March 2011 Archives

DAVE CHALLINOR has been named Evostik Premier manager of the month for March and will receive his award before this Saturday's home game against Retford United (April 2).
Colwyn Bay won six of their seven league games during the month to greatly enhance their hopes of a securing a place in the promotion play-offs.

ROB HOPLEY'S fifth goal in six games gave Colwyn Bay a tremendous 1-0 win at rivals Worksop Town today (March 26) to extend their lead in second place in the table to six points.
The only goal of the game came after 69 minutes when Hopley scored with a header from a pin-point cross by Jimmy McCarthy.
McCarthy then almost got a second with a chip over the keeper which was cleared off the line by Worksop's Max Wragg - although a square pass would have left Hopley with an open goal.
Colwyn Bay also had a strong penalty appeal for handball, following a Damien Allen corner, ignored by the referee.
Dave Challinor came in for his first full game for nearly 12 weeks and played really well in a slightly advanced role in front of the back four. That, and his leadership qualities in organising the players around him, helped the Seagulls give a really solid defensive performance which restricted Worksop to very few opportunities.
Chris Sanna made one excellent diving save from danger man Ben Tomlinson in the second half, but that was the only effort on target he had to deal with.
Colwyn Bay did not have that many efforts either on a hard and bumpy surface that made good football very difficult, although Anthony Sheehan, who had an outstanding game at left back in place of injured Mike Lea, went close with a 35 yard shot that dipped just over the bar.
Dave Challinor said: "We knew it was going to be difficult with the state of the pitch. You couldn't get the ball down and play as we normally like to do, but the lads have adapted superbly and put in a shift to get three massive points which makes up for Tuesday's disappointing performance at Nantwich.
"It was difficult for both sides to create very much, but we've provided the one moment of quality play, with Jimmy's super cross and a fine header by Hops, to win the game.
"I feel sorry for them (Worksop) because they have to play there all the time and it is certainly not helping them."
The result means Worksop will now have to win all five of their games in hand to climb above Colwyn Bay on points, which is a big ask looking at the games they have left.
The Bay have now also gone six points clear of third-placed North Ferriby (who lost at FC United today) having played two games more.
Matlock, Kendal, Bradford Park Avenue and Northwich all lost today and no longer look a real threat.
Buxton (fourth) play North Ferriby (third) on Wednesday and next Saturday is another big day with Colwyn Bay at home to bottom side Retford (now officially relegated) on a day when six of the current top eight play each other.
"Things are becoming clearer all the time now and I believe two more wins will probably assure us a play-off place," added Challinor.
"We want to get as many points as we can from our remaining five games, however, to try and secure a home tie in the semi-finals and so avoid a long midweek trip to the likes North Ferriby or Worksop."
I thought Challinor's influence on the field today was considerable. He said afterwards that, although he was blowing hard towards the end, he came through the game well - which suggests that using himself over these crucial final games is a strong option.
"I played a slightly different role today to allow Joe (McMahon) and Danny (Meadowcroft) to defend slightly deeper against their danger men Luke Beckett and Ben Tomlinson, and that worked a treat," explained Challinor.
Danny Grannon, Fraser McLachlan and Mike Lea, who were all missing today through injury, have a full week to recover before the Retford game, although the player-boss warned: "The lads have been brilliant all over the pitch today, and the ones that have come in have done themselves no harm whatsoever."
He also hopes to add to his squad before Thursday's signing deadline by bringing in Stuart Graves, who recently quit Chester due to work commitments, and utility player David Thompson from Marine as extra bodies.
"Stu (Graves) can't commit every week because of his work, but he said he is willing to help us out in the odd game if we should need him, and David Thompson would also give us defensive midfield and full-back cover ," said the manager.
Ryan Williams and keeper Andy Metcalf, who are on loan at Llandudno and Flint respectively, may also be brought back as cover for any possible injuries.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Challinor, Meadowcroft, McMahon, Sheehan, Evans, Allen, Hopley, Newby, McCarthy (Tuitchinor 89mins). Subs not used: Noon, Davey, Aspinall.

