January 2010 Archives

COLWYN BAY have announced that they have completed the signing of 6ft 4ins Greg Stones from Rhyl, but have been stunned by the 11th hour collapse of the transfer of Mark Connolly.
The 25-year-old Connolly, who has scored 21 goals for Rhyl this season, had agreed personal terms and was due to sign today (Sunday), but Bay manager Neil Young got a text just after 5pm on Saturday evening to say that the move was off.
Apparently cash-strapped Rhyl have found a backer who is willing to help pay Connolly's contracted wages until the end of the season and the club have now refused to release him.
"It is very frustrating because Mark and I both thought we had a deal," said the manager. "Mark really wanted to come and was looking forward to the challenge, but it is Rhyl's prerogative to say no because he is still under contract to them until the end of the season and we have to respect that and get over it."
But the manager is delighted that the Stones deal HAS gone through.
"It is a really good signing for us and at 27 he has a lot of experience including a spell as a full-timer at TNS. He is another versatile player who can play in defence or just off the front two and I am delighted to have got him."
Stones, who scored the only goal when Rhyl beat Colwyn Bay in the North Wales Cup in December, will make his Bay debut in a friendly against Llandudno arranged for Wednesday night (February 3rd, 7.15pm kick-off).
The manager is also working hard to try and bring in a new striker and is in talks at the moment with a couple of possible candidates.
Meanwhile the Seagulls have released full-back Lewis Corrigan who has been unable to get in the team recently and wants regular football.

TWO goals in the last 14 minutes gave Colwyn Bay an important 2-0 win over Harrogate Railway on a day when league leaders Lancaster City lost 4-1 and the other three top five sides all had games postponed due to frozen pitches.
They struggled to create anything up front in the first half on a heavy pitch that had been waterlogged less than 24 hours earlier, but the introduction of young Alex Titchiner after 56 minutes changed the game.
The 18-year-old loan signing from Crewe immediately started putting the Harrogate defence under pressure with his pace and skill, and he capped his cameo performance with a tremendous finish to get his first goal for the club - and clinch the man of the match award.
Manager Neil Young admitted it hadn't been a great performance but the side had ground out a result with another battling display and kept a second consecutive clean sheet.
But he added the game had showed how badly the side needs a big, strong forward who can hold the ball up and compete with opposing centre backs.
"Harrogate are a a big strong side who are much improved from when we played them at their place, and they set their stall out to get in our faces and close us down.
"But we said to our lads at half-time to up the tempo, be a little more direct and the introduction of Alex certainly started to stretch them.
"It is good to have that option on the bench. When defenders are starting to tire and you can throw somebody on with that ability and pace you've always got a chance of getting something out of the game.
"People may say we should have started with him, but he is a young lad and we have a duty to look after him and make sure he is physically ready.
"The tackles were flying in there today and we lost Neil Black early on after what I thought was a dreadful challenge which has left him with a horrible gash on his ankle. That meant we were left with three teenagers up front in Ian Sheridan (19), Tom McGill (19) and then Alex Titchiner (18) and all things considered they have done well to get us two goals and win a game we could have lost."
In fact, although McGill headed against the bar from a Dave Challinor cross, it was Harrogate who looked the most likely side to score in the first half.
Aaron Hollindrake was very unlucky with a header which bounced down off the underside of the bar and was scrambled clear and then Chris Sanna made an excellent save at the feet of Paul Stansfield in a one on one situation.
Ian Sheridan might have had a shout for a penalty when he was pushed in the back inside the area, but apart from McGill's header, a Luke Denson header over the bar was the only other effort at goal that the Bay could manage before half-time.
With Black already off the field with that ankle injury, Neil Young brought on Titchiner from the bench 11 minutes into the second half and his pace up front immediately brought a new attacking threat to the home side.
Harrogate started to be stretched defensively and McGill had an overhead kick saved by keeper James Mann before Colwyn Bay made the breakthrough on 76 minutes.
A long throw into the area by Dave Challinor fell to Sheridan who neatly sidestepped a defender before coolly threading a shot from 16 yards into the bottom corner of the net.
Ten minutes later Sheridan led a good Colwyn Bay break down the left after a good layoff by McGill, before playing in Titchiner who struck a superb angled shot past Mann and just inside the far post for a super finish.
I thought new signing Anthony Lynch did OK on his debut at left back, but Russ Headley struggled to get in the game, and although he did get in one good shot from 25 yards that was narrowly wide early in the second half, he was substituted shortly afterwards to make way for Titchiner.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lynch, Brandreth, Challinor, Olsen (Sheehan 75 mins), Sheridan, Kelly, Black (Williams 19mins), McGill, Headley (Titchiner 56mins). Subs not used: Ablett, Grannon.
Attendance: 374

