November 2011 Archives

COLWYN BAY put in a tremendous rearguard display to win tonight's FA Carlsberg Trophy replay 2-1 at Halifax to secure a home tie against former Football League club Lincoln City in the next round on December 10th.
In the end it was a story of two penalties, with Halifax missing one for the second time in four days and Colwyn Bay scoring one, while an own goal by Halifax defender Greg Anderson proved the match decider.
Rob Hopley had a header tipped round the post early on by Halifax keeper Simon Eastwood, but the home side had most of the play after that.
They were, however, mainly forced into shots from distance that were well off target - and that continued when they were awarded a penalty just after the half hour.
Chris Sanna brought down Danny Holland in a one-on-one, but James Walshaw blazed the spot kick high over the bar.
Colwyn Bay made the home side pay for that when they took the lead with a penalty of their own two minutes before half-time.
Karl Noon was brought down when Hopley's clever back heel from Jon Newby's pass put him clear inside the area and Fraser McLachlan coolly beat the keeper from the spot.
"I don't miss those," beamed Fraser, who maintained a 100 per cent record from the spot for the Bay.
Halifax poured forward after the break and equalised on 62 minutes with a 25-yard screamer by skipper Tom Baker from 25 yards into the top corner of Chris Sanna's net.
But Colwyn Bay were back in front inside a minute when pressure from Hopley forced a defensive mix-up and Anderson slid an attempted backpass past his own keeper, who had come off his line, for a bizarre own goal.
The Bay then missed a great chance to add a third goal on the break as Karl Noon put in a poor final ball when Danny Lloyd was totally unmarked in the middle with only the keeper to beat.
Sanna made a fine save with his body from Harry Winter and Lee Gregory and Walshaw both wasted openings for Halifax with more wayward shooting.
The Bay had second half substitute Danny Lloyd sent off in added time for a second yellow card, the first for kicking the ball away when it ran out for a throw in, but it wasn't costly as the referee blew the final whistle seconds later.
Halifax's poor shooting certainly cost them dear, but Seagulls player-boss was delighted with his side's battling defensive performance.
"We came to frustrate them and maybe their crowd and their team aren't happy with that, but we're not here to give people easy games.
"We came to keep our shape and hit them on the break and that is what we did. Overall we kept everything in front of us and didn't let them get behind us apart from the odd occasion and I was very, very pleased with the whole team as a defensive unit."
And he had special praise for John McKenna who insisted on playing despite it being his mum's first birthday since she passed away just before the start of the season.
It was obviously a very emotional day for him and Newby said: "For him to play tonight and put in a performance like he did just shows the character of the lad and the spirit that we have in the team; it is just exceptional."
Newby admitted his side had a bit of luck in winning the tie, but added: "Since I've been in charge we've had a few decisions go against us, so we were probably due a little bit of fortune - and I think we earned our luck tonight because the workrate from all the lads was different class. Everybody put a shift in and the lads who came in have made it very tough when it comes to picking the team for Saturday - but that is kind of problem you want to have.
"We made three or four changes tonight, but I said to the players before the game that as far as I was concerned it wasn't a weakened team. We've got a very good squad and it showed tonight that any one of them can come in and put in a performance."
Luke Denson didn't play because of nasty chest infection, while Gareth Evans has a tight groin, but Rod McDonald came in and was outstanding in a solid back four with Matty Hughes filling in for Denson at right back.
"I don't really enjoy playing there, but it was needed tonight and I thought defensively we very strong again," said Matty.
The good news for Bay fans is that the 20-year-old defender is now likely to be staying until January 7th as Fleetwood have again agreed to extend his loan period.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Hughes, Lea, Meadowcroft, McDonald, McKenna, Noon, McLachlan, Hopley (McEvilly 75mins), Newby (Lloyd 60mins), Davey. Subs not used: Evans, Denson, Benson.
Attendance: 717