COLWYN BAY are hit by injuries for Saturday's top-eight clash away to major play-off rivals Worksop Town.
Key defensive midfielder Fraser McLachlan is rated very doubtful after suffering a pulled thigh muscle in Tuesday's shock defeat at Nantwich, and defenders Danny Grannon and Michael Lea could also miss the game with niggling hamstring strains.
Joe McMahon will come back into the side in the centre of defence, but player-boss Dave Challinor says he will leave his final team selection until as late as possible.
The pitch at Retford, where Worksop play their home games, was described as "hard and bumpy" by observers at the Nottinghamshire side's 2-0 win over Northwich Victoria on Thursday night, and Challinor said he will want to have a good look at the surface before deciding his line-up.
But he is looking for a response from his players after Tuesday's setback.
"I was so disappointed with our performance at Nantwich because it was such an opportunity wasted," he said.
"We've got six games left, and hopefully eight if we make the play-offs, and although I wouldn't swap our fixtures for any of the other teams in the top eight, we need to show a level of consistency over these final weeks to get us over the line.
"We have a points target which we believe will be enough and we want to try and reach that as quickly as possible.
"Unfortunately we will be probably be down to the bare bones of our squad at Worksop, but the deadline for signing new players is only six days away and we need to manage the players we've got as carefully as we can."
Saturday will be Worksop's third game in five days and their fifth in 10 days, but so far they have taken a maximum 12 points from the first four and go into the match 10 points behind Colwyn Bay with five games in hand.
"It is a huge game for both sides and hopefully with them playing Tuesday and Thursday we will have the slightly fresher legs," said Challinor. "But we've got to be prepared to roll our sleeves up and put in a shift to get anything out of it."
Colwyn Bay (from): Sanna, Denson, Sheehan, Meadowcroft, McMahon, Evans, Noon, Allen, Hopley, Newby, McCarthy, Challinor, Titchiner, Davey, Lea, Grannon, McLachlan.

DAVE CHALLINOR described his team's performance as "gutless and unacceptable" as Colwyn Bay crashed to a shock 2-1 defeat at struggling Nantwich Town (March 22) to end their five-match winning run.
A disputed second half penalty proved the match-winner, but Colwyn Bay were second best for much of the night and couldn't manage one effort on target in the whole of the second half.
The manager defended his decision to change a winning side by sacrificing Alex Titchiner's pace down the left by dropping him to the bench and bringing Jon Newby back in.
"We picked a team from a competitive squad of players to try and win the match - and if we'd performed to our abilities and worked hard we would have won it comfortably," he said.
"We were playing a side that had lost nine of their last 10 games and it was a real opportunity to get another three points on a night when other teams around us were playing each other.
"But if you don't apply yourselves and work hard you don't win football games.
"I don't like having a go because we've had a good run, but tonight we weren't at the races. All the positives people have talked about this season like our work rate and team ethic were absent tonight and the players have been told in no uncertain terms that performance is not acceptable.
"We talk in the dressing room about work rate, desire and passion and we didn't show any of that in the first half hour. Our goal got us back in the game and we said at half time that if we applied ourselves properly we would go on and win - but we gave a gutless performance in the second half."
Although the Bay players claim Nantwich's player dived to get the match-winning penalty, Challinor said: "I don't think it was a penalty, but ultimately you live and die by your own decisions. We had the ball 20 yards from goal and gave it away, we didn't show the desire needed to win it back and someone has hung out a leg in the area and it has cost us the match. We only have ourselves to blame for that.
"Hopefully it is just a small setback in the scheme of things, but we've got a very tough game now at Worksop on Saturday on a poor pitch and if we are not prepared to roll up our sleeves and put in a performance we will get turned over again.
"Obviously we don't want that to happen and we will try and sort a few things out in training on Thursday and hopefully get a response from the players on Saturday."
Joe McMahon was again not even on the bench, but the manager said there is a possibility he would play on Saturday.