BANGOR CITY have agreed to pay an undisclosed fee to sign Eddie Jebb, with the transfer expected to be completed by tonight (Friday, Jan 29).
Colwyn Bay paid a four figure fee for the winger from Cammell Laird last year and he has sc ored seven goals for the Bay this season.
Bay manager Neil Young said: "The decision to sell Eddie was mine and mine alone. His contract was due to run out at in the summer and although he had been offered a new one he said that he wanted time to think it over.
"It was by no means certain he would have signed one in the summer and so I felt it was right for the club to accept the offer from Bangor City as we have other players coming in now who can play in that position.
"He has been a bit inconsistent this season, but that is the nature of a winger and I would like to thank him for the effort he has put in. We all wish him well."

FOR Saturday's game against Harrogate Railway, the Bay will again be without Stuart Graves (thigh) and Carl Clampitt (knee) due to injury and loan signing Danny Meadowcroft from Northwich is still unavailable.
Ryan Williams, however, is back with the squad after joining up with the England Futsal team last weekend and new signing Anthony Lynch is in line to make his league debut for the Seagulls.
Second-in-the-table Colwyn Bay will be expecting a win against a Harrogate Railway side who they beat 3-1 at Station View in October and who have won only three of their 20 league games so far - but the Seagulls will need to be on their guard.
The Yorkshire side have made five new signings this week in a bid to pull away from the foot of the table, including Nathan Cartman, who was in Leeds United's reserve side for three years.
The Railwaymen will also have been boosted by an excellent 2-1 victory over top six side Leigh Genesis last Saturday which ended a run of 16 league games without a win - dating all the way to back to August when they had successive home wins against Rossendale and AFC Fylde.
"They will have been lifted by their win last weekend and we will need to be on our toes," warned Neil Young.
Colwyn Bay: (from) Sanna, Denson, Grannon, Lynch, Brandreth, Challinor, Olsen, Headley, Kelly, Black, Sheridan, McGill, Titchiner, Williams, Sheehan, Corrigan, Corris, Ablett.
Lee Davey is not included has he has gone on loan to Llandundo.

COLWYN BAY have scooped a major signing by agreeing terms with Rhyl's Mark Connolly who has hit 19 goals for the Belle Vue club so far this season.
The 25-year-old, who broke a modern day Rhyl club record by scoring in eight successive matches earlier this season, will join Colwyn Bay on Sunday after playing his final game for Rhyl in the Welsh Cup this Saturday.
Neil Young described it as "a significant signing for the club" and said it showed how far Colwyn Bay had come that they were now attracting players of that quality to the club within budget.
"We have not had to extend our budget at all to get Mark," reported Neil.
"He has had bigger offers from clubs higher up the pyramid, but has taken a drop in the wages he was on at Rhyl to join us.
"We have worked together before and have a good relationship which has helped his decision, but he also likes the ambition we have at the club and wants to help us push for promotion."
Neil said he is a versatile player who can play in a number of positions and his record this season shows he is a goal scoring threat wherever he plays.
The manager is also in talks with another League of Wales player and a centre back, and is hopeful that a deal on at least one of those players can be completed over the weekend.
He added: "If these come off then on paper I think we will have one of the strongest squads that the club has had here in recent years."
With these latest additions, plus full-back Anthony Lynch completing his move to the Seagulls from Cammell Laird this week, it is inevitable one or two players will be leaving - and I understand the club have received an offer for one of the current squad which the manager is considering.