A HOME tie against former Football League club Lincoln City is the incentive for both sides in Tuesday's FA Carlsberg Trophy replay at Halifax.
Lincoln are currently 18th in the Conference Premier and with a gate of over 2,000 at their home win over Ebbsfleet last weekend, they should bring a good following to Llanelian Road if the Seagulls can get through.
Player-manager Jon Newby is likely to bring himself back into the starting line-up after starting the last two games on the bench and there could be at least one other change.
"We've got a run of four games in 12 days so we need to manage the squad carefully with one two carrying slight injuries, but players who come in have a chance to impress and stake a claim to keep the shirt for Saturday's game against Droylsden - so they have everything to play for," said the manager.
"We want to progress in the competition and can hopefully give it a good go."
Halifax will be without key central defender Danny Lowe who is suspended following his red card against Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup, while striker Jamie Rainford, who is on loan from Chester, is cup-tied.
Colwyn Bay: (from) Sanna, Denson, Lea, Meadowcroft, Hughes, McKenna, Evans, McLachlan, McEvilly, Noon, Lloyd, Newby, Hopley, Davey, McDonald, King, Benson, Williams.
Other ties in today's draw for the first round proper on December 10 included Wrexham v Hinckley United, and Corby United or North Ferriby Utd v Chester.

COLWYN BAY must travel to The Shay on Tuesday night for a replay after a 0-0 stalemate in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy today.
The Seagulls missed two great chances to take the lead early in the first half which would have swung the tie their way, but then had to thank Chris Sanna for saving a penalty right on the stroke of half-time for keeping them on level terms.
Both sides struggled to combat the strong wind and were unable to find the quality needed in the final third - either from set pieces or open play - to win the game.
Bay's assistant boss Stuart Barlow agreed: "The conditions killed the game for both sides, but overall I thought we did okay."
Colwyn Bay had the best chances early on when Danny Lloyd broke free on the left and his low cross should have been put away by Gaz Evans, but the midfielder failed to make contact with the ball as it ran across the face of the goal.
Then when Lloyd had a shot from Luke Denson's cross blocked in the goalmouth, the ball rebounded to Lee McEvilly whose sidefooted shot went wide from 12 yards when he should have scored.
The game got quite scrappy and tetchy after that with numerous free kicks, but Halifax had the perfect chance to take the lead in the 45th minute when the referee awarded them a penalty for Fraser McLachlan's challenge on Lee Gregory.
Gregory took the spot kick himself, but it was a weak effort and Sanna dropped to his left to save.
The second half provided little goalmouth action, with the delivery from crosses, corners and free kicks from both sides poor.
In fact, there was only one shot on target in the whole 45 minutes - a late volley from substitute Rob Hopley which Halifax keeper Simon Eastwood saved comfortably.
Tom Baker went closest for Halifax with a shot from a free kick that went narrowly over the bar.
The crowd was also a disappointing 420, with Halifax bringing far fewer fans than they normally do for a league game.
I am told by one of the Halifax media guys that Shay fans generally don't bother much with the FA Trophy because they see it as a NonLeague competition - and they don't regard themselves as a NonLeague Club!
Colwyn Bay player-boss Jon Newby left himself on the bench but said he was relatively pleased with his team's performance.
"The conditions played a massive part, but I thought we were the better side in the first half. We've had two very good chances which we've probably got to take - especially against a decent quality side like them (Halifax).
"I was pleased with the back four, who have taken a little bit of criticism over the goals we have conceded in the last three or four games, but I thought as a unit they were very solid today.
"I wasn't over concerned with the threat Halifax posed and I was certainly disappointed with the penalty decision.
"I didn't think it was a penalty, but having said that I didn't think Fraser needed to make the tackle as the lad was running away from goal.
"The only criticism I would have is that we didn't test the keeper enough in the second half in those conditions and our delivery from set pieces wasn't great.
"I didn't bring myself on because it was such a scrappy game and it was a toss up whether I would have made a difference or not.
"I was pleased with Hoppo (Rob Hopley) when he went on and I thought Lee (Davey) looked lively in the 10 minutes or so he was on, but it probably got to a stage where both teams were happy to take the 0-0 and go again in on Tuesday when conditions will hopefully be better.
The player-boss added: "It is probably an extra game we don't need, but we will certainly be going there looking for a result."
Newby said there is likely to be one or two changes for Tuesday with some players having played a lot of football and some of them carrying niggling injuries.
"It will be a different type of game on Tuesday. But you could see the quality they have in their side and we will need to be right on our game to beat them," he said.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lea, Meadowcroft, Hughes, McKenna, Evans, McLachlan, McEvilly (Hopley 70mins), Noon (Davey 83mins), Lloyd. Subs not used: McDonald, Newby, Williams.