"If Danny (Grannon) had pulled up in his fitness test before the game Joe would have played tonight, but Danny seemed okay and the budget wouldn't allow us to include Joe on the bench. Unfortunately that is the way it is; I have to work within the budget I'm given."
Ironically it was a former Colwyn Bay player who was the star of the night, with Michael Lennon proving a real handful and playing a huge part in Nantwich's first win in 10 games to boost their hopes of staying out of the relegation positions.
The game was only six minutes old when Rodney Jack's pass caught the Bay defence wide open through the middle and Lennon ran onto it to shoot past Chris Sanna into the bottom corner of the net.
He tormented the Bay defence for much of the game after that and had the ball in the net again only to be flagged offside.
Colwyn Bay gradually began to force their way into the game in the last 15 minutes of the half and after Jimmy McCarthy had a shot turned round the post by home keeper Ben Chapman, they equalised on 36 minutes.
Chapman did well to beat away a shot from Karl Noon, but Jon Newby laid the loose ball back for Anthony Sheehan to score with a screamer from 25 yards.
You felt the Bay would go on and win from there, but the penalty put them behind again after 57 minutes - and it was Lennon again who started it all.
Danny Meadowcroft was booked for bringing him down on the edge of the area after another penetrating run at the Bay defence, and although Sanna punched away Jake Sedgemore's free kick, Colwyn Bay failed to get the ball away and the referee pointed to the spot as Carr went down in the box under Mike Lea's challenge.
Sedgemore scored and Colwyn Bay rarely looked like saving the game after that - despite the introduction of Allen, Evans and Titchiner from the bench.
Rob Hopley shot narrowly wide with an angled shot and put a header over the bar, but too many balls into the box were easily caught by Simpson, who was never really tested.
In fact, it was Nantwich who came closest to scoring with Rod McDonald's shot just clearing the bar.
Nantwich's officials told me afterwards that is the best their side has played for some weeks and that newly appointed manager Jimmy Quinn has instilled some real spirit back in the side.
They certainly played with real desire and pace and on the night it was too much for Colwyn Bay.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lea, Meadowcroft, Grannon, McLachlan (Evans 74mins), Noon (Allen 62mins), Sheehan (Titchiner 80mins), Hopley, Newby, McCarthy. Subs not used: Davey and Challinor.
In other games North Ferriby beat Matlock to move to within three points of the Bay with two games in hand, and Worksop and Kendal also won.
Buxton drew and Chasetown and Marine both lost.
Overall that means that only North Ferriby, Buxton and Worksop can still overtake the Bay by winning their games in hand, which would still leave the Bay in the final play-off spot.

COLWYN BAY have a couple of injury concerns ahead of Tuesday's game at Nantwich Town (March 22), with defenders Mike Lea and Danny Grannon both reporting slight hamstring strains.
Dave Challinor says he will leave a decision on them as late as possible, although he has cover for both positions as Anthony Sheehan can fill in for Lea at left back and Joe McMahon is available again after suspension as cover for Grannon.
Skipper Damien Allen will also have a further assessment as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring problem, and could well figure at some stage in the game.
The Bay can take another big step towards securing a place in the play-offs by making it six wins in a row on a night when two of their top-five rivals, North Ferriby and Matlock, play each other.
Fifth-bottom Nantwich appointed former Northern Ireland international Jimmy Quinn as their new manager last week and immediately ended a run of eight straight defeats with a 1-1 draw against Marine last Saturday, thanks to a goal from on loan Crewe striker Jordan Connerton.
But Dave Challinor commented: "We have had them watched and know what they're about. In the end it is all about how we play.
"It is a nice ground to play at and if we play to our potential and show the same application and attacking flair that we have in our last couple of games then we are a match for anyone and should win."
Colwyn Bay (from): Sanna, Denson, Lea, Meadowcroft, Grannon, McLachlan, Noon, Sheehan, Hopley, Titchiner, McCarthy, Newby, Evans, Davey, Allen, McMahon, Challinor.

COLWYN BAY made it five wins on the bounce in the space of 15 days with a commanding 4-0 home victory over Frickley Athletic today.
