Football: Vauxhall Motors go to Southport believing they can survive without other Blue Square North clubs folding

VAUXHALL Motors may still be sitting in the relegation zone after not playing on Saturday, but chairman Alan Bartlam (pictured) still has faith that they can pull themselves out of trouble without relying on the financial troubles of their rivals.

Northwich Victoria are the latest Blue Square North side to stand on the precipice of financial disaster after Farsley Celtic’s record was expunged. If Vics were wound up and kicked out of the league, it would give Carl Macauley’s side – who are second from bottom having played significantly more games than their rivals – a much improved chance of survival.

Motors have five games left to decide their season and Bartlam is convinced the Rivacre Park outfit will be masters of their own destiny come the end of the season.

He said: “We have just five games left to pull ourselves out of the relegation places and we know it will not be an easy task – but it can be done.

“Results throughout this season have seen us doing really well against the leading clubs in the division, as we proved again in our last game at Northwich, but failing to defeat the teams in the lower reaches. That has been our downfall – but could also be our salvation.”

Motors’ next game is at Southport this Saturday (3pm). Featuring former Motorman Rob Marsh-Evans, the Sandgrounders at one stage looked as if they would run away with the Blue Square North title this season.

But in recent weeks they seem to have been doing all they can to throw it away as Fleetwood Town have leapfrogged them. Motormen will be keen to capitalise on Southport’s title jitters.

“Our next few games are against decent sides, Southport, Stafford and Stalybridge,” said Bartlam.

“On paper we would not have much of a chance but we have been defying the odds against these sorts of clubs all season, so why not carry on the trend?

“We end the campaign against Redditch and another leading club, AFC Telford, who could be homing in on a play-off place – that would suit us to a tee.

“So we remain confident that we do have the ability to complete our escape, without having to resort to other issues of clubs failing to look after their finances.”