My top 10 highlights of 2010

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.