Vauxhalls lacked a cutting edge

11:16am Wednesday 27th August 2008

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HARROGATE TOWN 2 VAUXHALL MOTORS 0

A NEW-LOOK Vauxhalls side enjoyed a fair amount of possession in their opening game of the season but just lacked that cutting edge in front of goal.

The first decent chance of the game fell to Harrogate’s prolific striker Danny Holland but his effort was well saved by debutant keeper James Coates.

On 18 minutes, another Motorman debutant, James Holden was unlucky with a sweetly taken freekick which went just wide of the home keeper’s left-hand post.

Just as Vauxhalls had settled down, they were the victims of a harsh penalty decision on 33 minutes, when Lee Dames was adjudged to have brought down Matty Young. Captain Darren Dunning slotted home the penalty to make it 1-0 to Harrogate.

Vauxhalls continued to push forward with Burke and Rooney both having decent chances before the interval.

After the break Vauxhalls passed the ball about smoothly on the rain soaked pitch but just couldn’t finish. McFadden crossed on 51 minutes but there was no one in the box to put the ball in the net.

Holden and Rooney had further chances for a Vauxhalls side growing in confidence but on 75 minutes it was Dunning again who made it 2-0 for Harrogate. He made the most of a hesitant Vauxhall defence to slot home a Marshall cross from eight yards out.

There are plenty of positives Vauxhalls can take out of this game, especially the debuts of 6 new players for the Motormen.

On the eve of the new Blue Square North season, Vauxhall Motors finally received a firm offer for goalkeeper Lloyd Rigby from Stockport and after a little adjustment, agreed to transfer the former Rochdale player to County, in order that he could be named as a substitute in their opening League One encounter away at Huddersfield.

Rigby becomes the second Motors player to join a Football League club during the summer, following striker Paul Taylor’s move to nearby Chester City.