Fraser McLachlan was my man of the match - with a goal, an assist and some outstanding work in midfield - while Alex Titchiner claimed a welcome first league goal of the season, and Danny Grannon and Rob Hopley were also on the scoresheet.
The result keeps the Seagulls six points clear in second place in the table and once again results elsewhere went their way. Of the other play-off contenders in the top 12, only North Ferriby, Worksop and Bradford Park Avenue won, with the other seven (Matlock, Buxton, FC United, Chasetown, Marine, Northwich and Kendal) all dropping points.
It was an outstanding first half display by the Bay, sharp, bright and inventive, with wide men Jimmy McCarthy and Alex Titchiner giving the Frickley fullbacks a torrid time.
The only disappointment was that the side lost their momentum and direction when the management team made changes in the second half.
Karl Noon had been a real livewire in midfield and they missed that when he was brought off and McCarthy was switched into the middle where he was nowhere near as effective.
Manager Dave Challinor admitted the last half hour had tarnished the day a little bit, but defended the substitutions.
"The changes did upset the pattern of the game and if we'd stayed the same we might have gone on and won by more - but we have to look at the bigger picture," he said.
"At 4-0 up it is a chance to protect players from injury for the games coming up, give the lads on the bench a bit of a run out and to try one of two different things in a match situation that we wouldn't normally be in a position to do.
"We took Mike Lea off at half-time anyway because he is having a few problems with his hamstring and at 3-0 up it was good chance to protect him.
"The lads got a bit frustrated because the different things we tried didn't come off and we also got a bit sloppy. At 4-0 we probably unconsciously switched off a bit and if we'd kept doing the right things we would have picked them off with more goals.
"That was disappointing, but overall it was a fantastic day.
"For the first hour we were exceptional and their manager told me afterwards that our first half performance was the best anyone has played against his side this season! The lads deserve a lot of credit for that.
"We knew if we got at them down the flanks we would cause them problems and Jimmy (McCarthy) and Alex (Titchiner) certainly did that.
"To win five games in a row at this stage of the season is fantastic. We are another
win closer to where we want to be and Tuesday (away to Nantwich) is another chance to continue that progress."
Colwyn Bay were in front after only 10 minutes when Danny Grannon scored with a header from Mike Lea's corner, and Alex Titchiner and Rob Hopley both missed out on one-on-ones with Frickley keeper Ben Simpson before the Bay doubled their lead on 23 minutes.
A McCarthy cross was only half cleared and McLachlan scored from 16 yards.
McLachlan then had a close range header beaten out by the keeper from another corner and Hopley's follow up shot was cleared off the line as the Seagulls threatened to swarm all over the visitors.
James Ashmore put a shot narrowly over the bar in a rare Frickley break, but Colwyn Bay made it 3-0 right on half-time.
Simpson blocked McCarthy's effort from a Luke Denson cross, and Alex Titchiner swivelled onto the rebound to score with a right footed shot.
Twelve minutes into the second half it was 4-0 as McLachlan's pass set up Hopley to score left-footed from the edge of the area - and that was game over.
The Bay went off the boil with the changes after that and hardly created another chance in the last half hour.
In fact it was Frickley who could have got a late consolation goal with Brian Cusworth heading against an upright and skipper Danny Walsh denied by a flying save from Chris Sanna.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lea (Evans 45mins), Meadowcroft, Grannon, McLachlan, Noon (Davey 64mins), Sheehan, Hopley (Newby 64mins), Titchiner, McCarthy. Subs not used: Allen and Challinor.
Attendance: 288.
With the Bay pushing for a second successive promotion, the attendance of 288 was disappointing on a lovely sunny afternoon - although the final day of the rugby internationals on television was obviously a big counter-attraction.
I can only urge the town to turn out for the remaining three home games to show its appreciation for what has been a fantastic effort by the team in their first season back in the Premier Division.

COLWYN BAY look likely to stick to an unchanged side for Saturday's home game against Frickley Athletic (March 19) as they bid to make it five wins in a row.
