COLWYN BAY'S hopes of stretching their unbeaten run in 2012 to seven matches was put on ice when Saturday's home match against Bishop's Stortford (Feb 4th) was called off today (Friday) due to a frozen pitch.
The Hertfordshire side had asked for an early decision as they were planning to travel north today for an overnight stay. Even with the forecast of rain on Saturday morning, the Llanelian Road pitch is frozen so hard the likelihood is that it would still have been unfit for play.
The Seagulls' next scheduled game is at home to Boston United on Tuesday (Feb 7th).
COLWYN BAY player-boss Jon Newby has been named Blue Square Bet North's January Manager of the Month - just three months after taking the job.
The Seagulls have had an exceptional month, with four wins (all away from home) and a draw in five league games to move into the top eight of the table.
The 33-year-old ex-Liverpool and Bury striker, who scored the winning goal in last May's Play-off final victory over FC United of Manchester to secure promotion to the Conference North, took over the reins when the previous management team of Dave Challinor and Colin Woodthorpe moved to AFC Fylde at the beginning of November.
He brought in ex-Everton forward Stuart Barlow as assistant manager to help guide the team through a difficult period, and he said yesterday: "Obviously to win an award like this so early in a managerial career is very pleasing, but I see it more as an award for the whole squad and particularly the other backroom staff.
"Myself, Stu and Baz (club physio Baz Taylor) work very closely as a team and this is every bit their award - and of course we are nothing without the players. Once they go onto the pitch there is not much we can do, and they have shown tremendous desire and commitment to earn the success we have had over the last month."
Colwn Bay now have a run of four successive home games and Newby added: "It is very nice to get individual awards, but the most important thing for me now is that we carry on picking up points and continue to make progress up the table."
ROB HOPLEY headed home with the match ball in his bag after notching his first hat-trick in nearly a year in Colwyn Bay's extraordinary 4-0 away victory at Stalybridge Celtic.
His three goals came in the space of just nine minutes either side of half-time, after Stalybridge had full-back Andy McWilliams sent off, and was his first treble since he got three at Bradford Park Avenue on February 2nd last year.
It took his recent goals tally to six in his last five games and he said himself afterwards this was probably his best performance since he came back from his bad knee injury.
"I hope there is plenty more goals to come," he smiled.
I understand that Stu Barlow and Jon Newby have been working hard with Rob and the team's attacking play in training and that really seems to be paying off now.
Newby agreed: "Everything he touches seems to be going in at the moment and that is great for him. He deserves it for the hard work he has put in and he was outstanding today. He won everything in the air and his finishes were top drawer."
But the player-boss was quick to point out that it was very much a team effort.
"The workrate all the lads put in, even when we were 4-0 up, was exceptional and that is what we want to build on," he said.
"We are so pleased with the work the lads are putting in, in training as well as in matches and we are reaping the benefit of that.
"We've got a lot of people in the team that probably don't get the credit they deserve - people who do what I call 'the dirty jobs' like Fraser (McLachlan), Evo (Gaz Evans) and John Mac (McKenna), as well as the two full-backs, and they help give us a really good squad."
McKenna gave another stand out performance in midfield, while Frank Sinclair again marshalled the back four superbly to keep a fifth consecutive clean sheet.
"There is a real desire not only to win but to keep the clean sheets and that breeds confidence," said Newby.
"It helps massively to have Frank (Sinclair) in there organising and talking to the younger players, but you need everybody else to show the desire and commitment to make it all work."
The straight red card of Celtic left-back Andy McWilliams on 36 minutes for diving in to a tackle on McKenna with his studs showing, was clearly a big turning point in the game.
Celtic had started the brighter and had twice gone close through Greg Wilkinson, but within nine minutes of the sending off the Bay were 2-0 up with both goals coming from attacks down that side where McWilliams had been playing.
Hopley got his first on 41 minutes with a near post header from Newby's excellent cross and then Shelton Payne switched wings to drive into the area and from his low cross, Newby's deft lay-off allowed Hopley to fire a right footed shot into the bottom corner of the net on the stroke of half-time.
