September 2011 Archives

COLWYN BAY manager Dave Challinor has signed Bradley Barnes on a month's loan from Chester with four of his squad ruled out by injury for the FA Cup tie at Stocksbridge Park Steels.
The 23-year-old ex-Southport central midfielder, has not figured in Chester's starting line-up this season, making just two brief appearances as a substitute in the last six games - although he did feature in a behind-closed-doors-game game against Airbus Uk on Monday.
He is likely to come straight into the Seagulls side for the cup tie, as fullbacks Luke Denson (hip) and Mike Lea (ankle), midfielder Gareth Evans (foot) and leading scorer Jon Newby (hamstring) will all miss the game.
Fortunately, Chris King, who has not played since being injured during pre-season, and Sean Doherty, who has missed the last five games with a hamstring injury, both returned to full training this week and are able to be included in the squad.
Russell Benjamin, who is on loan from Southport, has also been given clearance to play after recovering from a shin injury.
Stocksbridge let a 2-0 lead, with two goals from ex-Sheffield FC striker Brian Cusworth, disappear in a 2-2 draw against Bradford Park Avenue on Tuesday night and have won only one of their six home league games in the Evo-stik Premier this season.
Colwyn Bay beat them 1-0 away in the league last season although they lost 4-3 at home to the Yorkshire side.
"On paper we are the better side and if we turn up and perform to our ability then it is a game we should win," said Challinor.
The prize for victory is £4,500 in prizemoney and a place in the penultimate qualifying round in two week's time.
Colwyn Bay: (from) Sanna, Benson, King, McDonald. Meadowcroft, McKenna, Benjamin, Allen, Hopley, Lloyd, Noon, Barnes, Doherty, Rouse, Davey, Williams.

COLWYN BAY had to settle for a point in a goalless draw against struggling Solihull Moors today.
And judging from this performance the players were hit for six in more ways than one by that shock midweek mauling by Altrincham.
Their confidence looked badly shaken and they struggled to take a grip of the game in midfield with nobody seemingly able to lift or inspire them.
Danny Lloyd was the stand out exception with another livewire display on the left. He was unlucky to hit a post and should probably have won the game with a late close range header that went over the bar.
But generally there was a lack of service to the front men and Colwyn Bay couldn't hold onto the ball well enough to apply any sustained pressure on a Solihull side who could hardly have been high in confidence themselves after eight defeats in their previous 10 games - although they didn't look like a side that are bottom of the table after this result.
Bay skipper Damien Allen said: "I think we were very nervous after Tuesday and it showed. We didn't play well, but at least we kept a clean sheet and hopefully that will help restore a bit of confidence for us to build on."
Manager Dave Challinor added: "The performance wasn't what I would have hoped for, but it was something I probably expected.
"It was a nervy game throughout and even Chris Sanna (who was lucky to get away with a couple of uncharacteristic errors) said afterwards it was probably the worst clean sheet he has ever kept!
"But ultimately it is the same old story of not being creative enough in the final third.
"We've probably had three good chances, from which we should won the game, but to create just three chances in a game like that is not right. We should be creating a lot more than that.
"We can't keep relying on clean sheets to get us points. It is something we know we need to correct and ultimately it may mean trying to bring somebody else in - although that is easier said than done."
Colwyn Bay were not helped by an injury to Russell Benjamin (shin) and Mike Lea (recurrance of his ankle injury) either side of half-time. That meant using up two defensive substitutions and severely limiting the attacking options from the bench.
"Russell got a nasty rap low on the shin, but it was just a kick and he should be okay. Mike, however, has gone over on the same ankle again and that looks more serious - although we'll have to see how it is during the week," reported the manager.
Benjamin had shot narrowly wide from a chance early on, and after that Solihull keeper Jasbir Singh was never properly tested and had a fairly comfortable afternoon.
In the first half shots from Gareth Evans and Lloyd were both straight at him and he easily dealt with a looping header from Rob Hopley, while after the break the only direct save he had to make was a comfortable catch from Danny Meadowcroft following one of Bay's six corners.