Their recent run has consolidated second place in the table and manager Dave Challinor will be hoping his players can repeat the strong attacking performance they gave in Tuesday's victory over play-off rivals Worksop Town.
Skipper Damien Allen's hamstring injury has progressed enough for him to be on the bench, but Challinor commented: "We need to manage him carefully and hopefully we can get away without using him against Frickley."
The same could also apply to 12-goal Jon Newby, who was rested on Tuesday and could be on the bench again.
"Newbs wants to play every game but he has been in need of a break and we will reap the benefit in the final month of the season by giving him a couple of games off now," said the manager.
Joe McMahon is available again after suspension, but in view of the side's recent winning run he may have to wait to get his place back.
"We gave all the lads a night off from training on Thursday and hopefully they'll come back strong for what is another must-win game," said Challinor.
Six of Colwyn Bay's last eight fixtures are against teams in the bottom seven of the table and if they can pick up the majority of the 18 points available in those games, then a place in the play-offs could be pretty much assured.
Buxton and FC United, two other strong contenders for a play-off place, play each other on Saturday and Colwyn Bay will also want to make the most of points dropped in that game.
But although the Seagulls won at Frickley last month with a Karl Noon goal, they cannot afford to take Saturday's game lightly.
Frickley may currently be in the bottom four relegation positions, and only rock bottom Retford have scored fewer goals this season, but they aided their cause with a crucial 3-0 home win over fellow-strugglers Nantwich Town last Tuesday and have been beaten only once in the last four away games - which included a 6-3 victory at Ashton United.
Colwyn Bay (from) Sanna, Denson, Lea, Meadowcroft, Grannon, McLachlan, Noon, Sheehan, Hopley, Titchiner, McCarthy, Evans, Davey, Newby, Allen, McMahon, Challinor.

TWO first half headers from Rob Hopley gave Colwyn Bay a 2-1 win over Worksop Town as their fourth win in 11 days consolidated second place in the table.
With Matlock and North Ferriby both dropping points on a big night in the race for play-off places, the Seagulls have opened up a six point gap over their two nearest challengers.
And manager Dave Challinor believes it was a big win psychologically.
"This result has made a big statement to teams who have been expecting us to blow up and have dropped points themselves tonight," he said.
"That's four wins on the spin and that has been really good for us, but we need to keep this level of performance going if we can.
"We were able to give Jon Newby a rest tonight which will benefit him, and all the lads will have a night off from training on Thursday and hopefully come back strong again for Saturday."
With Karl Noon playing in a slightly deeper midfield role in Damien Allen's continued absense, and Jimmy McCarthy and Alex Titchiner raiding down the flanks, the Bay looked a much more potent attacking force, while Fraser McLachlan and Anthony Sheehan played their part in giving the midfield much more substance than in some recent games.
Once again McCarthy caught the eye and he has really lifted the Bay's attacking play to another level.
He again linked up well with Luke Denson down the right and played a big part in the first of Hopley's two goals.
Rob, in fact, should have gone on to complete a second hat-trick of the season as Colwyn Bay created enough chances to win comfortably - yet they were left hanging on at the end after Worksop pulled a goal back with eight minutes left.
Manager Dave Challinor admitted that was his one disappointment of the night.
"We switched off at the corner and got punished. I used to room with Luke Beckett when we were at Stockport together and I had warned before hand that if you leave him unmarked in the area he will score. That was disappointing because it left us hanging on at the end after we'd played really well," he said.
"But all in all it has been a brilliant night. The way we set up worked really well; everyone has put in a shift and I can't ask for more than that.
"Before the game I'd have settled for a point, so to win is fantastic."
The Bay had most of the possession in the first half and took the lead on 27 minutes.
McCarthy's long throw was headed back to him and from his cross Hopley scored with a well directed header from six yards.
Worksop looked dangerous on the break and Bay keeper Chris Sanna had to make a good diving save from Matty Young, while Mikel Suarez shot narrowly wide and Chris Bettney blazed another Worksop chance over the bar after breaking free in the area.
But after Mike Lea was narrowly wide with a free kick, the Bay doubled their lead on 41 minutes.