In between Sinclair and Mike Lea had thrown themselves in the way of a Chris Lynch shot to deny Stalybridge an equaliser and that typified the commitment that the side showed throughout.
Hopley completed his hat-trick five minutes into the second half when he outjumped his marker at the far post to send a looping header from Shelton Payne's perfect cross from the left over keeper Craig MacGillivray into the net.
Skipper Luke Denson then capped it off with a fantastic free kick curled over the wall and into the top corner of the net from 25 yards on 69 minutes after a storming run by Gaz Evans had been ended by a crude trip from behind which earned Wilkinson a booking.
"I have a feeling he (Denson) will be reminding us of that goal for a quite few weeks to come," laughed the boss.
Shelton Payne tried to top it with a spectacular first time volley from substitute Liam Benson's deep cross which would have been the goal of the season - only it flew over the bar.
Newby wasn't entirely convinced the sending off had too much of effect on the game. "Possibly, but I thought we were playing well before that anyway," he said.
"We knew they weren't in a great run of form and have conceded a lot of goals of late, and I think with the way we have been going, confidence wise we are flying."
The win lifts Colwyn Bay up to eighth place, and with four away wins and a home draw during January, Jon Newby must be favourite to be named Manager of the Month in the next week.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lea, Hughes, Sinclair, McKenna, Evans (Benson 75mins), McLachlan, Hopley (Davey 82mins), Newby, Payne (Noon 78mins). Subs not used: McEvilly and Meadowcroft.
ate: 529.
JON NEWBY must wait for a late fitness test on Shelton Payne before finalising his team for Saturday's trip to second-placed Stalybridge Celtic.
The speedy left winger, who celebrates his 23rd birthday next week, has set up the match winning goal in the Seagulls last two away games, but is a slight doubt because of a tight hamstring.
"Having not played for four or five weeks prior to joining us, Shelton has suffered a bit of reaction after playing three games in 11 days, but we are hopeful he will be okay," reported Newby.
If he is, then Newby looks set to stick to the same line-up that won 1-0 at Worcester City last weekend as Colwyn Bay look to stretch their unbeaten run to six games - which include four consecutive clean sheets.
Chris Sanna, Frank Sinclair, Fraser McLachlan, Jon Newby and Rob Hopley will all come back after being rested for Tuesday's 10-0 Coast Cup win over Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Stalybridge have seen their title aspirations badly dented during a poor run of form that has seen them fail to win any of their last six league games (three defeats and three draws) and they have conceded 13 goals in their last four league and cup outings.
That has seen the full-timers fall 12 points behind leaders and title rivals Hyde - albeit with three games in hand.
They still boast the division's second top scorer in Phil Marsh (19 goals), however, and have recently acquired attacking midfielder Djeny Bembo-Leta on loan from Oldham Athletic.
"We are on a decent run of form and our confidence is high at the moment, but they (Stalybridge) are not second in the table for nothing," warns Newby.
"It is a similar situation to last week at Worcester (who were also on a bad run of three straight defeats) and is important that we start well like we did then and don't give the opposition the chance to get their confidence back with an early goal."
If Colwyn Bay do extend their unbeaten run, it will maintain their top 10 position and could put Newby in the running for the January manager of the month award, along with Halifax's Neil Aspin if his side avoid defeat against Bishop's Stortford, after just three months in the job.
Colwyn Bay and Halifax go into Saturday's fixtures as the only sides still unbeaten during the month.
Colwyn Bay (from) Sanna, Denson, Lea, Hughes, Sinclair, McKenna, Evans, McLachlan, Hopley, Newby, Payne, Noon, Davey, McEvilly, Benson, King, Meadowcroft, Metcalf.
FOUR goals from Lee McEvilly led the way as holders Colwyn Bay beat Blaenau Ffestiniog 10-0 to cruise into the quarter finals of the North Wales Coast FA Challenge Cup - on a night when the club rewarded Llandudno-based midfielder Gareth Evans with a new 18-month contract.
The 24-year-old joined the Bay from Llandudno 17 months ago and player-boss Jon Newby said the contract was reward for his hard work and the improvement he has made since coming to the club.
