Hinckley Utd 0Vauxhall Motors 1
SECURING their first win of 2008 against fellow relegation battlers Hinckley has renewed the sense of optimism in the Vauxhall Motors camp.
A heavy fog of doom was beginning to gather around the Motormen, who lie second from bottom in the table, as they searched for their first victory of the year to kick-start their survival fight.
But on Monday at Hinckley they regained their fighting spirit to beat and leapfrog their hosts – bringing themselves just one point from escaping the relegation zone.
After a fairly evenly matched first half in which new signing Craig Robinson took the captaincy and shored up the defence, boss Andy Mutch rang the changes.
He replaced midfielder Keith Smith with defender Russell Hitchen on 50 minutes and, just six minutes later, the former Bury trainee opened his Motors account, latching on to a ball 20 yards out and smashing a great strike in off the post.
Toward the end of the game, Hinckley threw everything at Motors and Lloyd Rigby pulled of a top-class save to protect his clean sheet.
Tom Field then came close to doubling Motors’ lead but his effort went just over the bar.
Boss Mutch said: “It was crucial that we got a win. That improves our survival chances and well done to the boys, they fought hard for it.
“It was good for Russell to get his first goal for the club as well. It will do his confidence the world of good but that win should boost the whole squad’s confidence.”
Meanwhile, it looks as though Paul Taylor may remain at Motors at least until the summer.
Despite interest from both Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, who each had him on trial, the only firm bid for the 20- year-old striker has come from Chester City, who had a £50,000 offer turned down.
The January transfer window shuts tomorrow, so time is running out for any clubs who want to buy Taylor.
Motors chairman Alan Bartlam said: “It is unlikely Paul will move during this window now. We have had an inkling that something may happen but nothing has materialised so it is likely he will be with us for the rest of the season.”
Taylor is contracted to Motors until the end of next season.
Motors are without a league fixture this weekend. Their next match is a Cheshire Senior Cup semi-final tie at Altrincham on Tuesday.
