Three new signings in squad to face Trafford

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.