October 2009 Archives

This blog is now temporarily out of service and will resume as normal from November 3.
Well done to the Seagulls for extending their unbeaten league run while I've been away and going six points clear at the top of the table.

COLWYN BAY will have three new signings in their squad as they bid to extend their lead at the top of the Unibond Division One North with a home victory over fifth-placed Trafford on Saturday (3pm kick off).
Striker Neil Black, who has returned for a third spell at the club from Unibond Premier Division club Marine, 18-year-old midfielder Ryan Williams from Chester City and 19-year-old Jack Booth, a right-sided midfielder who has just been released by Derby County and was previously with Preston North End, will be in the squad after training with their new team-mates on Thursday.
Hopes of a fourth Bay signing, having put in seven days for a centre half, have fallen through, however, with the manager unable to fit the player into his budget.
"We are still looking for a centre half and a target man up front to complete the squad, but I feel with the signings we have made this week we are not far away from where we want to be," said manager Neil Young.
Meanwhile defender Danny Jarrett is set to leave the Bay to join Woodley Sports after agreement was reached for his transfer this week.
"I would like thank Danny for everything he has done for us and wish him well for the future," said Neil. "He came in last season when we were in a bit of difficulty with injuries and he did a good job for us, but we are looking for something a little bit different this season and his playing opportunities have been very limited."
Although Jamie Dunn is again ruled out today through illness, after going down with the mumps, and Josh Macauley is a doubt with a calf injury, the rest of the squad is virtually at full strength with Jimmy Kelly, Carl Clampitt and Stuart Graves all able to train normally on Thursday night.
With Curzon Ashton having three points deducted this week and dropping from second to fourth place in the table, Colwyn Bay go into Saturday's game with a four point lead at the top, and with second-placed FC Halifax and third-placed Lancaster City both playing in the FA Trophy, the Bay have the chance to extend that lead to at least six points.
Top-five rivals Trafford, however, completed a league and cup treble over Colwyn Bay last season, scoring 10 goals and conceding just one in process, and will be tough opponents.
But after gaining their first cup win in eight ties on Tuesday against Prestatyn, Neil Young said: "I am hoping we can end two voodoos in the same week by also gaining our first win over Trafford - but they are a very good side with some excellent players."
The manager, in fact, made inquires about signing the free-scoring Scott Barlow in the summer but the fee was too high, and he was also interested in Andrew Lundy who has since joined Curzon Ashton.

PREMIERSHIP newcomers Burnley have ethusiastically agreed to Colwyn Bay's request to send a team to Llanelian Road later this season to play a benefit game for Graham Branch - the ex-Burnley favourite whose playing career was ended by a serious eye injury while playing for the Bay at Rossendale in April.
Branch was a particularly popular player with the Turf Moor fans during his time at Burnley and the Lancashire club are anxious to help Colwyn Bay's plans to stage a benefit game - with Burnley manager Owen Coyle possibly playing himself.
I understand Burnley have already submitted three possible dates in November, but they clash with Colwyn Bay commitments (two re-arranged midweek league games and a pre-booked private function in the social club) and it is now hoped to hold the game some time in the New Year.
I am told Graham is still seeing a specialist over the injury caused by a kick in the face as he went to head the ball.
Meanwhile, I am informed that Rob Hopley has had a scan on his injured knee delayed for a further week due the amount of swelling around the joint, but that there is slightly more encouraging news.
He has had his leg put in a brace and Seagulls secretary Grant McIndoe, who was with the striker at the Countess of Chester hospital on Tuesday, reports that although nothing can be confirmed until the scan is done next week, the specialist says there is the possibility that the injury might not be as career-threatening as first diagnosed. If that proves to be correct, and the main damage is to the posterior ligament, there is a chance he could be training again in three to four months.
"Rob is a bit down at the moment, but is trying to stay positive," reported Grant, who added that the striker is hoping to be able to attend Saturday's home game against Trafford if he can.
Manager Neil Young tells me Rob has already texted a message to his team-mates urging them to get him a championship-winning medal this season!