A HEADED goal from Danny Grannon gave Colwyn Bay a valuable 1-0 win at Warrington (Jan 23) to keep them second in the table.
And with Curzon Ashton and Skelmersdale United holding each other to a 1-1 draw and Leigh Genesis losing at Harrogate Railway, the Bay have further consolidated their challenge for a top three finish - and a home tie in the play-offs.
They are now four points ahead of Curzon Ashton, who could still have five points deducted for disciplinary reasons pending an appeal, and six ahead of fifth-placed Skelmersdale from the same number of games.
The top five are now six points clear of sixth-placed Leigh Genesis and 10 clear of seventh-placed Prescot.
The Bay got off to a flying start at Warrington with the only goal of the game coming inside the first three minutes.
A long throw by Dave Challinor was only half cleared and Challinor followed up to send a deep cross to the far post for Grannon to head his first goal for the club.
Grannon, however, had to be substituted with concussion 10 minutes later after sustaining a head injury as he went in for a tackle, with Fraser Ablett coming on for his league debut as replacement.
Despite that, the Bay were in control for much of the first half with James Olsen and Jimmy Kelly dominating midfield and Tim Brandreth and Dave Challinor looking solid at the back, with Chris Sanna hardly troubled.
At the other end Richard Mottram denied the Bay a second goal with a good save from Eddie Jebb.
Warrington stepped up their game in the second half, but The Bay defended well with Tim Brandreth having a particularly good game alongside the solid Dave Challinor in the centre of defence, while Ablett also did well.
Warrington had a goal disallowed for offside and Chris Sanna made a tremendous save late on from substitute Richard Chetcuti to ensure the Seagulls held out for three very precious points.
Alex Titchiner came on for the last 10 minutes for Neil Black and managed to get the ball in the net - only to be ruled offside.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson (Sheehan 70mins), Grannon (Ablett 12mins), Brandreth, Challinor, Olsen, Jebb, Kelly, Black (Titchiner 80mins), Sheridan, McGill. Subs not used: Headley and Corris.
Seagulls boss Neil Young was delighted with the win, despite injuries to Grannon, Luke Denson (thigh) and Black (cramp), who all had to substituted.
"It was a difficult, bobbly pitch, but we had the better of the first half and should have been more than one up at half-time," said the manager.
"The second half they have come at us and we had to dig in, but we defended well with Chris Sanna making two great saves, and to keep a clean sheet was a real bonus because we haven't been doing that too often."

COLWYN BAY have completed the signing of former skipper James Olsen from Marine and he is included in an injury-hit 17-man squad for Saturday's (Jan 23) Unibond Division One North game at Warrington Town.
Olsen, who has had spells with Tranmere Rovers, Southport, Altrincham and Vauxhall Motors, was the Seagulls captain under Gary Finley in the 2007/8 season and has agreed personal terms to return to Llanelian Road after playing in the midweek friendly win over Bala Town.
Manager Neil Young's hopes of adding further new signings to the squad, however, have had to be put on hold until next week.
Loan signing Danny Meadowcroft has injured an ankle in training at Northwich Victoria which will delay his arrival, and although agreement has been reached to sign Cammell Laird captain and left-back Anthony Lynch, the paperwork on that deal won't be completed until Monday.
Negotiations are also continuing with two Welsh Premier League players, with Neil Young working hard to try and complete the signings before the transfer window closes next Friday.
Further frustration for the Bay boss is that he will be without Stuart Graves (pulled thigh muscle) and Carl Clampitt (knee) for the Warrington game due to injury, while Ryan Williams is also unavailable after being selected to play for the England Futsal team.
New signing Russell Headley and on loan striker Alex Titchiner are in line to make their league debuts for the Bay in a game they will need to win to retain second place in the table following Halifax's win in midweek.
Warrington, who have not played since December 12 because of the weather, are currently 11th in the table with games in hand on all but one of the teams above them.
Neil Young warned: "They have made some very good signings recently and it should be a good game."
Colwyn Bay: (from) Sanna, Denson, Corrigan, Brandreth, Grannon, Challinor, Jebb, Olsen, Kelly, Black, Sheridan, Sheehan, McGill, Titchiner, Headley, Corris, Ablett.

