October 2008 Archives

COLWYN BAY were today trying to get clearance to take reserve team keeper Peter Kennedy on loan from Tranmere Rovers to ease a goalkeeping crisis ahead of the Unibond Division One North fixture against bottom three strugglers Rossendale United at Llanelian Road on Saturday (Nov 1)
First choice keeper Matt Parry is unavailable and Farai Jackson is likely to be ruled out for some time with a persistent abdominal injury.
"We've got a good relationship with Tranmere and they have kindly agreed to help us out," said manager Neil Young.
The club have also put in seven days on another keeper that they hope to sign next week.
The Seagulls couldn't have a better chance to end their six-match winless run, as Rossendale have lost eight and drawn one of their last nine games and manager Derek Egan resigned on Thursday after being asked to further reduce the wage bill due to the club's current financial difficulties.
For full story see the Weekly News website www.northwalesweeklynews.co.uk

COLWYN BAY were denied their first win in six games by an 89th minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw at Radcliffe Borough in a game they should have had wrapped up well before that.
Showing a big improvement in their play with the introduction of new signings Mike McGraa and Graig Graigside in midfield, they hit the bar and the post and had numerous efforts blocked on the line without being able to force the ball in for a third goal that would have surely killed the game off.
"I can't believe we have thrown two points away like that," said manager Neil Young afterwards. "We've had 11 shots on target and they've had just two and scored from both of them!"
The Bay also forced seven corners to none by the home side which was a good reflection of the play.
They could have scored twice in the opening 10 minutes with Neil Black setting up a great chance for McGraa, only for Radcliffre keeper Phil Priestley to produce a diving one-handed save to deflect the shot for a corner, and then Rob Hopley hit the bar with a header.
The Seagulls continued to dominate the first half with Neil Black slicing a shot wide with only the keeper to beat, and yet Radcliffe took the lead with their first shot on target after 31 minutes when full-back Gary Sampson broke down the left and cut inside Scott Lycett before curling the ball into the far top corner of the net.
Colwyn Bay got back on terms four minutes later when a McGraa corner was knocked down by Hopley for Neil Black to swivell and score from close range.
They lost Steve Aspinall at half-time with a reccurance of his hamstring injury, but took the lead on 62 minutes from another corner which produced a goal area scramble in which Hopley and Black both had shots blocked on the line before Lycett fired into the net from the second rebound.
McGraa then hit the post with a close ranger header from a Luke O'Mahoney corner, and Priestely saved with his legs to deny Hopley, Garside, Challinor and McGraa as Colwyn Bay failed to increase their lead from numerous chances and paid for that right at the end when Matt Parry dived to save from Ian Fitzpatrick but couldn't hold onto the ball and substitute Griff Jones ran in to force it into the net.
Overall a huge improvement by the Bay - but missed chances continue to cost them dear.
Colwyn Bay: Parry, Lycett, Wood, Branch, Challinor, McGraa, Canning (O'Mahoney 60mins), Garside, Black, Hopley, Aspinall (Hughes 45 mins). Subs not used: Edwards and Coverley.

LLANDUDNO won 2-0 against Lalndrynog United to move into the top seven of the Cymru Alliance with goals from Gareth Evans and a Jason Sadler penalty.

COLWYN BAY include new midfield signings Craig Garside and Mike McGraa in their squad and also have Steve Aspinall back from injury for Saturday's Unibond Division One North game at Radcliffe Borough.
Garside, who had a brief spell with the Seagulls under Adie Jones before being released to join Bangor City, was with Rhyl last season before joining Gap Connah's Quay, while McGraa has been with North West Counties Premier Division side Winsford United after being part of the Cammell Laird promotion-winning squad last season.
Aspinall, who has missed the four games with a hamstring injury, came through training on Thursday and is fit to return, while Graham Branch is also available again after missing the midweek FA Trophy defeat at Chasetown with tonsillitis.
"The squad is looking a lot healthier now and hopefully after all the problems we've had with injury and illness we now are coming out the other side," said manager Neil Young.
"Some people have been quick to criticise us over the last few games when we've been so short of players and I have asked all along not to judge us until everybody is fit and challenging for places."
Radcliffe have lost six of their 11 league games so far and are three points above Colwyn bay in the table, so the Seagulls will be keen to get something out of the game.
"Our main problem at the moment is not killing teams off when we;ve had the chance. We should have had last Tuesday's replay at Chasetown won at half-time with the chances we had, but if you don' t take your chances you don't win games and we have to start putting that right," added the manager.
Colwyn Bay: Parry, Mitchell, Lycett, Coverley, Challinor, Branch, Aspinall, Garside, McGraa, Canning, Black, Hopley, Edwards, O'Mahoney, Wood, Brandreth, Jackson.