Danny Lloyd was unlucky when he cut into the area from the left and saw his shot hit the foot of the far post with the Bay unable to force the ball over the line from the rebound.
A stretching Rob Hopley diverted the ball wide from Newby's cross after Gaz Evans had won the ball well on the half-way line and put in a good driving run through the middle to set up an excellent chance.
Then right at the end Lloyd headed over the bar from just four yards out from Luke Denson's cross - although to be fair to him the ball came to him like a rocket.
At the other end Denson had to clear off the line early in the game after Sanna came out for a free kick into the area and dropped the ball at the feet of Junior English.
Sanna was then fortunate to get away with similar mistake shortly afterwards, but later made good saves from Phil Midworth and Dom Langdon.
The Bay, however, were almost embarrassed late on when nobody moved to intercept a long throw and the ball went right through everybody to hit the outside of Sanna's left hand post before being cleared.
One point from the two home games in five days means Colwyn Bay have slipped to ninth in the table - but they remain only one point off the top five play-off places so there still everything to play for.
It is the FA Cup at Stocksbridge Park Steels next Saturday and hopefully a two week break from league action will help the squad put this week behind them and refind some belief.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lea (Benson 52mins), McDonald, Meadowcroft, Russell (McKenna 28mins), Evans, Allen, Hopley, Newby (Rouse 68mins), Lloyd. Subs not used|: Noon and Davey.
Solihull Moors: Singh, Midworth, Blackwood, Hinton, Broadhurst, Langdon, Francis (Johnson 65mins), English, Walker (Spencer 45mins), Fitzpatrick, Brown. Subs not used: Price, Pierpoint, McPike.
Attendance: 321.
Bay man of the match (sponsored by Burton Foods): Danny Lloyd.

COLWYN BAY will need late fitness checks on fullbacks Luke Denson and Mike Lea ahead of Saturday's home game against Solihull Moors (Sept 24).
Denson suffered a muscle injury at the top of his thigh in Tuesday's horror show against Altrincham.
Manager Dave Challinor reported: "Mike trained on Thursday but is still not quite right and is probably only 50-50. Luke managed to get through the game on Tuesday, but couldn't train on Thursday and we will have to see how it goes. We will leave a decision as late as possible."
Sean Doherty and Chris King are still injured and can't be considered.
The manager, meanwhile, says there should be no need for a pre-match team talk as his side look to maintain their top six spot with a home victory.
He believes Tuesday's shock 6-1 defeat was just a blip in what has otherwise been a promising start to the season, and the players will know they need to bounce back against a side who are second-bottom in the table with eight defeats in their opening 10 games.
"We had a long chat about Tuesday at training and went through all the goals we conceded, but that is the last time it will be mentioned. We move forward now.
"In the past whenever we have had a bad result or a bad performance we have usually come back with a win in the next game and I expect the same reaction again.
"We've have done okay so far this season to get into the top six, but I don't believe we have played to our full potential yet. I know there is more in us and that we can play better."
Solihull lost 3-0 at Worcester in midweek, but recently ended a run of seven successive defeats by gaining excellent victories over Boston United (away) and Altrincham (home) following the signings of ex-Aston Villa striker Richard Walker and taking midfielder Robbie Thompson-Brown on loan from Kidderminster Harriers, so Colwyn cannot afford to take them lightly.
Their squad also includes a former Wrexham player in defender Michael Blackwood.
Colwyn Bay: (from) Sanna, Denson, Lea, Benson, McDonald, Meadowcroft, McKenna, Benjamin, Allen, Hopley, Newby, Lloyd, Noon, Rouse, Davey, Williams.

A DISMAL night saw Colwyn Bay's proud defensive record hit for six by Altrincham in a 6-1 home defeat which left Dave Challinor hurt and embarrassed.
"It hurts me that I have to put my name to that as the manager," he said afterwards.
"The last 20 minutes we have thrown the towel in and that is unacceptable. The goals we conceded were embarrassing and we'll see how much it has hurt the players on Saturday because I will be looking for a reaction.
"As far as I am concerned this performance has drawn a line in the sand and if it happens again people will be out because I won't tolerate it.
