January 2011 Archives

COLWYN BAY'S massive home game against Matlock Town scheduled for today (Jan 29) was called off after a 9.30am pitch inspection.
Heavy overnight frost left the ground frozen hard and it is the second week running the Seagulls have been left without a game due to the weather.
But once again other results went Colwyn Bay's way.
In the only two games to beat the weather, Worksop Town lost 4-1 at home to Ossett Town in an amazing result, and North Ferriby United were beaten 3-0 at home by Halifax (who are now 15 points clear at the top).
Colwyn Bay stay second and two of their play-off rivals have been beaten and have used up another of their games in hand.

The Matlock game has been re-arranged for Tuesday, April 19th, while the away game at Ossett Town (postponed last week) will now be played on Saturday, March 12th.

Sam Bailey, whose appearances for the Seagulls this season have been very limited, is reported to have signed for Welsh Premier side Newtown.

SKIPPER Damien Allen is expected to be fit for Saturday's huge top-three clash against Matlock Town at Llanelian Road, but Danny Meadowcroft is a big injury doubt.
Allen watched from the stand and played no part in Wednesday's 2-1 friendly defeat at Chester, but manager Dave Challinor says that the skipper was left out as a precaution after injuring a shoulder in the gym and he expects him to be fit for Saturday after receiving treatment.
Meadowcroft, however, is struggling after he was hurt in a collision with Chris Sanna on Wednesday night.
"He is very sore at the moment and we will leave a decision as late as possible," said Challinor, who hinted that he might put himself on the bench if Meadwcroft is not fit enough to be considered.
The manager is making good progress from his ankle ligament injury and said: "I am able to do some running now although I have not kicked a ball yet. But if Danny is not able to play then I may strap it (the ankle) up and put myself on the bench as cover in an emergency," he said.
It is a massive day in the race for play-off places, with 10 of the top 11 teams playing each other.
Victory over third-placed Matlock, who go into the game on the back of three successive defeats, would wipe out the Derbyshire club's match in hand advantage and make the most of points dropped by fellow play-off rivals in those other four games.
"It is a huge day and the start of what is probably the biggest week of the season to date," says Challinor. "But if we peform like we did at Bradford in our last game then we can certainly win - and three points would be massive with so many other contenders playing each other."
Today's game is followed by a trip to FC United of Manchester next Wednesday and then a home game against another huge rival for a top five finish in Worksop Town.
"We've got ourselves in a great position, but these next three games could really shape how our season pans out - with the Worksop game particularly important considering their games in hand," says Challinor.
Matlock have been down to the bare bones of their squad due to injury and suspension, but manager Mark Atkins has this week drafted in winger James Naylor from Blue Square North side Harrogate Town and was hoping to make a couple of further additions,
He has heavily criticised the match officials after a number of big decisions went against his team during those three successive defeats, but he says: "It is important that we don't feel sorry for ourselves. We've got to be big enough to stand up there and be counted and try and get a win at Colwyn Bay.
."We're still third in the table despite recent results and in a good position."
Russ Hannah, who has scored over 30 goals this season, is the main threat and he scored twice, including a penalty, in Matlock's 3-0 win over Colwyn Bay at their Causeway Lane ground in November.
Colwyn Bay (from) Sanna, Denson, Lea, McMahon, Grannon, McLachlan, Evans, Allen, Hopley, Newby, Noon, Sheehan, Davey, Rey, Meadowcroft, Bailey.

COLWYN BAY lost 2-1 at Chester in a friendly played behind closed doors on Wednesday (7.30pm) as part of the preparations for Saturday's big game against Matlock.
Manager Dave Challinor gave all his squad a run out, and also gave a trial to former Chester player Chris Coulter who has just returned from playing in Sweden.
Challinor said he will be having a good look at Coulter in training over the next couple of weeks with a view to possibly signing him as cover until the end of the season.
Coulter did well in midfield in the first half, before switching to right back in the second half.
Lee Davey gave Colwyn Bay the lead after 31 minutes when he sidestepped a defender and rifled a left foot shot into the net from just inside the area.
Aaron Rey went close with a shot on the turn that clipped the outside of a post, Gareth Evans put a great chance over the bar from five yards out and was narrowly wide with another effort, while Rob Hopley had a shot well saved by Chester keeper Judge.
Chester equalised five minutes before half-time from their first real chance when Chris Sanna and Danny Meadowcroft collided going for the same ball and Kyle Wilson rolled the ball into an unguarded net.
Meadowcroft, who had played very well in defence, injured his arm in the collision and had to be replaced by Joe McMahon.
Colwyn Bay switched things around in the second half, making nine changes in all, and Chester won the game when Bradley Barnes scored with a crisp shot into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the area on 69 minutes.
Karl Noon and Jon Newby both missed good chances to equalise in the closing minutes.
Skipper Damien Allen missed the game with a trapped nerve in his shoulder suffered in the gym, but says he hopes to be fit for Saturday.