LLANDUDNO are at home to Llandyrnog United in the Huws Gray Cymru Alliance following their 1-1 midweEk draw at LLangefni, Jason Sadler got Llandudno's equaliser with his sixth goal of the season after Dylan Owen had put Llangefni in front.

COLWYN BAY couldn't hold onto a half-time lead and went out of the FA Trophy with a 2-1 defeat in their first qualifying round replay on Tuesday night.
They had only 12 players available and two of those were carrying knocks (echoes of last season), but they held their own in an evenly contested first half and took the lead three minutes before the break.
Scott Lycett put in a strong run before being brought down just outside the area, and when the free kick was played in, he volleyed a great goal from 10 yards.
But Chasetown came out with all guns blazing at the start second half and scored twice in the opening 12 minutes.
Danny Smith hit the first on 52 minutes and then five minutes later Bay keeper Matt Parry, who had made a couple of fine saves in the first half, allowed a Craig Holland shot to squirm under his body and inside the near post.
Colwyn Bay had a couple of chances to get back on terms, but Chasetown were the better side in the second half.
Even accounting for the injuries and players unavailable through work, to have only 12 players available for a major cup competition is hugely disappointing and, for me, it is simply not good enough for a club playing at this level.
Colwyn Bay: Parry, Mitchell, Coverley, Challinor, Woods, Lycett, Hughes, Canning, Black, Hopley, Edwards (O'Mahoney 60 mins).

TWO late goals from Rob Hopley, including one in the second minute of added time, rescued a 2-2 draw for Colwyn Bay against Chasetown in the FA Trophy and set up a Tuesday night replay in the midlands.
They looked to be heading for a third successive defeat after giving away a gift opening goal to the visitors and then missing a second half penalty.
But manager Neil Young praised his side's willingness to keep battling.
"What pleased me most was our attitude. We kept going and never gave up, and overall I thought we were the better side and deserved to get a second chance at them," he said afterwards.
"We will go there on Tuesday and have another good go.
"I thought Challinor and Branch were awsome in the middle of the back four for us and Dean Canning probably had his best game in midfield.
"I know we are are getting a lot of crictism at the moment, but I have said all along it will take time for the new players to get to know each other and settle in. We need a bit longer for that to happen and I'm expecting to bring in another new player next week which will hopefully help things along.
"All I can ask for in the meantime is that the players give me 100 per cent and I got that today and result has given everybody a lift. The atmosphere in the dressing room is upbeat and good - apart from Blacky's choice of music!"
Colwyn Bay started well with Hopley testing the keeper early on and Neil Black and Dean Canning both narrowly off target with a shot and a header.
Hopley also had a shot deflected over the bar, but on 21 minutes Chasetown were gift-wrapped the lead when Matt Parry dropped the ball as he went to catch a free kick into the goalmouth, and Gary Birch gratefully fired into the net from close range.
That knocked the wind ouf Bay's sails as Chasetown dominated the rest of the half, with Birch heading a good chance wide at the far post.
It took Chasetown just 63 seconds into the second half to go 2-0 up when substitute Danny Smith volleyed in a cross from right back John Branch.
There seemed no way back for the Bay after that with Matt Parry making a fine diving save to turn another shot from Smith for a corner.
The Seagulls were then presented with a great chance to get back in the game on 64 minutes with a penalty for a handball by Chasetown skipper Adie Smith from a Neil Black cross, but keeper Ryan Price dived to his right to keep out Rob Hopley's spot kick.
Parry made two more good saves from Craig Holland and Mark Branch, but Colwyn Bay were starting to have much more of the ball without creating too much in the way of chances.
But in a dramatic finale, Matty Woods crossed from the left for Hopley to score with a stooping header on 84 minutes, and two minutes into the three minutes of added time at the end, Hopley rose to head the equaliser from Canning's corner.
Tuesday's replay is a 7.45pm kick off.
Colwyn Bay: Parry, Coverley (Mitchell 78 mins), Wood, Branch, Challinor, Hughes, Canning, Lycett, Black, Hopley, O'Mahoney (Edwards 53 mins). Subs noit used: Brandreth and Jackson.
Attendance: 268.