"Gaz has been exceptional," said Newby. "He has made huge strides and is playing with such confidence now that he is a major part of our future plans."
Hopefully it is an example for other local players to follow and Gareth said he was delighted to have secured his future at the club until the end of next season.
"I have always wanted to stay here so when I was offered a contract I jumped at it; it was a no brainer," he said.
"I feel my game has improved since I have been here and hopefully that will continue and the team will carry on the form we have shown in the last few weeks.
"We had a bit of wobble after Chally (Dave Challinor) left, but the last four games we are back to how we know we can play. We are looking upwards now and the aim is to try and keep our current level of performance going and see where that takes us."
Evans was one of six first choice players given a night off against Blaenau, and that gave other squad players like Liam Benson, Chris King and Andy Metcalf a rare run out, while McEvilly celebrated his first start in six games with his four-goal haul.
Midfielder Jamie McKernan (ex-Southport), who has been training with the Bay over the last few weeks but has not previously been included in a squad, got a full game and did well, while assistant boss Stuart Barlow played the second half.
Benson was particularly impressive and Newby agreed: "Liam did well and he is unlucky that he has Luke Denson ahead of him in the pecking order, otherwise he would figure more regularly."
It was also good to see Danny Meadowcroft back in the fold and playing a full game after the traumas of the last few weeks with his twin baby daughter Evie.
Blaenau made the worst possible start by conceding an own goal in the opening two minutes when keeper Peter Jones let a back pass go under his foot and into the net, and it was pretty much one way traffic after that.
Colwyn Bay were 6-0 up by half-time with Shelton Payne scoring with an angled shot in off a post after four minutes and then crossing for Lee Davey to score the third.
McEvilly headed the fourth from a Karl Noon cross before Davey scored the best goal of the game with a super header from Liam Benson's cross.
McEvilly tapped in number six after the keeper miskicked an attempted clearance to complete a miserable first half for the Welsh Alliance side.
Karl Noon added the seventh three minutes into the second half when he broke clear and rounded the keeper and McEvilly completed his hat-trick from Lee Davey's cross on 73 minutes.
Blaenau, to their credit, had a real go in the second half, with Kieron Ellis going close with a shot just over the bar, but Colwyn Bay finished strongly after Noon got his second on 81 minutes to make it 9-0.
McEvilly (twice), Barlow and Luke Denson all went close before Barlow's pass set up McEvilly for his fourth and Colwyn Bay's 10th three minutes from the end.
The Seagulls now join Bangor City, Prestatyn Town and Rhyl in the quarter-finals.
Colwyn Bay: Metcalf, Benson, King, Meadowcroft, Hughes (Barlow 45mins), John McKenna (Denson 59mins), Davey, McKernan, McEvilly, Noon, Payne (Lea 57mins). Subs not used: Hopley and Sanna.
Attendance: 138.
COLWYN BAY start their defence of the North Wales Coast FA Challenge Cup with a first round tie against Welsh Alliance side Blaenau Ffestiniog at Llanelian Road's Red Lion Foods Stadium on Tuesday night (Feb 24th, 7.30pm).
Blaenau were drawn at home, but have agreed to switch the game against the cup holders to Colwyn Bay because they do not have floodlights., and the victotrs will join Prestatyn Town and Rhyl who are already through to the quarter-finals.
Seagulls player-boss Jon Newby is likely to give a game to squad members who have not been playing regularly, such as Liam Benson, Chris King, Lee McEvilly and reserve keeper Andy Metcalf.
Newby is also planning to give a game to midfielder Jamie McKernan, who was at Southport with Danny Lloyd and who is now registered with the Bay and has been training with the squad for the last three or four weeks.
Admission prices are reduced to £4 (adults) with £2 (concessions).
Tickets will also be on sale for this Friday night's excellent Elvis show with top impersonator Michael King.
COLWYN BAY made it three away wins in a row as they stretched their unbeaten run to four games with a third consecutive clean sheet in todays' excellent 1-0 victory at top 10 rivals Worcester City.
