North West Counties

League Division

One South

St Martins 0

Vauxhall Motors 0

St MARTINS had to share the points with their visitors after a very competitive 90 minutes of football at Park Hall Stadium on Saturday.

Visiting Vauxhall came into the game bottom of the form table after a run of six games without a win.

That run was extended to seven after a well-fought game that saw both sides come close on occasions.

The Saints were denied a goal before the break when Jordan Davies’ effort was ruled offside.

Both sides were unable to score in the second half and each took a point from the fixture.

It was a first half that the hosts will feel they had the better of.

Despite an early long-range effort palmed away by George Austin, the goalkeeper had a relatively quiet half as the Saints looked to put themselves ahead.

The first notable chance came for St Martins after some good play in midfield between Jack Bates and David Easthope eventually found Davies whose shot was caught well by the visiting keeper.

Davies was the spearhead of a number of attacks for the hosts, and it looked as though he had opened the scoring on the afternoon when he found the net on the stroke of half time.

A corner found him close to goal and he was able to guide it into the net, however the officials ruled it offside and the sides went in at the break all-square.

Dan Steven’s players carried their first half performance into the start of the second period as the continued to look for an opener.

A great defence splitting pass by Bates looked as though it would be met by Brendon Price, but the visiting keeper was able to rush out and clear away any danger for his side.

Chances were hard to come by for both teams after an hour of play, but the Saints managed to produce a handful of efforts on goal as the game drew to a close.

The Saints have now picked up four points from their last two home games in the league after their 3-1 win over Cheadle Town in midweek.

Goals from Price, Davies and Karl Bailey gave them three points despite a late own goal denying them a clean sheet.

Their last two results mean they are now just six points behind league leaders Abbey Hulton United having played the same amount of games.

St Martins are in midweek action tonight when they travel to face Wem Town at Bowens Field in the second round of the Shropshire Cup (KO7.45pm).

They return to league action on Saturday when they host in-form Wythenshawe Town at Park Hall Stadium (KO 3pm).