COLWYN BAY suffered their second 3-0 defeat in three days on Monday to go out of the Unibond Presidents Cup at the first hurdle.
And the side's inability to keep possession and construct good penetrating passing moves is becoming quite a concern.
They continually gifted possession to Trafford on Monday with dreadful passing and in the end were only saved from a more embarrassing defeat by Matt Parry, who became increasingly frustrated with the players in front of him.
Trafford had 13 efforts at goal in the first half to just two by Colwyn Bay, but couldn't find the net - thanks to two excllent saves by Parry and their own wayward finishing.
Colwyn Bay had their best chance of the game early in the second half when Danny Edwards was put through by Dean Canning, but Trafford keeper Tom Read spread himself well to deflect the shot for a corner.
Trafford then inevitably made the breakthrough on the hour when the Bay defence opened up for the lively Scott Barlow to dart through the middle and shoot past Parry.
The Bay keeper made two more fine saves to keep his side hanging on to some hope, but two goals in the last 12 minutes finished them off as substitute Kayoe Copin's angled shot went in off the post , after the Bay had again given the ball away in midfield, and Andy Lundy curled a great shot into the top corner of the net from the edge of the area.
Apart from the Edwards chance Colwyn Bay created very little and continue to struggle in midfield.
I understand Robbie Williams is now nursing an injury after clearing his supension and with him and Aspinall still unavailable, manager Neil Young has not been able to find an answer to the problem.
The experiment of using Neil Coverley on Monday again failed.
As a result the defence is getting litle respite as the ball keeps coming back at them and in the last two games they have looked out on their feet in last 20 minutes and conceded five of the six goals in that period.
Even big signings Dave Challinor and Graham Branch seem to be struggling now.
I suspect the club will shed few tears about going out of the Presidents Cup, but they will know that their league position will soon start to cause real concern unless a solution to the current problems can be found.
Colwyn Bay: Parry, Mitchell, Branch, Taylor, Challinor, Coverley (Hopley 55mins), Canning (Wood 69mins), Lycett, Black, Edwards. O'Mahoney. Sub not used: Brandreth.

COLWYN BAY were blown apart by three goals in 12 minutes in a 3-0 defeat at Clitheroe.
They had done well for 70 minutes and should have been in front after missing two great chances in the first half, but once Clitheroe had broken through, the Bay collapsed defensively.
Manager Neil Young admitted he is concerned that the side have tired very quickly in the last 20 minutes of recent games, but added: "I was very pleased with how we played for 70 minutes and we should have been at least 2-0 in front; there is certainly something there to work on."
Neil Black had the ball in the net after just 55 seconds put was flagged offside as he was played in by Rob Hopley's pass, but the Seagulls survived a torrid 10 minutes of intense Clitheroe pressure in which Matt Parry made an outstanding save to keep out a shot from Carl Lomax.
But they came through that and in grew in confidence as the half progressed, carving out two great chances to take the lead before half-time.
Hopley smashed a shot against the bar from 10 yards when he should have scored after Clitheroe defender Jonathan Smith failed to cut out a Luke O'Mahoney cross from the left, and then O'Mahoney pulled a ball back perfectly only for Neil Black to volley over the bar from 12 yards.
Colwyn Bay were holding their own in the second half with Black heading high over the bar from another O'Mahoney cross which was just a fraction too high for him, although Neil Coverley looked fortunate to get away with a hand ball in the Bay area.
But Clitheroe made the breakthrough on 71 minutes when substitute Mark Sharples played a ball into the area and Bernard Morley headed the home side in front.
That goal gave Clitheroe a huge lift and they tore the Bay defence apart in the next few minutes, with good passing through the middle setting up a goal for Anthony Johnson and then Matt Edgington beat Dean Canning's challenge and cut in from the left before crossing low for Carl Lomax to tap in at the far post.
Once again the Bay were bypassed too easily in midfield and supporters will be pleased that Robbie Williams is now available again after suspension.
"I thought 3-0 was very harsh, but if you don't take your chances you are liable to get punished and we collapsed defensively after their first goal," added the manager.
He said he is likely to make changes for Monday's home game against Trafford to have a look a couple of other players who have been on the bench for the last couple of games.
Colwyn Bay: Parry, Coverley (Brandreth 84 mins), Branch, Taylor (Edwards 78 mins), Challinor, Hughes, Canning, Lycett, Hopley, Black, O'Mahoney. Sub not used: Matt Wood.