THE lad who won the Half-Time Soccagon, and is new "World Champion" was Colwyn Bay U12 player Huw Jones.
ITV Wales are due to screen coverage of the demonstration and other club interviews on the fundraising campaign one night this week (possibly Monday).

FLEETWOOD TOWN have given the green light for Matty Hughes to play in Saturday's FA Carlsberg Trophy tie at against FC Halifax Town.
Although it means the 20-year-old central defender will be cup-tied when Fleetwood enter the competition next month, they have agreed for him to play and boost the Seagulls hopes of making progress in the lucrative competition.
The winners of Saturday's tie nets £4,000 in prizemoney as well as a place in the next round and Colwyn Bay could have their biggest gate of the season with Halifax expecting to bring around 200 of their big following to Llanelian Road's Red Lion Foods Stadium.
Jon Newby has one or two niggling injuries to check on before finalising his line-up, but midfield Fraser McLachlan, who recently returned from a spell with Nantwich Town, is clear to play as checks have revealed he didn't take part in Nantwich's first qualifying round defeat at Kendal last month.
Newby may again start on the bench but said: "A lot depends on how the players with slight niggles are because I don't want to change the side from last week any more than I have to."
Chris King is a doubt anyway with a groin strain suffered in Tuesday's night's 4-2 win in a friendly against Llangefni Town, while Liam Benson has been ill since Wednesday.
"We would like to have a run in this competition if we could, but we are under no illusions about how difficult a game it will be against Halifax," warned Newby.
"They are a good passing side, but are also are a strong, physical team and have been going well recently."
The Shaymen have recovered from a poor start to the campaign and have only been beaten twice in their last 13 games - with one of those defeats being to Npower League One leaders Charlton Athletic in the first round of the FA Cup.
Manager Neil Aspin believes a decision to switch left-back Danny Lowe and centre back Scott McManus has made a big difference and the side have won five of their seven games since that positional change.
"We were conceding a lot of goals and making mistakes at the back, but we have looked a lot more solid since making the swap," he said this week.
McManus in particular has blossomed at left back after struggling in his initial games following his move from FC United of Manchester in the summer.
He is very keen to do well against Colwyn Bay as he was in the FC United side beaten 1-0 at Llanelian Road in last season's the play-off final - a defeat that clearly still rankles.
"They put 10 men behind the ball, had one shot at goal and scored - I don't want that to happen again on Saturday," he told the Halifax Courier this week.
Loan signings James Walshaw from Darlington and Jamie Rainford from Chester have made a big difference in attack, but will need permission from their parent clubs to play tomorrow.
Colwyn Bay: (from) Sanna, Denson, Lea, Meadowcroft, Hughes, McKenna, Evans, McEvilly, Noon, Lloyd, Newby, McDonald, Hopley, Davey, Rouse, King, Benson, Williams.

THE ITV Wales cameras will be at Saturday's FA Trophy tie against Halifax when a new Half-time Soccagon game will be demonstrated on the pitch as part of the Seagulls' fundraising campaign.
Local MP David Jones has expressed an interest in the idea, which has been pioneered by Old Colwyn fan Gareth Jones and has been dubbed "The Messi Machine."
The patented rebound boards used to play it will be manufactured and sold by Colwyn Bay FC with all initial profits going to the club's Raise the Roof fund to help build the new stand.
Soccagon is a skill trainer, exercise and new sport all in one, and both sexes as well as all abilities can play, from school kids upwards.
A football club must buy the board set from CBFC to play Half-Time Soccagon on the pitch, but for normal online playing in schools and youth clubs, 12 nine inch concrete blocks from local merchants like Jewson for around £20 is sufficient."
On match days football clubs can hold competitions to qualify for a five person squad for Half-time Soccagon on the pitch and times are added together.
Gareth Jones says: "Soccagon really comes to life when two soccagon are connected using a simple skype connection; a true team game experience, but environmentally friendly because nobody needs to travel.
"Football clubs, youth clubs, schools can compete constantly; so PE, a kick-about or a training session is transformed into a genuine engaging on-line competition."
Facebook/Soccagon Sports is where all competitors will register.
Spectators at the Colwyn Bay v Halifax match on Saturday will see a demonstration on how it all works, with a new Soccagon "World champion" being created.
ITV's Ian Lang is set to be there with a film crew to record it, and will also be interviewing club chairman Bob Paton over the fundraising campaign that must net over £30,000 if Colwyn Bay are to install the ground improvements needed to be allowed to remain in the Concerence North next season.

