Vauxhall Motors take on Mossley at The VanEupen Arena Saturday afternoon (Nov 4) in Northern Premier League Division One West action. 

It will be Danny Holmes’ third game in charge of The Motormen. Vauxhall have picked up four points from his opening two matches, which have both been played in Ellesmere Port too, against sides towards the top of the division in Clitheroe and Leek Town. 

Mossley have been struggling on the road this season, winning just two of their six fixtures. However, they will look to kick on from their 2-0 win last time out away at Hanley Town.

The last time the two clubs came head-to-head was in mid-September when Vauxhall won 2-0 at Mossley to progress through to the next round of The Isuzu FA Trophy. 

A lot has happened since. 

The managers

This will be Danny Holmes’ third game as manager of Vauxhall Motors following Mick McGraa’s move to Bootle. It is Holmes’ first managerial role, having previously coached at Connah’s Quay Nomads and Colwyn Bay whilst also being successful with his Elite Development Academy on Wirral’s Woodchurch estate. He is assisted by ‘best friend’ Glenn Rule. 

Mossley’s man in charge is David Fish, having been appointed in June 2020. The 42-year-old, who was an audit director at Price Waterhouse Cooper at the time of his appointment, had also managed Chadderton for two-and-a-half years in the North West Counties League. Fish was a goalkeeper in his playing days, a member of Stalybridge Celtic’s treble-winning side in 2001, and is assisted by Lee Answorth.

The danger men

Vauxhall – Conor Harwood and Ben Holmes have both netted four times this season but defender Adam Hughes is worth watching when the hosts have a set piece. He has struck from here in The Motormen’s last two games. 

Mossley –  25-year-old Oumar Camara, who played for current manager Fish at Chadderton too, has netted seven goals this campaign in 16 games. He signed for the club in August 2022. Jack Banister is another worth keeping an eye on, he’s struck four times this season. 

The weaknesses

Vauxhall have conceded a great 24 goals this campaign as their goal difference stands at eight. This often means that their games end in high scorelines, adding to the excitement as seen in Halloween’s 3-3 draw at home to Leek Town. However, it is certainly something that manager Holmes could do with sorting if he is to be successful with his new club.

Mossley’s issue has to be their form on the road, having lost four of their six outings. This is something that Vauxhall will look to take full advantage of this weekend. 

The form 

Last six games form table: Vauxhall 15th Mossley 17th

Vauxhall are positioned 14th in The Northern Premier League Division One West table after picking up 14 points from 12 games. The Motormen could have been four places higher if they kept hold of their lead against Leek Town on Tuesday night. However, the visitors netted late through Daniel Trickett-Smith to snatch a point. 

Mossley are positioned 8th, averaging 1.5 points from their 12 games. Due to the tight nature of the division they are only five points off the top despite only winning two of their last six outings.

The head-to-head

This will be the second meeting between the two sides, thus The Motors will look to keep hold of their 100% winning record. 

 

 

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