"Performances like that affects my chances and this club's chances of being successful and I won't have players pulling out of challenges in case they get hurt and showing a lack of desire and a lack of pride.
"They have been happy to take the plaudits for the decent start to the season we have made, although I wouldn't say we have been overly impressive, but this was a massive wake up call for them.
"If you don't turn up and put in a shift in this division you will pay heavily for it like we did tonight.
"We'll work on stuff on Thursday but the players know how I feel and I am looking for a reaction from them on Saturday."
The Seagulls had to reshuffle their defence after Mike Lea failed a late fitness test on his twisted ankle, with Rod McDonald switching to left back and John McKenna partnering Danny Meadowcroft in the middle, but the manager refused to use that as an excuse.
"That should not have made a difference, but defensively we were all over the place and the two centre halves didn't deal with their front two," he said.
"We changed things at half-time and were right back in it when we got a goal back at 2-1, but their third goal was shocking and we've got experienced players who have just shown no interest after that."
Once again at home Colwyn Bay failed to start the game at a high enough tempo and were 2-0 down by half-time.
Michael Twiss broke free down the left and his great cross set up the chance for Damien Reeves to head firmly past Chris Sanna after 21 minutes, and 10 minutes later Matt Fearon's cross from the right was chested down by Twiss for Nicky Clee to volley past Sanna from the edge of the area.
The Bay keeper then had to made a good save at the feet of James Lawrie to prevent a third Altrincham goal before the break.
Colwyn Bay could only muster a free kick from out-of-sorts Damien Allen which was easily collected by the keeper and headers from Karl Noon and Danny Meadowcroft that were both well off target,
Danny Lloyd and Liam Benson were introduced from the bench at half-time and the Bay looked much more competitive for a while, pulling a goal back on 55 minutes when an angled cross from the left was chested down by Jon Newby for Rob Hopley to score.
But any hopes of a comeback were dashed as Altrincham killed the game off with two goals in the space of three minutes.
A through ball from Clee split the Bay defence wide open for Reeves to run on and score, and then James Lawrie broke clear on the left and squeezed a shot past Sanna from the narrowest of angles.
With Bay showing nothing in midfield, they fell apart with Rob Williams heading a fifth goal following a corner, and Nicky Clee getting his second of the game with an audacious chip over Sanna from 20 yards out.
Reeves was also close to completing a hat-trick with a shot that beat Sanna but went inches wide.
Bay had their chances, but Coburn saved well from Danny Lloyd, while Allen and Meadowcroft both missed the target from good positions.
The one crumb of comfort for Bay fans I suppose is that last season the team suffered a crushing 6-0 home defeat to Northwich around this time of year, but lost only one of their next eight league games and went on to win promotion.
Like that day is was a lesson for the Bay on finishing - the Bay had eight attempts at goal and scored once, Altrincham had 11 attempts and scored six.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Evans, McDonald, Meadowcroft, McKenna, Benjamin (Benson 45mins), Allen, Hopley, Newby (Rouse 75mins), Noon (Lloyd 45mins). Subs not used: Davey and Williams.
Attendance: 444.

COLWYN BAY will be away to Stocksbridge Park Steels in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday, October 1st.
Stocksbridge, who are currently second-from bottom in the Northern Premier League, beat Northern Counties side Armthorpe Welfare from Doncaster 3-1 in a replay on Tuesday night to set up the tie against the Seagulls which is worth £4,500 in prizemoney to the winners.
Colwyn Bay won 1-0 at Stocksbridge last season in the league with a late Jon Newby goal.

A GOAL from Jon Newby after 76 minutes gave Colwyn Bay three more points with an excellent 1-0 away win against Gloucester City today which has lifted them into the top five of the Blue Square Bet North table.
And with two home games in the next week against teams in the bottom nine (Altrincham on Tuesday and Solihill next Saturday) they have a great chance to consolidate their place in the play-off zone.
Hopefully the town can show a bit of support by turning out in better numbers than in previous home games this season, because the club really needs that to sustain football at Conference level.
The players are putting in a tremendous effort and have got the Seagulls into the highest position in the pyramid they have ever been in. Both they, and the people working so hard off the field to stablise the club financially, need to feel the people of the area are behind them in lifting both the club and the town's profile.