Following an excellent ball into the box by Luke Denson, Worksop keeper Jon Worsnop could only parry a firm shot from Alex Titchiner and Hopley headed the rebound over the keeper and into the net.
Hopley had a great chance to complete his hat-trick early in the second half but couldn't force the ball past Worsnop from Luke Denson's cross, and the keeper then made a diving save from a Danny Grannon header.
Fraser McLachlan should also have scored, but fired into the sidenetting after the keeper could only parry another shot from Titchiner, who then volleyed over the bar from Bay's sixth corner of the game.
They should really have had the game wrapped up at this stage and Hopley missed another good chance when he shot wide after being put clear inside the area by McCarthy.
Worksop didn't force their first corner until the 72nd minute, but then got two more fairly quickly and pulled a goal back from the third.
On loan striker Beckett scored with a free header from Chris Bettney's cross on 82 minutes to set up a tense finale, but Colwyn Bay held on for three massive points.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lea, Meadowcroft, Grannon, McLachlan, Noon, Sheehan, Hopley, Titchiner (Evans 84mins), McCarthy (Davey 88mins). Subs not used: Newby and Challinor.
Challinor had hoped to bring back midfielder Max Power from Tranmere Rovers this week, but says that now looks a no-goer.
He is, however, still looking at trying to bring in at least one extra midfielder before the signing deadline and may possibly bring back one or two of the lads currently out on loan to give him extra bodies for the final run in to the season.

COLWYN BAY player-manager Dave Challinor is trying to bring in another midfielder in time for Tuesday night's home game against Worksop Town (March 15),
"I am working on trying to seal a deal in time for Tuesday night if I can, but we'll have to see how it goes" he reported.
"In any event the deadline for signings is the end of this month, so we need to get the couple of players we think we need in by then to make sure we have enough bodies to see us through the crucial last few weeks of the season."
Meanwhile Luke Denson and James McCarthy will both need late fitness checks after being substituted with injuries in last Saturday's 3-2 win at Ossett Town.
And the manager will be particularly keen that recent signing McCarthy has recovered from a dead leg.
The wingman has made a big impact since signing from Chester nearly a fortnight ago and, with two goals and four assists, he has played a major part in the Seagulls chalking up three wins in eight days to reclaim second place in the table.
Challinor sees his involvement tonight as very important as he commented: "We have had Worksop watched and we believe if we can get at them from the wide areas we can exploit a couple of weaknesses."
McCarthy is thought to have a good chance of being fit, while Denson will also need to be assessed after suffering a nasty kick on the ankle at Ossett.
Denson reports: "Its a bit sore and a little swollen but hopefully I'll be ok. I'll have a fitness test before the game and see how it goes."
Joe McMahon is still suspended and skipper Damien Allen will again be missing from the starting line-up due to his hamstring problem, although Challinor added: "We will assess the injury again before the game and may possibly put him on the bench just in case we need him."
Worksop go into the game 16 points behind the Seagulls, but with seven games in hand, so it is a game the Seagulls do not want to lose - especially on a night when 10 of the current top 12 sides are playing each other.
Worksop have been struggling for wins in recent games and have won only two of their last nine, drawing three and losing four.
But they have just brought in striker Luke Beckett on loan from Gainsborough Trinity to bolster their attack and he scored in last Saturday's 2-1 defeat at FC United.
And tonight (Monday) Worksop have also confirmed the signing of former Scunthorpe and Grimsby Town midfielder Terry Barwick from Goole AFC.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Sheehan, Denson, Lea, Meadowcroft, Grannon, McLachlan, McCarthy, Evans, Hopley, Newby, Titchiner, Noon, Davey, Challinor, Aspinall.

TWO goals from Jimmy McCarthy helped Colwyn Bay climb back into second place in the table with a 3-2 win at Ossett Town.
But the struggling Yorkshire side made the Seagulls work hard for the three points - helped by some generous refereeing decisions in their favour.
The Bay led 2-0 and 3-1, but Ossett kept themselves in the game with goals from a disputed free kick and a penalty.