A FIRST half goal from Tom McGill gave Colwyn Bay a 1-0 win over Colin Caton's Welsh Premier outfit Bala Town on Tuesday (Jan 19).
With a number of fringe players on from the start, including a debut for Fraser Ablett at left back, Colwyn Bay had the better of the first half and got the only goal of the game after 35 minutes when a grounded McGill hooked the ball over the line from close range after Bala keeper Leon Bimpson had blocked an effort from Neil Black.
Earlier Chris Sanna had made a flying save to turn a free kick from Ricky Evans round the post for a corner and Neil Fisher was unlucky with a chip over Sanna which landed on top of the net.
At the other end Colwyn Bay struggled to creat too much despite having most of the possession, but Bimpson made a good double save from Black and McGill and also got down well to save shots from James Olsen and Ryan Williams before McGill made the breakthrough
The Bay had most of their first choice players on the field for the second half, apart from Dave Challinor (work) and Stuart Graves (thigh strain), but Bala started the stronger and Sanna had to make a good save at the feet of Owain Roberts.
Bala forced several corners and Danny Grannon, who did well alongside Tim Brandreth in the centre of defence, denied John Toner a goal after the former TNS striker had gone round Sanna.
But Colwyn Bay started to play some good football as the half progressed, with new signing Russ Headley playing down the left, and in the end should have added more goals.
Ian Sheridan missed the target with two good headed chances and Eddie Jebb, after forcing one good save out of Bimpson, fired over the bar after a great run through the middle had put him clear.
Jimmy Kelly was then very unlucky when his tremendous shot from 30 yards rebounded back off the bar.
Alex Titchiner, who was introduced at half-time, had a couple of good runs and fired a chance into the side netting before his game was cut short by an attack of cramp.
Manager Neil Young commented: "Considering we have been so short of match practice and training I was very pleased with the way we played. We used 18 players tonight and they all played their part. The only disappointment was that we didn't convert more of the chances we created."
Former club captain James Olsen played for 65 minutes in midfield and is to continue talks with Neil Young this week over a possible move back to Llanelian Road.
The manager also expects to have loan signing Danny Meadowcroft from Northwich Victoria on board for Saturday's game at Warrington, providing international clearance comes through.
The bad news is that Rob Hopley, who had been progressing well from his knee ligament injury, has been told by the specialist this week that he will now need an operation after all - and that rules him out for the rest of the season.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Ablett (Sheehan 57mins), Brandreth, Grannon, Corris (Kelly 45mins), Williams (Sheridan 45 mins), Olsen (Clampitt 65mins), Black (Titchiner 45mins), McGill (Jebb 45 mins), Corrigan (Headley 45mins).

In the league there were wins for Halifax and Skelmersdale - and the top five are now five points clear of the sixth-placed Leigh Genesis and ELEVEN clear of seventh-placed Clitheroe.

COLWYN BAY have arranged a friendly against Colin Caton's Bala Town team at Llanelian Road for Tuesday (Jan 19th) with a 7.30pm kick-off.
With the weather forecast favourable for the next couple of days the club are optimistic the pitch will be OK - providing there isn't a sudden change.
Bala are currently ninth in their first season in the Welsh Premier League, with a couple of former Bay players in their squad, and the game will be a good test for the Seagulls as well as providing some much needed match practice for the squad ahead of Saturday's scheduled league game at Warrington.
It's a chance for new signing Russell Headley to make his debut for the Bay and manager Neil Young says he is also hopeful of resurrecting the loan deal with Northwich Victoria for centre back Danny Meadowcroft this week - although that may not be done in time for Tuesday.

COLWYN BAY face another blank Saturday after the home match with Mossley (January 16) was called off early on Friday morning with the Llanelian Road pitch still frozen under a covering of snow and ice.
The players have been called in for extra training at their Wirral training headquarters on Saturday morning. With only one competitive game in the last five weeks manager Neil Young said it is virtually back to a pre-season training routine again.
Tom McGill and Neil Black are both back in full training and there is encouraging news over long-term injury victim Rob Hopley who is also now attending training.
"He has been doing good work in the gym on the treadmill and exercise bike and is now able to run in straight lines without any problems," reported the manager.
"The big test will come when the physio gives him the OK to start twisting and turning. If he is not comfortable with that he may have to have an operation which would rule him out for the rest of the season, but if he is OK then there is a chance we could see him back in action by the end of March or early April which would be a great boost to us for the end of season run in."
Meanwhile, new signing Russell Headley and loan signing Alex Titchiner are now on board and the manager says he is hoping to add one or two "significant" new signings in the next week if negotiations go well.
There has been a hitch, however, with the loan deal involving Danny Meadowcroft from Northwich Victoria, and a decision on whether that will now go ahead or not will be made over the weekend.

Lancaster City beat Salford 4-1 in one of only two Division One North games to go ahead and are now six points clear of Colwyn Bay at the top of the table, with two games still in hand.
AFC Fylde beat Woodley Sports 2-1 in the other game.

COLWYN BAY manager Neil Young has reached agreement for another loan signing in 6ft 3ins central defender Danny Meadowcroft from Conference side Northwich Victoria.
The former Halifax Town captain, who has also had spells with Stockport County, Morecambe and Droylsden, rejoined Northwich in March last year and was influential in them ending last season with six successive wins. He has recently recovered from injury and will join the Seagulls next week, initially for a month.
He joins up with young Towyn-born striker Alex Titchener who is also joining the Seagulls on a month's loan from Crewe Alexandra.
That follows the signing of winger Russell Headley from Woodley Sports, who will join up with the squad next week once the paperwork has been completed.
Headley signed for Woodley Sports from Mossley in 2004 and won the club's Manager and Players' Player of the Year awards in 2006.