COLWYN BAY will go into Saturday's (Jan 29) home game against Matlock Town still in second place in the table, with their opponents and nearest rivals suffering three defeats in a row over the last eight days.
They were a point behind with four games in hand, but now only have one game in hand - and the Seagulls will go four points ahead of them if they can beat them on Saturday.
Results have really gone Colwyn Bay's way in those last eight days and they have seen their play-off hopes given a huge boost without kicking a ball.
Matlock lost 3-1 at relegation-threatened Stocksbridge Park Steels tonight (Jan 25) following defeats to Marine last Saturday and Chasetown last Tuesday.
Marine also missed the chance to go second on goal difference when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Burscough tonight.
Northwich Victoria lost at Ashton United on Monday to use up one of their games in hand, while Bradford Park Avenue were beaten at home to leaders Halifax on the same night and Worksop lost at Kendal last Saturday.

COLWYN BAY'S away game at Ossett Town (Jan 22) was postponed after a morning inspection due to a frozen pitch.
Buxton's top five clash with North Ferriby was also a victim of the weather.
Colwyn Bay, however, stay second in the table as Matlock Town lost 1-0 at home to Marine and for the second time this week missed the chance to leapfrog the Seagulls into second place.
Matlock have failed to take a point from two of their games in hand, although they still have two left - one of which is away to Stocksbridge Park Steels on Tuesday.
Next Saturday's game at Llanelian Road between Colwyn Bay and Matlock is now a huge game for both clubs.
Kendal came from behind to beat Worksop 2-1 today in another good result for the Bay.

COLWYN BAY are forced to make a couple of changes to their side for Saturday's away game at struggling Ossett Town (Jan 22).
Danny Meadowcroft will partner Joe McMahon in the centre of defence as Danny Grannon is unavailable due to work commitments, and in midfield Gareth Evans will replace Max Power who has been recalled early from his loan spell by injury-hit Tranmere Rovers.
Jack Mackreth is also back with Tranmere although Dave Challinor is hoping both he and Power (who both played for Tranmere Reserves in midweek) may be able to return for a second spell later in the season.
Colwyn Bay have now completed the signing of striker Aaron Rey from Chorley, but he is likely to start on the bench at Ossett as Challinor sticks with the same attack that did so well in the 4-1 at Bradford Park Avenue last weekend.
"Aaron hasn't played competitively for four or five weeks so he has to get his fitness back," explained Challinor. "In saying that, he has trained with us twice this week and has looked really sharp. He's strong, quick, powerful and direct and will certainly give us another goal threat.
"Rob Hopley's loan runs out in two weeks so it's vital we have options at the top end of the pitch for the remainder of the season."
Saturday's game is subject to an early morning inspection after heavy overnight frost left the pitch frozen yesterday, but Challinor is anxious that the game can go ahead.
"It is important we play and maintain the momentum from last week ahead of three huge games in eight days against Matlock, FC United and Worksop," he said.
Ossett's only win in 10 home league games this season was against a Retford side who are 11 points adrift at the foot of the table, and today's game should provide second-placed Colwyn Bay with three more points on a day when four or their closest rivals in the top six play each other (Matlock v Marine and Buxton v North Ferriby).
Ossett were trounced 8-1 at Halifax on Tuesday night, but Challinor knows his side must guard against complacency.
Ossett manager Phil Sharpe says he is looking for a big response from his players after Tuesday and Challinor warned: "We can't afford to take them lightly. Ossett apparently played well for 20 minutes or so on Tuesday and could have been a couple of goals up before Halifax scored. They also showed a lot of spirit last weekend to come from 0-3 down at Marine and level the scores at 3-3.
"The first goal is going to be crucial and we need to play at a high tempo from the start."
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lea, McMahon, Meadowcroft, McLachlan, Evans, Allen, Hopley, Newby, Noon. Subs (from) Rey, Sheehan, Davey, Bailey.
Alex Titchiner has joined Witton on a month's loan, while goalkeeper Danny Roberts has signed for Leek Town following Chris Sanna's return from Chester.