In the end Colwyn Bay held on for a very important victory on a day when play-off rivals Matlock, North Ferriby and Worksop all lost, but player-boss Dave Challinor admits his side are a bit threadbare in midfield at the moment and that is a concern.
They have not been unable to replace the industrious Mick McGraa, whose knee injury means he is unlikely to play again this season, and are also currently missing skipper Damien Allen with a hamstring problem, while Ryan Williams has gone back to Llandudno.
"We've only really got Fraser (McLachlan) in there as a ball-winner because Gaz (Evans) is more of an attacking midfielder. We have been trying hard to bring someone else in, but it has proved very difficult," commented the manager.
Just like the second half at Northwich last Tuesday after Allen had gone off, Colwyn Bay struggled to get any control or creativity going in midfield and consequently had to defend for much of the game.
Their attacking options were restricted mainly to long balls to try and get McCarthy in behind the Ossett defence - and although that did produce the crucial goals, much of the time it just gave possession back to the home side.
Challinor felt the poor surface did not help and that Ossett were given a lot of help by the referee.
"He is possibly the worse referee we've had this season," commented the manager.
"He broke the game up, gave free kicks that were never free kicks and gave blatant free kicks the wrong way at times.
"He has awarded a free kick for a very debatable hand ball against Luke (Denson) on the edge of area, when we felt it should have been a free kick to us, and they score from it.
"And to my mind the penalty was never a penalty. It was just a coming together of people who had no idea where the ball was, but he (the referee) was desperate to give them something.
"We were comfortable at 2-0, but the decisions got them back in the game and if you give any side something to hold onto or a bit of light at the end of the tunnel, they are going to have a go."
The referee certainly seemed to give Ossett free kicks for the slightest contact and Chris Sanna was booked for his complaint when the referee ignored a clear foul on Danny Grannon which allowed Ossett to set up a shooting chance.
But Challinor admitted the side had made it tough for themselves.
"It was never going to be a pretty game because of the surface, and it was a case of putting the ball in the right areas for us to get behind them and cause problems, but too often we were too short," he said.
In the end it was recent signing Jimmy McCarthy who swung the game Colwyn Bay's way.
It was his cross that set up the opening goal on 13 minutes as he picked out Jon Newby in the area and Newby's lay-off allowed Fraser McLachlan to score with a first time shot from 20 yards.
McCarthy then beat keeper Carl Widdington to a long ball on the edge of the area and slotted it into an unguarded net to put the Seagulls 2-0 up at the break.
Rob Hopley should have scored just before that from another McCarthy cross, but after getting in front of his marker his glancing header from inside the six yard box went wide of the far post.
Substitute Dan Sherriffe got a goal back for Ossett direct from the free kick awarded for handball against Denson, although initially it looked as though Sherriffe had handled it, before McCarthy latched onto another long ball and lobbed the advancing keeper for his second and Bay's third goal on 69 minutes.
Sherriffe then converted the penalty for a push inside the area to make it 3-2 and Colwyn Bay were hanging on a bit at the end as Ossett chased an equaliser.
McCarthy was substituted with a dead leg and admitted afterwards he would have loved to have stayed on to give himself the chance of a hat-trick, but was withdrawn with Tuesday's big game against Worksop in mind.
"I've got a bit of dead leg, but I should be okay for Tuesday," reported McCarthy afterwards.
"I hadn't played for four weeks prior to coming to Colwyn Bay so I am still a bit short of match fitness, but it was nice to get two goals today and I am enjoying playing in the side," he added.
There is also an injury doubt for Tuesday over Luke Denson who had to be replaced in the second half with a bruised and twisted ankle after a lunging tackle on him. That will need a late check.
Alex Titchiner came on for the last eight minutes or so and was close to getting a fourth Bay goal in added time when he shot narrowly over the bar.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson (Noon 70 mins), Lea, Meadowcroft, Grannon, McLachlan, Sheehan, Evans, Hopley, Newby (Davey 85mins), McCarthy (Titchiner 82 mins). Subs not used: Challinor and Aspinall.