A goal from Rob Hopley, his third in four games, after 11 minutes won the game and has put them level on points with Worcester and back to only six points behind the top five.
More importantly, in the space of just three weeks, the Seagulls, who are still unbeaten in 2012, have doubled the gap between themselves and the relegation zone from a slightly precarious six points to a healthy 12 points.
It is only the second time this season that Worcester have been beaten at St George's Lane, and I thought the recall of John McKenna in a central midfield role was a key factor in achieving that. He was my man of the match.
Shelton Payne again threatened with his pace down the left and set up the winning goal for the second time in three games, while in defence Frank Sinclair really showed his class and composure - particularly in the second half when Worcester switched to three up front and threw everything the could at the Bay defence to try and force an equaliser.
The calmness with which he put a perfectly cushioned header back to Sanna from a right wing Worcester cross, to end a sustained bombardment from Worcester, was right out of the top drawer.
Worcester, by all accounts, were below their best as an attacking force, but take nothing away from another spirited Colwyn Bay display and, in fact, in the end they could have won by more.
Jon Newby was very unlucky when his shot over the keeper just before half-time rebounded off the cross bar, and in the second half Payne and Hopley both missed opportunities to score.
The only goal came after 11 minutes when Payne's run and cross set up Hopley who scored at the second attempt after his first shot had been blocked by keeper James Dormand.
Dormand injured his knee soon afterwards and had to be replaced by substitute keeper Matt Sargeant, who made a good save from another Newby shot just before half-time.
Kevin O'Connor miskicked in front goal from a Danny Edwards cross to miss Worcester's best chance, while Colwyn Bay were a little fortunate when an Ellis Deeley free kick bounced awkwardly in front of Chris Sanna, rebounded off his chest, and no Worcester player was quick enough to capitalise.
In the second half Mike Symons, who proved a handful for the Bay defence for much of then game, set up a great chance for Tom Thorley to equalise when he pulled his shot wide, and then when Thorley broke through into the area again, Sanna did well to throw his body in the way of the shot.
Since returning from injury, Sanna has not yet conceded a goal in four and half hours of football!
Colwyn Bay played the ball around quite well at times and had chances themselves on the break, but Payne and Hopley both blazed wildly over the bar and when substitute Noon broke through to set up a great chance for Payne, the winger didn't get hold of his shot, allowing Sargeant to save falling to his right.
Delighted player-boss Jon Newby described it afterwards as "Probably the most complete performance since me and Stuey (Barlow) came in.
"We had a little bit of everything. I thought we passed the ball really well at times, we tried to play in the right areas, defended for our lives at times, scrapped when needed to, and yet created chances to have scored more goals.
"I couldn't be more delighted with the workrate and the performance. There was a real desire about us today and from the moment we scored I felt we were going to win it."
Newby said the decision to slightly change the formation had worked well.
"Instead of an orthodox 4-4-2 we brought John (McKenna) in as a third central midfielder and I thought he was tremendous and he made a fantastic match-winning tackle right at the end.
"I was really disappointed to have to leave him out against Vauxhall on Tuesday night after he had had two good games at centre back. I just felt Matty Hughes and Frank (Sinclair) are more natural centre halves, but for John to swallow that disappointment and come in and perform like he did in midfield speaks volumes for his attitude and his commitment. He gives you 100 per cent all the time wherever he plays; that is the type of lad he is."
Newby also had praise for the back four. "They were excellent again," he said. "Frank (Sinclair) seems to get better with every game and Matty Hughes has really benefited from having Frank alongside him."
Newby added: "Everyone has played their part today, but I thought Hoppo (Rob Hopley) was outstanding up front. The goal gave him a bit of confidence again and he held the ball up well and won a lot of balls in the air - I thought he was superb."
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lea, Hughes, Sinclair, McKenna, Evans, McLachlan, Hopley, Newby (Noon 71mins), Payne (Davey 90mins). Subs not used: McEvilly, Benson, Metcalf.
Attendance: 791.
COLWYN BAY will have a near full strength squad available for Saturday's tough away game at Worcester City.