COLWYN BAY set up a home tie against Welsh Premier leaders Rhyl in the next round of the North Wales Coast FA Challenge Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win over Prestatyn Town (Oct 13).
In the second half particularly they played some of the best passing football I've seen from them this season and only Prestatyn keeper John Dunt and some poor finishing prevented a much bigger winning margin.
They took the lead after 26 minutes when, from a throw in on the left, Stuart Graves fired the ball in low for Tom McGill to divert past the keeper.
Dunt had earlier made two good saves to deny McGill and saved from the young striker again just before half-time.
Prestatyn looked as though they had the pace up front to cause problems, but were far too often caught offside, although Steve Hoult did bring a good save from Chris Sanna and Gareth Davies hit a free kick narrowly over the bar.
The Bay then put the visiting side under increasing pressure at the start of the second half, with Dunt deflecting a shot from substitute Ian Sheridan for a corner in a one-on-one situation and saving again from Louis Corrigan, while Luke Denson shot over the bar from a great chance set up by McGill.
Ian Sheridan, who had an excellent second half, then broke clear again and went round the keeper to score Bay's second goal on 56 minutes.
Dunt made fine saves to deny McGill and Sheridan as the Bay continued to dominate, having 11 attempts at goal in that second half to just two by Prestatyn.
Not since the 7-0 win at Radcliffe have I seen the team pass the ball around so well, although skipper Dave Challinor admitted afterwards that an under-strength Prestatyn side allowed them to play that way to a certain extent.
Manager Neil Young summed up the performance when he said: "In the end the score could have been anything you like. Their keeper played well and there was an issue with some of our finishing, but overall we dominated much of the game."
Most of the players carrying slight injuries were able to play, with Eddie Jebb and Stuart Graves withdrawn in the second half to protect them ahead of Saturday's big game against Trafford, while Alex Hay had to come off after getting a kick on his achilles.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Corrigan, Brandreth, Challinor, Sheehan, Jebb (Kelly 46mins), Clampitt, McGill, Hay (Sheridan 51mins), Stuart Graves (Davey 71mins). Sub not used: Aspinall.
Attendance: 216.

COLWYN BAY have today (October 13) completed negotiations with Unibond Premier Division side Marine to bring striker Neil Black back to Llanelian Road for a third spell at the club.
He scored over 30 goals in the 2007/8 season when Gary Finley was manager, and then returned for a short spell last year before joining up with Finley again at Witton.
He has been at Marine this season but the Merseyside club have agreed to cancel his contract and allow him to return to Colwyn Bay.
He will be available for Saturday's important home game against Trafford.

COLWYN BAY manager Neil Young was set to complete the signing of former Chester City midfielder Ryan Williams late today (October 12).
And he says he expects that to one of three or possibly four new signings completed in time for Saturday's important home game against Trafford.
Williams, who was a highly rated member of Chester's youth team, will not be eligible to play against Prestatyn Town in the North Wales Coast Cup on Tuesday (October 13, 7.30pm kick-off) and in a mounting casualty list, Neil Young will need to check on injuries to SEVEN players before finalising a team.
The main concern is over goalkeeper Chris Sanna who has ankle and shoulder injuries following last Saturday's win at Harrogate - and with no reserve keeper in the squad.
"I am hoping that Chris will be able to play, but if not I do have another keeper lined up and we will ask the Coast FA for special dispensation to allow us to bring him in," said the manager.
Tim Brandreth (calf injuries), Anthony Sheehan (ribs), Carl Clampitt (stomach strain), Stuart Graves (back) and Jimmy Kelly (calf) will all need late checks, while Jamie Dunn (mumps) and Lee Davey (groin) are definitely ruled out.
"Josh Macauley also has a sore calf and we will have to wait for a decision from Tranmere Rovers about whether he can play or not," added Neil.
"It is a bit of nightmare situation and with a very important game against Trafford on Saturday I don't want to play anybody if it means they could be ruled out on Saturday.
"Jimmy Kelly's problem is more a bit of reaction after his first game in seven weeks last Saturday and if possible we will rest him on Tuesday.
" All my eggs are virtually in one basket now in trying to get the club promoted and the league has to take preference.
"Having said that, Prestatyn is a game we want to win because we will then be at home to Rhyl in th next round which should attract a lot of interest and it will be nice for me to be up against my former club."
Prestatyn, who include former Colwyn Bay player Andy Moran in their ranks, have had an excellent start to their season in the Welsh Premier with a top four place in the table and only one defeat in eight league games so far.

