Fans-tastic

By Craig Haddock
June 19 2003

VMST followed suit of Vauxhall Motors senior team, by performing yet another cup shock. VMST won the Cheshire Triangular Trophy beating CCST and AST, to record their first win in their first game.

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Vauxhall Motors Supporters Team

VMST went into this competiton never kicking a ball together and the most unfancied to win. But after some great performances beat CCST 1-0 in the final after a Paul Hughes goal. The competition got off to a great start when a brace from both Paul Hughes and Steven Finlay saw the underdogs ease to a 4-0 victory on sporting Altrincham. Chester proved to much in the next match as a string of great saves from Chester shot-stopper Chris Rixham helped Chester to a 2-0 win. VMST's next game was against Altrincham which didn't prove as eventful, Alty took an early lead as keeper Chris "Pixie" Jones handled outside his area and from the resulting free-kick saw Alty score their first of the campaign, Steve Finlay pulled things level, only to be robbed of the winner with seconds to go, a controversial refereeing decision deciding it never crossed the line.

The return match against CCST was next up, and going 1-0 down early on didn't help matters, Dan Riley pulled one back only to see VMST to be 2-1 down. But great spirit by VMST saw the fight back of the tournament with Steve Finlay scoring his fourth goal of the tournament, which saw him the top all-time VMST scorer, James Adams then came up to volley home the winner off a Finlay cross. VMST full-back Phil Reid was injured when he collided with William Nutall, which saw "Reidy" doubtful for the Final. No rest for CCST as they went straight out to beat Altrincham 2-1.

The final saw great defensive partenership between injured Phil Reid and VMST player of the tournament Mike Cooper, Paul Hughes grabbed the winner against the giant 6'4" ex-England school boy Chris Rixham, with moments to go VMST had their only defensive confusion which saw Cooper have to make a off the line clearance which proved vital.

The victory was made to taste sweeter as CCST's expectations of VMST wasn't very high. CCST star Will Morten told www.chestercityfc.tk in a pre-tournament interview, "I am very very confident that we can be victorious against lesser inexperienced competition."

VMST honourable Mentions go to Keeper Pixie Jones and top scorer Steven Finlay, with the player of the tournament being the central defensive rock Mike Cooper. Complete Match reports will follow soon .

Cheshire Triangular Trophy

VMST 4-0 AST

CCST 2-0 VMST

AST 0-1 CCST

AST 1-1 VMST

VMST 3-2 CCST

CCST 2-1 AST