Today was Colwyn Bay's fourth clean sheet in nine games, with the back four of Denson, McDonald, Meadowcoft and Lea again outstanding, and currently only third-placed Guiseley have conceded fewer goals in the Blue Square North table.
Manager Dave Challinor knows the side need to score more at the other end, and after losing their last two away games he said it was very important that they got a result today.
"It was a really, really important three points," he said afterwards. "It was not the best performance and we didn't pass the ball as well as I would have liked on what was a great surface, but you have to give some credit to Gloucester for that because they are a very workmanlike side who don't let you play and who work their socks off against you.
"But again we were very solid at the back and were able to put away one of the few chances we had to win the game.
"We got in some good positions but too often made the wrong decisions when we were in the final third."
Challinor added: "We are in a healthy position in the league, but we are not getting carried away. We know that every game is going to be tight and we are still making little mistakes, but hopefully we are learning along the way."
Both sides struggled to create much in a goalless first half, although Chris Sanna made a superb diving save from a Will Morford free kick in added time, which was the only direct save either keeper had had to make before the break.
The second half was much more open and the Bay looked stronger up front when Rob Hopley came off the bench and did well in place of Domaine Rouse, who provided some nice flick-ons but tended to be bundled off the ball a bit too easily at times playing in the middle and looks more of a threat when he is out wide.
Newby had a great chance when Danny Lloyd set him up, but he tried to place his shot and home keeper Kevin Sawyer got down well to push it away.
Lloyd shot narrowly wide and loan signing Russell Benjamin, who made his first start and had an excellent game in midfield, brought a fine diving save from Sawyer, who also saved shots from Damien Allen and John McKenna.
Gloucester threatened through substitute Jake Harris, on loan from Newport, who brought a diving save from Sanna, while Morford shot wide in a one-on-one as Sanna raced out to meet him.
The breakthrough came on 76 minutes when substitute Karl Noon's low cross was pushed out by the keeper straight to Newby who fired the ball into the net for the only goal of the game.
Hopley looked to be in for a second, but a very late linesman's flag denied him.
Hopley, back in action after missing four games through injury, reported the ankle to be fine afterwards, but Mike Lea got a nasty kick on his ankle which will need a check before Tuesday's game against Altrincham.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lea, McDonald, Meadowcroft, McKenna (Evans 83mins), Benjamin, Allen, Rouse (Hopley 52mins), Newby, Lloyd (Noon 70mins). Subs not used: Davey and Williams.
Attendance: 280.

COLWYN BAY have central defender Danny Meadowcroft and striker Rob Hopley fit for Saturday's testing away fixture against Gloucester City.
The 6ft 4ins Meadowcroft had to be substituted at half-time with an ankle injury in last Saturday's 2-1 win over Histon, but manager Dave Challinor reported: "He was able to train fully on Thursday and is fine."
Striker Rob Hopley is also fit again after missing the last four games through injury, but he may only start on the bench as he eases his way back to full match fitness.
Loan signing Russell Benjamin, who did well when he came on for his debut as a second half substitute last weekend, and new striker Domaine Rouse look likely to start, but Sean Doherty (hamstring) and Chris King (thigh) are still ruled out through injury.
After losing their last two away games the Seagulls will be keen to get something from the game as they look to consolidate a place in the top seven.
"We have had a couple of reports on Gloucester and know what they are about, but it is more about how we play to be honest," said Challinor.
"For the most part we have been really consistent this season and we need to keep that going and try and kick on if we can.
"With Hops coming back and with Russell and Domaine now on board, we now have 16 or 17 players all providing strong competition for places and that gives us plenty of options - particularly going forward."
Gloucester currently play at League Two Cheltenham Town's Abbey Business Stadium and Challinor added: "Playing at a Football League ground should give the players an extra lift and hopefully we can put on a good show."
Gloucester took seven points out of nine from their first three games of the season, but have won only one of their last five after struggling with injuries and suspension.
However, skipper Tom Webb is expected to play after needing nine stitches in a gashed chin following last Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Harrogate Town, while experienced defenders Matt Coupe and Tom Hamblin have shaken off knocks also suffered in that game.