COLWYN BAY went three points clear at the top of Unibond Division One North as their injury-hit squad won 3-1 away to Harrogate Railway Athletic (October 10).
That makes it five wins and a draw in six away league wins this season, scoring 20 goals and conceding just four.
"Teams set up a little bit differently against us when they are at home and we are also quite a good counter-attacking side so that helps, but even so our away results have been tremendous," agreed manager Neil Young.
"Today was another good battling away performance and we deserved the three points, with Jimmy Kelly doing particularly well in his first game for seven weeks."
In fact, I made Kelly my man of the match with a hard-working and ball-winning performance in the middle of the field, and hopefully his injury problems are behind him now.
"I am a bit sore right now, but you expect that after being out for so long and otherwise I came through it OK," he said afterwards
"It is has been frustrating sitting on the sidelines while the side has been putting an unbeaten league run together (now 11 matches with nine wins and two draws) and I've been getting a bit of stick off the lads because I have not been involved - so I am very pleased we've won again today to keep the run going; I would never have lived it down if we'd lost!"
And the Bay extended their run with the squad down to the bare bones with five players either sick or injured, including Stuart Graves who pulled out on the morning of the game with a back problem.
And there were a couple more injury worries afterwards, including keeper Chris Sanna, who was hobbling on a sore and swollen ankle, and the management will be keeping fingers crossed that it is not too serious.
Ironically Chris did not have too much to do in the game apart from fielding balls into the goalmouth, and his injury was the result of a collision with Tim Brandreth.
Harrogate scored their goal with their only shot on target in the game - and they were already 3-0 down by then.
They should have taken the lead early on when Ben Jones was put clear inside the area but blazed his shot wide with only Sanna to beat.
Colwyn Bay then scored with their first attempt at goal after 21 minutes when Josh Macauley volleyed in from six yards after Harrogate failed to clear a Louis Corrigan corner.
Macauley cut inside from the right to set up another chance but shot wildly wide, and Alex Hay went close with a flicked header across the face of the goal and just wide of the far post from an Eddie Jebb corner.
The Bay then went 2-0 up just before half-time when Steve Aspinall drove forward with the ball from just inside the Harrogate half before sending a low shot arrowing into the bottom corner of the net from almost 30 yards out.
The Bay added a third six minutes into the second half when, from a long throw into the area, Hay had a shot blocked and from the rebound Tim Brandreth scored with a deflected volley from 12 yards.
Hay had another shot saved by home keeper James Mann and Macauley put in a great run into the area but delayed his shot a fraction too long as a defender got in a last-ditch tackle to concede a corner.
Harrogate got a goal back on 68 minutes when substitute Danny Husband scored from a corner, but Colwyn Bay held on fairly comfortably after that with Harrogate's growing frustration resulting in three yellow cards.
Second-placed Curzon Ashton are to have three points deducted at the end of next week for playing an unregistered player in their opening game of the season, so the Bay are effectively four points clear at the top - although Halifax and Lancaster City, who beat Woodley Sports 7-1 today, have games in hand and remain a major threat.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Aspinall, Corrigan, Brandreth, Challinor, Clampitt, Jebb (Denson 80mins), Kelly, Macauley, Hay (Sheridan 68 ins), Sheehan (McGill 78 mins).