THE draw for the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the North Wales Coast FA Cup has given Colwyn Bay a great chance of reaching the final for the first time in 10 years.
The seagulls are away to Lockstock Welsh Alliance side Llanrug United and, if they win that, will play Rhydymwyn or Barmouth in the semi-finals.
That sets up a possible final against Bangor City, who must battle it out with Rhyl, Llandudno and Flint in the other half of the draw.

COLWYN BAY stayed in second place in the Evostik Premier Divison when nearest rivals Matlock Town lost 2-1 at Chasetown tonight (Jan 18) to miss out on the chance to leapfrog the Seagulls.
North Ferriby United, however, won 4-0 and are now two points behind with three games in hand.
Ossett Town, who Colwyn Bay play next Saturday, were trounced 8-1 by league leaders Halifax.

COLWYN BAY will be at home to Chorley in the fourth round of the League Cup after Gary Flitcroft's side beat Radcliffe Borough 1-0 tonight. They now travel to Llanelian Road on February 8 with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

ALEX TITCHINER has gone on a month's loan to Witton Albion to help him get some games.

TWO players who are back at Colwyn Bay from Chester stole the spotlight as the Seagulls gained a much-needed 4-1 victory at Bradford Park Avenue today (Jan 15).
On loan striker Rob Hopley scored his first hat-trick in 22 months, while keeper Chris Sanna, playing his first league game since his return, saved a controversial second-half penalty which had handed Bradford a chance to get back in the game.
Hopley recalls his last treble was also in a 4-1 win, against Newcastle Blue Star at Llanelian Road in April 2009.
Since then, of course, he missed virtually the whole of last season through injury and he was delighted to be back among the goals today - even if Avenue officials refused to allow him to keep the match ball after the referee had let him carry it off the pitch at the end.
Sanna also had a fine game - although he is actually giving credit for his penalty save to Luke Denson.
"Luke was signalling to me which way to dive," said a smiling Sanna afterwards.
But that shouldn't take away the importance of the save or the two outstanding one-on-one saves in the first half which allowed the Bay go in at half-time with a 2-1 lead.
Meanwhile, manager Dave Challinor was delighted with efforts of the whole team in what was a hugely important win - with Kendal and Worksop both losing.
"We knew this was a game we had to win and the players were fantastic in very difficult wet and windy conditions," he said.
"It was great for Hops (Hopley) to get a hat-trick after such a long time out through injury and Chris Sanna's penalty save was obviously a key moment in the game.
"It was never a penalty in the first place, but If they had scored from it to get back to 3-2 we could have had a very tough last 20 minutes."
"We thoroughly deserved the win in the end, and now we need to follow it up with a win at Ossett next Saturday before we go into three huge games against Matlock, FC United and Worksop."
Hopley and Jon Newby linked up well at the front and Karl Noon looked much more effective out wide where he caused problems and had a good game, setting up two of the goals.
In midfield Fraser McLachlan had a strong determined game, while the back four did well against some fierce second half pressure by the home side.
The Bay got a gift start after just six minutes when a mix-up in the Bradford defence saw keeper Michael Hale fail to gather the ball on the edge of the area as Newby challenged, and Hopley was on hand to roll it into an unguarded net from 18 yards.
Bradford hit back strongly and equalised on 18 minutes when a Matty James cross from the left was played back into the middle from beyond the far post by Tom Greaves for Aidan Savory to score from 12 yards out.
Sanna then saved well from Brice Tiani before Colwyn Bay regained the lead on 29 minutes.
Noon put in a storming run through the middle and although the keeper saved the shot with his legs, Hopley was following up to score from the rebound.
Sanna raced off his line to save well at the feet of Adam Clayton, who was injured in the collision and had to carried off, and then Sanna made a tremendous save from Savory in another one on one.
Colwyn Bay were playing well, despite the surface cutting up, and Hale tipped a shot from Damien Allen over the bar just before the break.
Hopley should have got his hat-trick early in the second half when Newby played him in, but he slipped on the wet surface and mishit his shot straight at the keeper.
Bradford's escape was short-lived.
On 59 minutes Noon picked up a mishit clearance and cut inside before crossing low for Newby to tap in from close range to make it 3-1.
Hopley headed narrowly wide from Denson's cross and Grannon put a strong header just wide from Michael Lea's free kick before that controversial penalty on 70 minutes.
Fraser McLachlan clearly got the ball away as he dived in to tackle substitute Rob O'Brien, but the referee awarded a penalty amidst furious Bay protests.
Justice was done when Sanna dived to his right to save Steve Burton's spot kick.
Luke Denson also cleared a James Knowles header off the line from a corner, but with Bradford switching to three at the back as they chased the game, the Bay were able to pick them off on the break and Hopley took full advantage to complete his treble with Bay's fourth goal on 82 minutes.
Hale then saved his side from further misery, making a fine double save from substitute Gareth Evans and Noon, and then in added time turned a shot from Max Power over the bar.
Sadly this was Power's last game as he has been recalled by Tranmere Rovers for first team duties due to the number of injuries they have got at Prenton Park at the moment.
"It was nice for him to finish on such a good win, added Challinor. "It has been great having him because he is a very good footballer and we are sorry he has been recalled so soon. But he has told us he would love to come back for another spell later in the season if Tranmere are in a position to allow it."
Power's Tranmere clubmate Jack Mackreth missed the Bradford game with a thigh injury and it remains to be seen if he will recover in time to see out the rest of his loan period.
"We were thinking of possibly putting Alex Titchiner and Lee Davey out on loan to get them some games, but we will have to wait see what the situation is with Jack's injury first," said Challinor.
Joe O'Sullivan, however, has left the Bay to join Witton Albion.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lea, McMahon, Grannon, McLachlan, Power, Allen, Hopley, Newby (Evans 72mins), Noon. Subs not used: Sheehan, Meadowcroft, Davey and Titchiner.
Attendance: 281

