December 2010 Archives

COLWYN BAY player-manager Dave Challinor has expressed his disappointment at losing last season's top scorer Ian Sheridan to Airbus UK Broughton ahead of a massive New Year weekend.
The Seagulls are at Ashton United on Saturday and then take on league leaders Halifax in a top of the table clash at Llanelian Road on Monday.
Sheridan, who scored 20 goals last season and hit the match-winning penalty in the play-off final at Lancaster to clinch promotion, agreed terms to join Airbus for an undisclosed fee on Thursday night.
"I am very sad to see Shedz go because he was a massive part of our plans here and I was hopeful we could secure him for next season as well," said Challinor.
"But ultimately it was his decision to go.
"By his own admission he has not been at his best this season, possibly because he missed such a large chunk of pre-season when he was in America, and as a result he has not been in the starting line up as much he would have liked.
"Airbus have put in a number of bids for him over the last few weeks, and when the latest bid matched our valuation of the player the club gave them permission to talk to him. We hoped he would stay with us, but the financial package that they offered, plus a guarantee of regular first team football, persuaded him to go. I am very disappointed, but we all wish him the very best."
Fortunately Challinor has bolstered his attacking options in the last fortnight with Rob Hopley joining the club on loan from Chester in time for today's game at Ashton, along with the Tranmere Rovers duo of Jack Mackreth and Max Power who are also in line to make their debuts.
"It is a big weekend and we have to keep Monday's game against Halifax very much in mind," said Challinor.
"Hops (Hopley) has not played much football and playing two full games in three days might be asking a lot of him. In any event we will certainly make changes for Monday."
Lee Davey and Sam Bailey will both need late checks for Saturday's game after being the latest members of the squad to go down with the flu, but five other victims of the illness have all now recovered.
Both sides go into Saturday's game short of match practice due to the weather, but Colwyn Bay played a training match against Chester on Wednesday night (a 1-1 draw) when all the squad got at least 45 minutes under their belts.
"That was very, very useful and the two Tranmere lads did particularly well, but you are never quite sure how players are going to be after they have gone a while without competitive football," warned Challinor.
Ashton are in a much worse position having not played for nearly six weeks since beating FC United 3-1 in a League Cup tie on November 22nd.
Prior to that they had lost four league games in a row - including home defeats to Whitby Town and struggling Ossett Town. But they won 3-0 at Colwyn Bay early in the season and have a big goal threat in former Manchester United trainee Aaron Burns who has scored 14 goals so far this season - although four of those were penalties.
The Bay could also be up against two former team-mates from last season's promotion-winning squad in Jimmy Kelly and Adriano Rigoglioso, who are now both with Ashton.
I understand from Ashton manager Danny Johnson, however, that although Kelly is certain to be in the squad, Rigoglioso has been suffering with a back injury and is a big doubt for the game.
Colwyn Bay (from): Metcalf, Roberts, Denson, Lea, Challinor, Grannon, McMahon, McLachlan, Mackreth, Allen, Noon, Newby, Hopley, Titchiner, Davey, Sheehan, Power, O'Sullivan.