JIMMY KELLY could be in line for his first game in seven weeks when Colwyn Bay travel to Harrogate Railway Athletic on Saturday (October 10).
The former Wrexham and Wolves midfielder has not played since going off injured at Wakefield in August, but was able to train normally on Thursday night.
"Jimmy is a bit stiff but is otherwise fit to play and we'll decide once we have seen the pitch (with heavy rain forecast overnight) whether or not he will be in at the start - but he will be involved at some point," said manager Neil Young.
"Having him fit again is a big plus because I don't think people have seen the real Colwyn Bay without Jimmy Kelly and Carl Clampitt together in midfield."
Other good news is that Tim Brandreth will also travel after responding well to treatment on a calf injury, but Jimmy Dunn has gone down with the mumps and is ruled out along with Lee Davey (groin) and long term injury victim Rob Hopley.
So far efforts to sign a replacement striker for Hopley have been unsuccessful with well advanced negotiations to take a player on loan having hit an 11th hour snag with his current club.
The manager is still working hard to bring in reinforcements, including another centre half, over the next seven days. Meanwhile, defender Luke Denson is now likely to leave Colwyn Bay and Danny Jarrett has been given permission to speak to another club which has put in seven days notice for him.
With second-placed Halifax in FA Cup action, Colwyn Bay will go four points clear at the top of the table if they can win at Harrogate, who are without a win in their last five league games - having lost four and drawn one.
"Harrogate have a difficult sloping pitch but we got a very good win there last season despite losing our goalkeeper through injury in the first five minutes and Dave Challinor having to go in goal," said Neil.
"Obviously we are bit thin up front at the moment due to illness and injuries, but Josh Macauley, Tom McGill and Alex Hay are all capable of scoring goals and it is up to the players who come in to step up to the plate and do a job for us."
Colwyn Bay (from): Sanna, Aspinall, Corrigan, Brandreth, Challinor, Sheehan, Jebb, Clampitt, Macauley, Sheridan, Graves, Kelly, Hay, McGill.

COLWYN BAY'S home match against Warrington Town (Tuesday, October 6) has been called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
That follows monsoon-style rainfall during the afternoon which left standing water all over the surface.

COLWYN BAY manager Neil Young is very hopeful he will have at least one new signing on board for Tuesday's (October 6) home game against Warrington Town, where victory would put the Seagulls four points clear at the top of the Unibond Division One North table.
That opportunity arises because second-placed Halifax are without a game due to an FA Trophy replay for scheduled league opponents Bamber Bridge.
But Warrington will be tough opponents. They have had some excellent results recently, including a 5-2 win over Sheffield FC in the FA Trophy last weekend, and have won five of their last eight games.
Colwyn Bay will have to make changes following their tame exit from the FA Trophy last Saturday, with top scorer Rob Hopley (knee ligaments) a long term casualty and defender Tim Brandreth (pulled calf muscle) very doubtful, and manager Neil Young says he wants to bring in three or four new players as soon as possible.
"Losing our leading scorer is a huge blow and we are all keeping our fingers crossed that the initial diagnosis that Rob may not play again proves to be wrong and that the specialist will have more encouraging news following a scan scheduled for next week," said the manager.
"But we can't use injuries as an excuse for our poor performance against Witton and I am not prepared to put up with our inconsistency any longer.
"We are not going to get promoted if we allow that to continue and I am working hard to try and bring in three or four new players - with hopefully at least one of them available to play against Warrington if we can get it tied up in time."
The manager is talking to a couple of clubs over forward players and is very close to completing a loan signing of a striker for the rest of the season. He has also put in seven days for a central defender.
I understand from Neil that it is unlikely Danny Jarrett or Luke Denson will be brought back into the squad for the Warrington game, and it is possible that Anthony Sheehan may fill in for Tim Brandreth at the back as a sweeper.
"When I was at Cammell Laird, Anthony played nearly a full season in that position so I know he can do a job there," explained the manager.
Jimmy Kelly could make a return in midfield after injury.
"The team we select to face Warrington will depend on whether we can sign one or two new players in time, but all the players know they have to step up their game from Saturday," added the manager.