Only skipper Danny Meadowcroft remains unavailable, with Shelton Payne having recovered from tightness in his groin and hamstrings during Tuesday's game against Vauxhall.
Jon Newby was concerned that some players looked a big leggy on Tuesday and gave everybody a night off from training on Thursday to try and help recharge the batteries ahead of what will be a tough challenge at Worcester.
Although Worcester go into the game on the back of three successive defeats, all away from home, they have only been beaten once in 11 home league games this season and only promotion contenders Guiseley have conceded fewer goals on their own patch.
"We know Worcester are a very good team. They have been playing at this level for a number of years, and I think it is great credit to ourselves that we are only three points behind them in the table," added the player-boss.
He and assistant Stuart Barlow, however, are considering tweeking the team's formation for the game.
That could possibly mean a recall for John McKenna, and Newby admitted that McKenna and Lee Davey were both unlucky to be left out of the starting line-up on Tuesday following back to back away victories.
"It is tough leaving anyone out, but we make decisions game by game to try and benefit the side as a whole," he said.
"I thought we looked a bit open at times and our back four was too exposed against Vauxhall on Tuesday night, so we may make a slight change to try and remedy that," he said.
Worcester manager Carl Heeley has strengthened his defensive options this week by signing experienced 35-year-old defender Stuart Whitehead from Telford, as well as ex-Aston Villa youngster Phil Green. That follows the recent capture of ex-Villa academy captain and defender Ellis Deeney.
To balance the budget, he has released a couple of players, including full back Neil Cartwright who scored direct from a free kick in Worcester's 2-0 win at Colwyn Bay last month.
Colwyn Bay (from): Sanna, Denson, Lea, Hughes, Sinclair, McKenna, Evans, McLachlan, Hopley, Newby, Payne, Noon, Davey, McEvilly, Benson, King, Metcalf.
COLWYN BAY missed an opportunity to make it three wins in a row and move up to ninth in the table - but in the end were probably grateful to escape with a point in a 0-0 home draw against Vauxhall Motors.
In a good first half they wasted at least four excellent openings with a poor final ball or players trying to go past a defender in the area and losing possession, instead of getting in an early shot or a cross.
Shelton Payne was a real threat down the left and brought two good saves out of Vauxhall keeper Scott Tynan, and also set up a shooting chance for Mike Lea which he fired wide.
But the Bay's attacking play fell apart alarmingly in the second half, continually giving the ball away with misplaced passes and poor control.
Vauxhall were able to dominate and will certainly feel they should have ended up with all three points.
Top scorer Leighton McGivern was guilty of an awful miss when he took the ball round Chris Sanna and then pulled his shot wide of a gaping net, while Josh Wilson had another gilt-edged chance but shot straight at the Bay keeper.
The Seagulls had to defend virtually non-stop in the second half, apart from a brief rally right at the end, and the fact that veteran defender Frank Sinclair, who was outstanding at the back, got the man of the match award, says everything.
Tynan in the Vauxhall goal was only really tested once in that second half when he got down well to save after a surging run into the area from Gaz Evans.
"The two halves were like chalk and cheese," agreed player-boss Jon Newby.
"We did everything but score in the first half and some of the football we played was very good, with Shelton (Payne) running riot down the left. He showed why we have brought him to the club and his pace is frightening at times.
"But the second half has gone the other way and we have left the back four too exposed. Fortunately they have done well and I thought Frank (Sinclair) was immense. You can see why he has played so many games at the top level.
"People ask if I have got him for his experience, but I've signed him because he is a good player. He still has his pace, and his awareness and his reading of the game is second to none."
Trying to explain the second half decline, Newby commented: "I think we were a bit frustrated that we hadn't scored in the first half, but in situations like that you have to keep going.
"I am a big believer that if you start well you can carry on the momentum. We did that in the first half, but after half-time we never got started again and it is very hard to pick the game up. If you let the opposition start well and get the upper hand then they have the momentum.
"I also thought we looked tired tonight. We only have a small squad and we've had players unavailable for various reasons over the last few weeks which has put an added workload on the others.