AS 2010 draws to a close, I've been looking back at a tremendous year for Colwyn Bay Football Club - and for a bit of fun I've compiled my Top 10 highlights of the last 12 months.
The year, in fact, started badly with a shock 4-1 home defeat to Radcliffe Borough on New Year's Day, but at number 10 in my list is the 1-0 win at Warrington Town on January 23rd which was the side's first win in 2010 - courtesy of Danny Grannon's first goal for the club inside the opening three minutes. It was an important win as well, as other play-off contenders dropped points that day.
At number 9 is a couple of excellent appointments made by the board. I was delighted when Roger Skinner was named as Club President in January and he has been a fantastic ambassador for the club, especially on away trips, and a hugely popular figure with players and fans alike.
The appointment of Dave Challinor and Colin Woodthorpe as the new management team in May, after Neil Young's departure to Chester, has also been proved a great choice as they have done an excellent job so far in their first season in management, guiding the team into second place in the table as they head into 2011.
At Number 8 is the Seagulls' 1-1 draw at Halifax in August with another Danny Grannon goal. Halifax may not have been at their best at that time, but the Yorkshire side have since opened a six point lead at the top of the table and are looking clear favourites to be champions this season - so that was an excellent result for the Bay. In fact, they were a bit disappointed in the end not to have won with Ian Sheridan hitting the bar and Jon Newby missing out in a one-on-one with the keeper.
At number 7 is Adriano Rigoglioso's spectacular goal in the 3-1 home win over Mossley in April which guaranteed Colwyn Bay's place in the play-offs.
He brought the ball down with one foot from a free kick into the area and hit it first time with the other into the far top corner of the net for one of Colwyn Bay's goals of the season (if not the year). It capped a good Colwyn Bay comeback from going a goal down and clinched the three points that made sure of a top five finish.
Number 6 is the 4-1 win at Kendal Town in September which I rate as one of the side's best away performances so far this season. They ripped Kendal apart with some tremendous football and even Dave Challinor admitted afterwards: "They (Kendal) could not have complained if we had scored seven or eight."
My number 5 is the 3-1 win at North Ferriby United which put the Bay top of the table on the opening day of the season in August. It was the club's first game back in the Premier Division for seven years and was a great way to mark their return to the top flight.
At number 4 is the 10-0 North Wales Coast Cup win at Connah's Quay in November.
Despite resting up to half-a-dozen first choice players, and in dreadful conditions of gale force wind and rain, this was the first time Colwyn Bay had reached double figures in a game for nearly five years. Ian Sheridan led the way with four of the goals.
For my number 3, I'm going for the game at Whitby Town in October, not only for Roger Skinner's exaltation at the superb fish and chips in Whitby, but for the Bay's thrilling late rally which saw them score two goals in the last seven minutes through Jon Newby and Gaz Evans to rescue a 2-2 draw from 0-2 down. It stretched the side's unbeaten away league record to five games when it had looked in grave danger, and gave Dave Challinor a very welcome 35th birthday present.
In fact, if the game had gone another few minutes I am sure the Bay would have won.
There are no surprises, I am sure, at numbers 1 and 2 in the memory bank.
At number 2 is the stomach-churning play-off semi-final win at Curzon Ashton as the Bay came from a goal down to snatch a late victory with Lee Davey's euphoric match-winning header.
The scenes at the end as Curzon Ashton's distraught players dropped to the ground in despair and the huge grin on Dave Challinor's face as the jubilant Bay players left the field, is something that will always live in my memory.
And number 1, of course, is the play-off final victory in the pouring rain at Lancaster City which secured Colwyn Bay's long-awaited return to the Premier Division on May 1st.
Ian Sheridan's cool head to score the late penalty, after a groundsman had to come on to sweep standing water off the penalty spot, sparked unforgettable scenes - the kind that all football followers dream of being a part of.
Please add a comment if you have any special memories of your own, and lets hope 2011 has more great moments to savour.
A very happy new year to everyone.

COLWYN BAY'S Christmas game away to Nantwich Town scheduled for Monday (Dec 27) was called off today (Sunday) after a mid-day inpsection of the Weaver Stadium pitch which is covered in snow and ice.
It is the second year running the Bay fans have been left without a Boxing Day game

