Vauxhall Motors . . . 1, Workington Town . . . 0

by Alan Bartlam

WITH half term fast approaching, Conference club Vauxhall Motors are inviting all school pupils to attend their two home Nationwide North fixtures next week, free of charge, provided they are accompanied by a paying adult.

Owen Brown's side, now unbeaten in their last five matches and through to the final qualifying round of the FA Cup, play host to last season's Unibond Premier Division champions Hucknall Town on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) and that is followed three days later (Tuesday, October 26, 7.45pm) by their first-ever match against Worcester City at Rivacre Park, both of which promise to be attractive affairs.

On Saturday, the Motormen booked their passage into the final qualifying round of the FA Cup by edging a close tie at Rivacre Park 1-0 against Unibond Premier League high-fliers Workington. The hosts always had just that little bit extra guile - they dominated the second-half - but had to wait until the 82nd minute before they finally broke the deadlock, when Peter Cumiskey raced onto a long ball and, holding off his marker, he fired home the winner from the edge of the area.

Vauxhall goalkeeper Tim Dittmer has been nominated for The FA's prestigious FA Cup 'Player of the Round' award after his memorable third qualifying round performance.

Dittmer's heroics, including three superb saves in the final minutes of the game, were the highlight of Motors' hard-fought victory.

Now Vauxhall fans are being urged to voice their support for Dittmer by voting in an on-line poll at www.TheFA.com

Fans have just seven days to register their support as votes must be cast by 9am on Monday (October 25).

If he wins, as well as being crowned 'Player of the Round', Dittmer will win £1,000 worth of UMBRO football kit and equipment for a local school, club or organisation of his choice. He will also receive an engraved silver salver.

Dittmer would be the third player to join The FA's Team of The FA Cup, guaranteeing VIP attendance at The FA Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, May 21, 2005.