NEW-LOOK Vauxhall Motors have been tipped to get off to a flying start to the Blue Square Bet North season.

Carl Macauley’s men kick-off their campaign with a trip to Northamptonshire to take on bogey team Corby Town on Saturday (3pm).

They then welcome a promoted Bradford Park Avenue side, buzzing after an impressive pre-season, to Rivacre Park on Tuesday for their first home game (7.45pm).

A visit of an Altrincham outfit expected to feature last season’s top scorer in the league, 44-goal Damian Reeves, follows on Saturday week.

The Cheshire derby completes a tricky opening set of fixtures for Motors, who have undergone a major overhaul in the summer.

But chairman Alan Bartlam said: ‘Some might say we have a testing opening few games but to me they are also winnable.

“We start at Corby on Saturday, where we haven't enjoyed much success in recent times, but I think we can go there and gain a real confidence-boosting result, ahead of our home double against newly promoted Bradford Park Avenue and then against highly rated Altrincham.”

Motors boss Macauley put the finishing touches to his squad late last week by signing three players.

James Ellison, 20, is a former England Under 16s international who started his career at Liverpool and counts Burton Albion, Chester FC, Hyde and – most recently – Southport among his former clubs.

Winger Dan Parkinson has returned for a second spell on loan with the Ellesmere Port club from Morecambe. The 19-year-old, who scored two goals in 13 appearances for Motors last season, has signed a two-month deal.

Macauley has also snapped up vastly-experienced former Swindon Town and Barrow centre-back Andrew Nicholas, 28.

Bartlam said: “This promises to be a pivotal season for Vauxhall Motors and I believe that manager Carl Macauley has assembled an excellent squad for what promises to be another terrifically exciting season at Rivacre Park.”

Motors, who can look to forward to encounters with newly promoted neighbours Chester FC this season, lost 3-1 at home to Witton Albion on Saturday in their final home friendly.

Danny Fearnehough, along with Craig Mahon, was also on target in the 2-1 win at Northwich Victoria last Tuesday.

Motors completed their pre-season preparations last night with a match at Airbus UK Broughton which took place after The Pioneer went to press.

The West Cheshire League season kicks off this weekend.

On Saturday Vauxhall Motors Reserves host Newton while Division One neighbours Ellesmere Port head to Cammell Laird Reserves (both 3pm).

The Chester & District League programme , which features a number of Ellesmere Port teams, gets under way with action on Monday night.