Altrincham 1 Vauxhall Motors 3

Alty bowed out of the Cheshire Senior Cup at the first round stage as former Robin Kevin Ellison found the net twice for the Northern Premier League West leading visitors.

Alty started on the front foot with winger Lucas Weaver, fresh off four goals during a loan stint with Bamber Bridge, firing over from range within the first couple of minutes.

The game quickly became difficult for the Robins, however, when Owen German was sent off after just six minutes for taking down Ellison who was through on goal.

It took the visitors nearly 20 minutes to make their numerical advantage tell as Ellison looped a header beyond Harvey Randle off a Isaac Godwin cross from the left.

Alty then had Randle to thank for keeping the scoreline down as he twice denied Jordan Deer with superb reflex saves in quick succession.

Olly Crankshaw, making his first start since returning from injury, jinked his way into the Motors' box before firing just over, and Jake Bickerstaff forced Atkinson into a smart stop, as the home side tried to force the issue close to the break.

Then the equaliser appeared in the form of a Max Haygarth who slammed a shot in off the bar after good work from Crankshaw.

The Robins deserved to go in level at the break and created the first meaningful chance of the second half when Weaver clipped a effort across Atkinson and just wide.

Visiting dangerman Ellison then skied a shot over from six yards and Randle saved by Jawad Jebrin, with the game settling into a pattern of midfield endeavour interspersed by fleeting chances.

But it wasn't long before Ellison was back at it; the veteran forward converting from close in on 63 minutes to put the visitors back in front.

Tricky winger Jebrin almost put the game beyond Alty soon after, hammering an effort off the crossbar after cutting in from the left side.

Fellow winger Deer also went close with a dipping shot from distance, and although Alty tried to force the issue late on, it was the visiting Motormen who finished strongest, forcing an own goal from Sekouba Kamara, before playing out for victory and a place in round two. 

Altrincham Randle; Bailey, Crankshaw (Cooper, 46'), Edwards (Mannion, 81'), Kosylo (c), Humbles (Kamara, 64'), Weaver, German, Wilson, Haygarth (Raymond, 81'), Bickerstaff. Subs not used: Beddow.

Vauxhall Motors Atkinson; Harrison, Godwin, Jones, Dufton-Kelly, Hoppe (Rushton, 62'), Jebrin (Dunne, 69'), Kay, Ellison (c) (Holmes, 88'), Quarless, Deer (Nugent, 78'). Subs not used: Mbolokele.

HT 1-1

Goals Haygarth 38' | Ellison 22', 63', Own Goal 86'

Yellows None | None

Reds German 6' | None

Referee George Easton

Assistants Harry Winters & Thomas Fox

Attendance 307

Next Up

We're off down south to face Braintree Town on Saturday in the Vanarama National League (3pm).

Tickets for the clash at the Rare Breed Meat Co. Stadium can be bought here priced £20 Adults, £15 Concessions, £10 under-18s & £5 under-12s (plus booking fee).

Union Golf Road away travel is also available to book for this game here.