COLWYN BAY will need to check on a couple of injury doubts before finalising their line-up for Saturday's crucial trip to Bradford Park Avenue.
Loan signing Jack Mackreth is the biggest doubt after having to pull out of training at Tranmere in midweek with a thigh muscle injury. Skipper Damien Allen also has a heel injury, but manager Dave Challinor is hopeful he will be okay to play in what he says is now a "must win" game for his side.
Challinor is definitely ruled out with an ankle injury, but Gareth Evans will be included in the squad after making his playing comeback from a fractured foot in the second half of a 3-1 win against Bangor City in a midweek training match.
"Gaz (Evans) did well on Tuesday and trained again on Thursday, but we need to be sure he is 100 per cent right because we can't afford to risk him breaking down and losing him for the rest of the season," said Challinor.
Chris Sanna is likely to play in goal after his transfer back from Chester, but the signing of striker Aaron Rey from Chorley has been held up as his release papers from Chorley have not come through in time.
"Aaron hasn't played for three or four weeks which was a concern anyway, so he'll now be able to get a couple of important training sessions under his belt with us next week before he plays," added Challinor.
After last Saturday's home defeat to Kendal, Challinor admits his side need to win at Bradford and at Ossett next Saturday to keep themselves in contention for the play-offs.
Four defeats in their last six league games have badly dented their challenge and Challinor added: "We have done some defensive work in training this week to try and sort out one or two things, and although I'm out injured, we've got Chris Sanna's experience back now to help keep us more organised at the back."
Bradford are nine points behind Colwyn Bay with three games in hand and also know this is a huge game for them on the back of two defeats in three days away to FC United last Saturday and then at home to Halifax in the League Cup on Monday (although Bradford have now been re-instated as Halifax fielded an ineligible player).
This will be Bradford Park Avenue manager John Deacey's first league home game since he returned for a third stint at the helm in November.
"I think it will be a tough game but Colwyn Bay have been a little bit up and down and we'll have to see which Colwyn turn up," he said.
"We were very unlucky at FC United. I lost count of the one-on-ones we forced and then they get two goals in the last seven minutes to nick all three points.
"It was hugely disappointing, but not a disaster because there is a lot of football still to play.
"I have brought Matty Plummer in from Halifax and we have got Matty James back from Guiseley, and he played really well against Halifax last Monday."
Colwyn Bay (from): Sanna, Roberts, Denson, Lea, McMahon, Grannon, Meadowcroft, McLachlan, Allen, Hopley, Davey, Noon, Newby, Power, Davey, Mackreth, Sheehan, Bailey, Titchiner, Evans.