LLANDUDNO scored three goals in the last 18 minutes for a 4-1 victory over Llanfairpwll in the Cymru Alliance on Friday night (October 10).
Chris Boulton gave them a 21st minute lead after they had dominated the opening astages, but the Angesley side were level at half-time through a controverisial goal by Richard Owen with Llandudno claim a foul on keeper Sean Pearson.
Changes in the second half with Paul Roberts and Alun Roberts introduced from the bench put Llandudno back on top and Gaz Evans headed them in front from an Alun Roberts cross, Joe Morgan scored with a spectacular scissors kick and Lee Thomas volleyed a fourth.
That was an important win with a big game against Bala Town coming up next Saturday. Victory in that would put Llandudno five points behind the second-placed club with a game in hand.
Bala beat Llandyrnog 2-0 on Friday night while leaders Holyhead won with an 84th minute Marc Evans goal against Glantraeth.

COLWYN BAY have Tim Brandreth back from suspension, but have a major injury doubt over midfielder Steve Aspinall for Saturday's Unibond Division 1 North match at likely title contenders Clitheroe (Oct 11).
Aspinall suffered a hamstring injury in last Monday's 1-1 draw with Salford City and manager Neil Young reported: "He has had some treatment, but looks very doubtful for Saturday."
With Robbie Williams still ruled out by suspension, the manager is concerned about lack of cover in midfield and said: "We are working hard behind the scenes to try and address that, but are not having much luck at the moment."
Hopes of completing an own loan signing from Tranmere Rovers have fallen through.
The return of Brandreth does give the manager the option of possibly moving Scott Lycett or Graham Branch into a midfield role.
Clitheroe have won five of their six games so far and the manager added: "Clitheroe are favourites to finish champions so it is going to be a big challenge for us, but we must try and play to our strengths, which are our forwards. We have to look to get the ball forward to them as quickly as possible and try and play in their (Clitheroe) half of the field to put them under pressure."
With the club having signed five new players in the last fortnight to strengthen the defence and the attack , the manager has released Karl Brown, Rico Colulo and injured keeper Chris Senna to reduce the size of the squad.
Colwyn Bay (from): Parry, Coverley, Lycett, Taylor, Challinor, Hughes, Canning, Hopley, Black, O'Mahoney, Edwards, Wood, Aspinall, Brandreth, Mitchell, Thompson.

COLWYN BAY paraded all their new signings but failed to provide the expected win against bottom of the table Salford in a 1-1 draw on Monday night (Oct 6).
They never really recovered from losing influential midfielder Steve Aspinall with a hamstring injury after 27 minutes and were taken by surprise by a Salford side who played the ball around well at pace and looked anything but a bottom of the table side in what was a high-paced entertaining game.
They stunned the home crowd by taking the lead on 11 minutes when Dave Challinor inexplicably allowed a cross from the right to go past him to present a gift chance for Stephen Brackenridge to score.
But Colwyn were level six minutes later when Neil Black won the ball from defender Adrian Bellamy and pulled it back for Rob Hopley to score.
The injury to Aspinall then forced a reshuffle and the Bay never really functioned in centre midfield after that, although Black had a great chance to play in Hopley for an almost certain goal, but tried to go on his own and lost possession.
He showed glimpses of what the Bay have been missing without him, but missed out on two three scoring chances.
Luke O'Mahoney and Dean Canning did well down the flanks, but although the Bay got in plenty of crosses, most of them were comfortably dealt with by keeper Martin Cambell and his defence.
In the end Salford might even have snatched their first league win of the season when only a fine save from Matt Parry denied Brackenridge a second goal, and a slip by Neil Coverley let in substitute Lesley Bancroft only for him to shoot badly wide.
Manager Neil Young was very disappointed with the performance.
"We weren't at the races tonight and that was disappointing," he said afterwards, "The new players need a few games to get use to each other, but I still expected much better that that.
"The injury to Aspinall was a blow and meant we had to shuffle the side around. It showed that we are lacking cover in midfield, and that is something I am trying to address this week."
Colwyn Bay: Parry, Coverley, Branch, Taylor (Wood 65mins), Challinor, Hughes, Aspinall (Lycett 27mins), Canning (Edwards 80mins), Hopley, Black, O'Mahoney.