"Also Shelton has not played for four or five weeks before he joined us and he was feeling tightness in his groins and hamstrings in the second half.
"But on the positive side we are unbeaten in three games, have kept two clean sheets, and if somebody had offered us seven points out of nine before these three games we would probably have taken them.
"Coming off the back of a losing run, we are moving in the right direction."
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lea, Hughes, Sinclair, McLachlan, Noon (McKenna 81mins) , Evans, Hopley (Davey 72mins), Newby (McEvilly 61mins), Payne. Subs not used: Benson and Metcalf.
Attendance: 235
OFF the field fundraising continues for the new stand and other ground improvements that are needed for the club to remain in the Conference North.
I understand the Raise the Roof committee have so far raised £6,500, but there is still a long way to go to reach their target of £30,000 to help towards the total cost of the new stand of £72,500.
There is a Meet the Managers Curry Night at the club this Friday (January 20th) with a chance to put questions to Jon Newby and assistant Stuart Barlow (ex-Everton) with tickets £6) including a choice of four curries with a free pint, glass of wine or soft drink. Tickets are available from Carol Beard 07595894622.
The following Friday (January 27th) is the Michael King Elvis show with one of the world's top Elvis impersonators (see www.elvismichaelking.com). Tickets (£15) will be available in the clubhouse at next Tuesday's North Wales Coast FA Cup game against Blaeunau Ffestiniog, or email rtr2012@btinternet.com.
JON NEWBY sees Tuesday's home game against Vauxhall Motors (7.45pm) at the Red Lion Foods Stadium as hugely important as the Seagulls look to further increase the gap between themselves and the teams in the bottom six.
Newby is set to give home debuts to recent signings Frank Sinclair and Shelton Payne and says: "We are expecting a very tough game, but after back to back away victories the confidence within the squad is high.
"To make it three wins in a row would be important because it is a chance to put more points between ourselves and the teams battling it out at the bottom.
"Hopefully that would take a bit of pressure off and allow us to start looking upwards at how teams above us are doing, rather than looking over our shoulders at the results of teams below us."
Vauxhall Motors, however, are also desperate for points to pull clear off the bottom three and will have gained confidence from winning their previous two league fixtures.
Ex-Chelsea and Wrexham defender Sinclair, who missed Bay's win at Eastwood Town last Saturday due to suspension, looks certain to come back in to the centre of defence, as Newby believes the 40-year-old's experience will be invaluable against Vauxhall's attacking threat.
"We know Leighton McGivern (with 17 goals this season) is a very good striker and Kevin Holsgrove and Craig Mahon were both a threat when Vauxhall beat us at their place on Boxing Day," explained Newby.
Payne, who made a cameo appearance as a second half substitute at Eastwood, is set to start in attack with Newby himself a doubt after suffering a dead leg in last Saturday's game.
"Everyone else is okay and I'll leave a decision on my own fitness as late as possible," said the manager.
Experienced striker Lee McEvilly is also available again after serving a three match suspension, but it is possible he may not be involved against Vauxhall due to budget restrictions.
Although loan signing Dan Parkinson has returned to Morecambe early for treatment to an achilles injury, Colwyn Bay still have to pay his wages until his loan period expires - thus restricting the budget that Newby has available for the Vauxhall game.
Colwyn Bay: (from) Sanna, Denson, Lea, Hughes, Sinclair, McKenna, Evans, McLachlan, Hopley, Noon, Payne, Davey, Newby, King, Benson, McEvilly, Metcalf.



Recent Comments
"Well done Jon !Good luck for the rest of the season !..."
"Another poor crowd below 200. The people of Colwyn Bay (and surrounding areas) really letting their ..."
" There was information on the forum, facebook and twitter from 11.30am stating that the game looked..."
" Regarding the Vauxhall Motors game. I live 35 miles from Colwyn Bay, so I have a 70 mile round trip..."
"After the Tranmere game was called off vauxhall motors came to the rescue for my boxing day footbal..."
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"Danny Lloyd is an impact player.He has pace and an eye for a goal.I suspect he is being used this w..."