Left back Jack Harris is available again after a three match suspension and former England Schoolboy international midfielder Darren Mullings is also back in contention after recovering from a dislocated shoulder.
Manager Dave Mehew, after a distinguished playing career with Bristol Rovers, Leeds United, Wigan and Walsall, has been manager at Gloucester since 2008 when he guided them to promotion to the Conference at the first attempt.
But he is expecting a tough game tomorrow.
"They (Colwyn Bay) will be a tough nut to crack," he says. "Newly promoted teams are never easy and they've had some good results, but we will give them a good game."
Colwyn Bay (from): Sanna, Denson, Lea, McDonald, Meadowcroft, McKenna, Evans, Benjamin, Allen, Rouse, Newby, Lloyd, Noon, Hopley, Davey, Benson, Williams.

TWO goals in four minutes at the start of the second half saw Colwyn Bay come from behind to beat Histon 2-1 and claim three more points.
The result has lifted them up to seventh place in the table and just a point behind fifth-placed Droylsden, who won at Blyth Spartans.
The Seagulls lost centre half Danny Meadowcroft at half-time with an ankle injury, but played much better in the second half with John McKenna switching into the back four, where he looked much more comfortable in his natural position than in midfield, and loan signing Russell Benjamin coming off the bench and doing well on his debut.
Domaine Rouse also had a good home debut and helped set up both the goals, while Luke Denson got the Red Lion Foods Player of the Match award for another excellent performance capped by scoring the winning goal.
Rouse was delighted to mark his game at Llanelian Road with a valuable win.
"I thought we murdered them early on, but their goal seemed to knock our confidence for a while," he said afterwards.
"We needed to score a goal early in the second half which we did and we were always in charge after that."
Colwyn Bay did start the game very brightly and McKenna was played in for a shot which was deflected into the sidenetting for a corner by Histon's Austrian keeper Jorg Stadelmann.
Gaz Evans and Damien Allen also had efforts at goal, yet it was Histon who took the lead on 14 minutes when Mat Breeze played in Dan Sparkes to fire past Chris Sanna from just inside the area.
Sanna then had to make a flying to save to prevent Breeze getting a second for the visitors and also saved from Dan Holman as Histon had their best spell of the match.
Gradually the Bay started to regain some control and Stadelmann made a brilliant to save to tip Danny Lloyd's fierce shot round the post.
Lloyd had another great chance which he put wide and Evans saw ashot deflected over the bar off a defender.
But the game turned with two goals in the opening 10 minutes of the second half.
From a corner on 51 minutes Domaine Rouse played the ball back for Lloyd to equalise, and four minutes later Histon failed to clear another corner and Rouse and Lloyd set up the chance for Denson to rifle a shot into the corner of the net.
The Bay had chances to kill the game off after that but Stadelmann saved from Lloyd and Evans in one-on-one situations and Lloyd and later substitute Lee Davey both had shots deflected wide.
The failure to get a third goal meant an anxious last few minutes as Histon tried to snatch a late equaliser, but Sanna raced off his line to save at the feet of Omer Riza and then got down well to his right to stop a shot from substitute Lewis Taffe.
Manager Dave Challinor was delighted with the second half display and with the side's two new acquisitions.
"Russell (Benjamin) looked good when he came on and I think he will do well for us. He is only a young lad, but I have been impressed on the couple of times I have seen him play at Southport," he said.
"Domaine needs games to get himself fully match fit, but he provides us with another option up front and if we can get him into the right areas in the final third then he will be a threat."
Chally added that he thought the side showed a lot of character to come back and win after being punished for giving the ball away for Histon's opening goal.
"We lost our way for a bit after that," he admitted. "Players weren't brave enough to get on the ball and we started knocking long balls forward which was just giving away possession.
"We said at half-time we had to play at a much better tempo and we did that.
"Bringing Russell on gave us three attacking midfielders and we took the game to them and had chances to kill them off.
"When there is only one goal in it you are always going to be a bit edgy at the death, but I always felt we had the game under control and I am delighted with the three points.