DAVE CHALLINOR has agreed deals for two strikers - one of them on loan and another permanently.
Rob Hopley looks set for a return to Llanelian Road on five weeks loan from Chester, running from December 31 to February 5.
Hops is due to become a father over the next few days, but Chally is hopeful that he will be available for the New Year games against Ashton United (Jan 1) and Halifax (Jan 3) - providing the weather relents by then.
I understand agreement has also been reached to sign former Skelmersdale and Prescot Cables striker Aaron Rey from Chorley in the New Year. He is away in America at the moment but is due back on January 8.
"Agreement has been reached with the club and the player and hopefully he will sign when he gets back," reported the player-manager.
It looks as though Monday's game at Nantwich (Jan 27) will be off due to the weather, and although that is frustrating, it will give the Bay squad a little longer to recover from a flu bug that has hit a number of the players.
I understand Fraser McLachlan is still under the weather and Karl Noon has only just shaken it off.
Despite the dreadful weather, however, the team have been able to train.
The players had an outdoor session on Tuesday and Dave Challinor and Colin Woodthorpe managed to acquire use of an indoor 3G pitch at Bromborough for Thursday evening where the players were able to have an excellent workout.
The main concern now is that the next home game against Halifax is played, although at the moment the Llanelian Road pitch is under six inches of snow.
Have a good Christmas everyone - even if it is footieless!

COLWYN BAY'S home game against North Ferriby United today (Dec 18) has been called off after heavy overnight snow.
It is a complete white-out in the Evostik League with all 32 scheduled games in the three divisions postponed because of the weather.

COLWYN BAY will unveil both their new loan signings from Tranmere Rovers in Saturday's (Dec 18) top-five clash against North Ferriby United at Llanelian Road - weather permitting.
International clearance for Jack Mackreth and Max Power came through on Friday and both will be involved if the game can go ahead.
But hopes of bringing in a third new player may have to go on hold until next week.
Player-manager Dave Challinor has been in talks with a striker and reported: "We might not be able to get things finalised in time for Saturday but it should be done by early next week."
Unfortunately the Seagulls are likely to be a striker down on Saturday with Karl Noon extremely doubtful due to illness.
They are also without midfielders Mick McGraa (knee) and Gareth Evans (broken foot) through injury, but Michael Lea, Jon Newby and Joe McMahon were all able to train on Thursday after recovering from illness and are available again.
Ian Sheridan, who scored a hat-trick in the midweek cup win over Porthmadog, could possibly lead the attack in Noon's place, although Challinor said that Newby and Alex Titchiner would also be considered for the role.
A late decision will also be made on whether Danny Roberts, who did well on his debut in midweek, or Andy Metcalf plays in goal.
It is a huge game for both sides, with fifth-placed North Ferriby just six points behind second-placed Colwyn Bay with four games in hand.
The Bay won 3-1 at North Ferriby in their first game of the season, but the Yorkshire side have won their last three away games - including a 2-0 victory at league leaders Halifax.
That was only the second defeat in 18 league games for the table-topping team, and their first at The Shay.
"North Ferriby are a good side who like to get the ball down and pass it around, but we did well at their place and we are looking to bounce back strongly after last Saturday's poor performance at Mickleover," said Challinor.
There will be 9am pitch inspection to decide if the game can go ahead, with more snow and freezing temperatures forecast overnight.
Colwyn Bay (from) Roberts or Metcalf, Denson, Lea, Challinor, Grannon, McMahon, McLachlan, Mackreth, Sheridan, Allen, Titchiner, Newby, Sheehan, Davey, Power, Bailey, O'Sullivan.

COLWYN BAY player-boss Dave Challinor has today (Dec 15) secured agreement for Jack Mackreth and Max Power to join the club from Tranmere Rovers.
Mackreth, who has recently returned from a loan spell with Burscough, joins initially on a short term loan whilst Power joins on work experience.
"I'd like to thank Les Parry and Shaun Garnett at Tranmere for allowing us to take both players," commented Challinor.
"They are both young lads who are highly thought of and are really keen to prove themselves. Both have been involved with the first team squad at Tranmere and we can hopefully provide them with an opportunity to play at a very competitive level in the Evostik Premier. I'm sure they'll do well for us."
Mackreth, in fact, played against Colwyn Bay for Burscough in both Bay's 2-1 victory at Llanelian Road in October and the 0-0 draw at Burscough last month and posed a threat down the right flank on both occasions - and hopefully can do the same at Colwyn Bay.
It is a particularly timely addition to the Seagulls squad as x-rays this week have confirmed that midfielder Gareth Evans has broken his foot, and both he and Mick McGraa (knee) are likely to be sidelined for some weeks.

