the deficit.

Piper (Alan Hutchinson 2, Mick Jones and Dave Reynolds) got 2011 off to a flying start with a 4-2 win at Waverton (Craig Owen, Dean Phoenix).

Wingmakers swoop

CRAIG Harrison has boosted Airbus UK Broughton’s bid for a top-six Welsh Premier League finish by bolstering his squad with two new signings.

The Wingmakers boss has swooped for Colwyn Bay goal-machine Ian Sheridan and midfielder Eddie Hope from Ellesmere Rangers.

Winger-turned-striker Sheridan is a familiar name to non-league football fans in the area. It was his 22 goals that fired the Bay – then managed by current Chester FC boss Neil Young – into the Evo-Stik League Premier Division last season.

The 21-year-old has been signed for a four-figure fee and has penned a two-year contract.

Hope is less well known, but the 24-year-old immediately endeared himself to his new supporters with a man-of-the-match performance in Airbus’ 2-1 victory at basement boys Bala Town on Sunday.

Harrison, who has lost squad player Tom Rowlands to league rivals Newtown, said: “I am delighted to have them both on board, both players add something to the squad that we didn’t have before they arrived.”

Carl Owen and Giovanni Feliciello got the goals in the win over Bala – a win which moved Harrison’s in-form side up to fifth.

The Wingmakers welcome fourth-placed Prestatyn Town to the Airfield tomorrow – the Seasiders fresh from ending runaway leaders Bangor City’s 17-game unbeaten start to the season – before making the trip to Aberystwyth Town on Tuesday (both 7.30pm).

Let the games begin

THE West Cheshire League, Chester & District League and Cheshire League swing back into action on Saturday.

See Football in detail for all the fixtures.