"I think our position now (seventh) is a fairer reflection on how we have played so far.
"Personally I think we should have had a couple more points, but overall I happy with he start we have made. We still need to be more clinical in the final third, but hopefully we'll have Hops (Rob Hopley) back next weekend to give us another attacking option."
Hopley's ankle is a lot better, but he wasn't risked today after tweaking a thigh muscle in training.
Danny Meadowcroft injured his ankle in a first half tackle, but Challinor doesn't believe it is too serious.
"We'll monitor it over the next week and see how it goes, but I am not too worried at this stage," he added.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lea, McDonald, Meadowcroft (Benjamin 45mins), McKenna, Evans, Allen, Rouse (Davey 83mins), Newby, Lloyd (Noon 70mins). Subs not used: Benson, Williams.
Attendance: 318.

DAVE CHALLINOR has brought in young midfielder Russell Benjamin on a month's loan from Southport and he goes straight into the squad for Saturday's home game against bottom four side Histon.
The 19-year-old from Liverpool is a central midfielder who was with Rochdale last season and will provide the Seagulls with another option through the middle.
As he comes in, Fraser McLachlan has gone out to Nantwich Town in order to get some games.
"Fraser needs games and to get his sharpness back and we have an agreement with Jimmy Quinn at Nantwich that we can take him back at any time should we need him," reported the manager.
Sean Doherty is still ruled out with a hamstring injury that is likely to need another couple of weeks, and Chris King is still a few weeks away from being considered due to a thigh injury.
Meanwhile the manager is still mulling over who will play up front against Histon.
Rob Hopley trained on Thursday night with his injured ankle strapped up, but was still experiencing some pain and his chances of playing are rated only as 50-50.
"We have yet to make a decision about who plays up front," said Challinor. "Strikers are judged on their goals and although we have been making some good chances we have not been taking them and that is frustrating."
Recent signing Dominic Rouse is likely to make his home debut at some stage tomorrow after the manager said he had done well in training on Thursday.
Challinor admits it is an important game for the Seagulls after losing at Droyslden last week, and says: "Histon are a young and very enthusiastic side who like to get the ball down and play, so we are going to have to be switched on from the start to and play well to beat them."
Histon have won only once in their seven league game so far, at bottom side Solihull, but they have a big threat up front in Dan Holman who was signed in July from United Counties League side Long Buckby where he scored 60 goals in 77 appearances.
He has already scored six goals since joining Histon - three in pre-season friendlies and three in the league.
Fellow striker Omer Riza was on Arsenal's books for a time and lists Turkish sides Tranzonspor and Denizlspor among his former clubs - although he was born in London of Turkish-Cypriot descent.
Completing an international flavour to the Histon squad this season are Austrian keeper Jorg Stadelmann, French centre-half Remy Clerima, and Irish Under-18 international midfielder Danny Fitzsimmons whose previous clubs include Queens Park Rangers and Milwall.
Colwyn Bay (from): Sanna, Denson, Lea, McDonald, Meadowcroft, McKenna, Evans, Allen, Davey, Newby, Lloyd-McGoldrick, Rouse, Benjamin, Noon, Benson, Hopley, Williams.

TWO officials from the Football Association visited the Red Lion Foods Stadium at Llanelian Road today for a ground grading inspection.
And although the club know there is quite a lot of work to be done, the FA representatives were positive in their comments.
They will be drawing up a report which the club will receive in a couple of weeks or so, outlining what exactly needs to be done before March 31st next year for the club to retain their current status in the Blue Square North.
Club secretary Grant McIndoe reported: "We already know that we need to upgrade the floodlights, as well as a number of things like extending the away dressing room, installing a first aid room for spectators, plus additional seating and turnstiles. But from what the inspectors were saying we can probably expect a list of around a dozen things that will need to be done."
The major item is going to be upgrading the floodlights and the club have already approached three companies to supply a quote to undertake the work.
Meanwhile, chairman Bob Paton says he is delighted that some very experienced and influential people that he has been speaking to, including two who have worked with Football League clubs, have agreed to come on board to form an executive committee that will advise the board and explore avenues to raise additional funds for the work.