A HAT-TRICK by Ian Sheridan helped Colwyn Bay sweep into the quarter-finals of the North Wales Coast FA Challenge Cup with a comfortable 5-0 victory over cup holders Porthmadog (Dec 14).
Sheridan, who scored four times against Connah's Quay in the previous round, has now scored seven goals in two games in this year's competition.
Despite being depleted by injury and illness, the home side were 3-0 up by half-time with Porthmadog rarely able to test new Bay keeper Danny Roberts on his debut.
Sheridan opened the scoring in the opening 10 minutes after Porthmadog keeper Richard Harvey could only parry a shot from Luke Denson, and got his second on 21 minutes after Damien Allen had won the ball in midfield and set up the chance with a strong run through the heart of the Porthmadog defence.
Lee Davey added the third goal a minute before half-time from a swift Bay counter-attack.
A header by Ryan Davies which went wide of target from a corner was the closest Porthmadog came to replying.
Sheridan completed his hat-trick five minutes into the second half when he broke through on his own and lobbed advancing Porthmadog keeper Richard Harvey.
Alex Titchiner completed the scoring just after the hour when he cut in from the right and beat Harvey with an angled shot into the far top left hand corner of the net.
Titchiner also had a strong claim for a penalty turned down when he appeared to be wrestled to the floor by Harvey inside the area.
Fraser McLachlan played out of position in the back four alongside Danny Grannon and did well - apart from picking up a booking.
Danny Roberts did not have much to do on his debut in goal, but what he had to do he did well, commanding his area and coming off his line well to collect a couple of dangerous crosses.
Colwyn Bay: Roberts, Denson, Bailey, McLachlan, Grannon, O'Sullivan, Sheehan, Allen, Titchiner, Sheridan (Aspinall 75mins), Davey. Sub not used: Challinor.

COLWYN BAY are again depleted by illness and injury for Tuesday's North Wales Coast FA Challenge Cup tie against cup holders Porthmadog at Llanelian Road (7.30pm).
And they have been hit by a further blow as big defender Joe McMahon, who would have played after serving a one-match suspension last Saturday, is now a major doubt after being hit by glandular fever.
McGraa and Gareth Evans are likely to miss the game through injury and Jon Newby and Michael Lea are both fighting off flu.
Gaz Evans was due to have an x-ray on Monday with fears he may have a stress fracture in his foot.
Player-manager Dave Challinor said today (Monday) he is confident he will be able to add two players, and possibly three, to his squad before Saturday's game against top-five rivals North Ferriby United.
Steve Aspinall, who has been on the sidelines for most of the season with a long-term knee problem, is likely to play against Porthmadog, while 41-year-old assistant manager Colin Woodthorpe could be on the substitutes bench again.
Recent signing Danny Roberts will make his Colwyn Bay debut in goal, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
Colwyn Bay: (from) Roberts, Denson, Bailey, Challinor, Grannon, McLachlan, Sheehan, Allen, Noon, Sheridan, Titchiner, Davey, Newby, Lea, O'Sullivan, Aspinall, Woodthorpe.

DAVE CHALLINOR has promised immediate action to try and bring in new players before next Saturday's huge home game against top-five rivals North Ferriby after his side's shock 4-0 thumping at Mickleover Sports (Dec 11) - their heaviest away defeat of the season.
The squad was down to the bare bones through suspension, injuries and illness and Challinor knows he needs to bring in extra bodies as Mick McGraa is facing a medium to long-term lay-off with a knee injury and Gareth Evans is also struggling with an injury that he fears could be a stress fracture in his foot.
But the side has suffered a dip in form in the last three or four games and Challinor believes the time is right to freshen things up with some new faces ahead of some massive games over Christmas and New Year.
The Seagulls had the chance at Mickleover to open an eight point gap in second place between themselves and the chasing pack - but never looked like achieving it.
Mickleover started the game second-from bottom of the table and with only one win in their previous seven games, but they ripped Colwyn Bay apart in the first half and had the game wrapped, stamped and sealed by half-time.
The back four looked surprisingly vulnerable and got little protection from an over-run midfield as Mickleover swept through them time and again.
Although the likes of Michael Lea (flu) and Joe McMahon (suspension) were badly missed and Jon Newby played despite feeling ill with flu, Challinor admitted bluntly: "No excuses. That performance simply wasn't good enough and it won't be tolerated.
"I am frustrated and very disappointed. It was a massive opportunity for us today with other teams not playing, but whether it was attitude or the players not looking after themselves during two weeks without a game, we just weren't at the races.
"I am sick of saying the same things to players week after week, and they aren't learning.
"Myself and Colin (Woodthorpe) spend a lot of time travelling to watch teams so that we can prepare properly for games and give players all the information they need. We knew the way we had to play to win the football match today - but we were sloppy and too many players didn't do the things we asked them to do.
"Mickleover got in the faces of our midfield three and worked their socks off to put us under pressure and we didn't deal with it.
"We have some massive games coming up over Christmas and New Year and we have been thinking for some weeks about bringing in a few new faces to freshen things up. The performance today shows it is time to do that - and by next weekend if we can.
"We have high standards and we didn't get what we expect from the players today.
"Ultimately it is our (the management team) responsibility to put that right and bring players to the club who will do what we ask them to do."
Mickleover were in front after only five minutes of a torrid first half for the Bay, when George Everett-Elliott was left unchallenged to head past Andy Metcalf at the far post from a corner.
Metcalf then got down well to save from Karl Ashton and the lively Keiran O'Connell had a goal disallowed for offside after he had broken clear and lobbed the advancing keeper.
When O'Connell broke clear again, Metcalf did well to force him wide, but Danny Martin should have done better than shoot wide from the pullback.
The reprieve was short-lived, however, as Mickleover made it 2-0 on 28 minutes.
Metcalf dived to his right to beat out a shot from Martin Smythe, but Alex Steadman ran in to score from the rebound.
Karl Noon should have pulled a goal back when Alex Titchiner set up a good chance, but keeper Damian Clarke was able to block the shot, and then fullback Luke Chambers cleared off the line from Grannon's deflected header.
But five minutes before half-time Mickleover burst forward from midfield again and Martin Smythe beat Metcalf with a low shot from 20 yards into the bottom corner of the net to make it 3-0 at half-time.
That was game over - and probably the worst first half performance I have seen from Colwyn Bay this season.
Ian Sheridan and Lee Davey came on for Newby and Sheehan for the second half and started to pose some threat down the flanks, but the Bay were only able to create the odd half-chance as Mickleover, with the game in the bag, were happy to pull eight men behind the ball to defend their lead.
The only save of note Clarke had to make was at full stretch from a deflected shot by Luke Denson.
Bay were always vulnerable to the counter-attack as they committed more players forward and after Danny Grannon had raced back to clear Karl Ashton's shot off the line, O'Connell broke free down the right and scored with an angled shot into the far corner of the net for his side's fourth goal on 75 minutes.
It was added time before Damien Allen provided Bay's best effort at goal with a shot that whistled narrowly wide from 20 yards with Clarke beaten.
Colwyn Bay: Metcalf, Denson, Bailey (O'Sullivan 77mins), Challinor, Grannon, McLachlan, Sheehan (Sheridan 45mins), Allen, Noon, Newby (Davey 45mins), Titchiner. Subs not used: Evans and Roberts.
If it is any crumb of comfort for Bay fans, Mickleover's previous results include wins over Matlock Town and Buxton when both those sides were also second in the table.