ROB HOPLEY scored twice and helped set up another as Colwyn Bay beat Llangefni Town 4-2 in a friendly tonight.
The Seagulls led 3-1 at half-time with Hopley scoring with a neat chip over keeper Sion Kyle and then later converting a penalty after Kyle had brought down Domain Rouse.
Lee Davey sandwiched another goal in between from Hopley's pull-back.
Sion Owen got one back for Llangefni before half-time after Bay's young tralists keeper spilled the ball from a long range shot, but Karl Noon got Bay's fourth goal seven minutes into the second half from a Rouse cross.
Davey also had a goal ruled out for offside from a Danny Lloyd cross.
Llangefni then finished the game strongly with Kev Garland heading their second goal from a corner and they were denied further success by two fine saves from the Bay keeper.
Chris Sanna didn't play because of slight neck injury and Simon Williams was working.
Chris King had to come off in the first half with a groin strain but he says it was more precautionary and he doesn't think it is too serious.
Colwyn Bay: Trialist, Benson, King (Denson), Hughes (Evans), McDonald, McKenna (Noon), Davey, Lea (Newby), Hopley (Lloyd), Rouse, trialist.

COLWYN BAY have a arranged a home friendly against Llangefni Town of the Cymru Alliance for Tuesday, November 22nd (7.30pm) at Llanelian Road's Red Lion Foods Stadium.
Admission for spectators is FREE and the social club bar and tea bar will both be open.

JON NEWBY was left hugely frustrated after seeing two highly debatable decisions go against his side in an unlucky 3-2 defeat at Hyde.
A tremendous strike by substitute Tom Fisher with his first touch on 77 minutes won the game for Hyde, to put them five points clear at the top of the table, but the officials certainly played a big part in the home side taking all three points.
A linesman controversially ruled the ball was over the line for their first goal when Mike Lea appeared to head Andy Pearson's header off the line from a corner. The Hyde players seemed as surprised as anybody at the decision - and, I am told, even Hyde fans who were level with the goalline said afterwards it was not a goal.
Then Danny Lloyd had what seemed a perfectly good goal ruled out after the referee initially gave it, then reversed the decision when the other linesman flagged for offside.
Apparently the decision was against Fraser McLachlan, but he played no part in the goal as McEvilly's shot from a free kick 25 yards out was spilled by keeper David Carnall and after two defenders failed to hack it clear, Lloyd ran in to prod it past all three into the net.
By my understanding of the new offside rule the goal should have stood.
It was the worst of a number of decisions that infuriated Newby, who had a heated exchange with the officals afterwards and also pointed to the fact that the they ignored three fouls on Danny Lloyd in a Bay attack just before Hyde's second goal from a free kick for a foul awarded against Mike Lea.
"They had three opportunities to give us a free kick and didn't - and Hyde have gone straight up the other end and scored from a free kick given to them," said the angry Bay player-boss. "Its things like that that really frustrate you."
Andy Griffin's free kick into the area was headed past Chris Sanna by Chris Berkeley to put Hyde 2-1 up on 62 minutes, after Danny Meadowcroft had earlier headed Colwyn Bay level before half-time from Danny Lloyd's cross following a Bay free kick.
Colwyn Bay equalised again to make it 2-2 on 72 minutes when Lloyd's pass sent Gaz Evans racing clear to shoot past the advancing keeper, only for Fisher to hit his match-winner five minutes later with a peach of a shot into the top corner from 25 yards.
That was cruel on Colwyn Bay, who had a couple of half chances late on to snatch a third equaliser, but couldn't find the finish.
Newby described his first defeat as player-manager as "unbelievably frustrating."
On the decisions he said: "I think the linesman has guessed when giving their first goal and the other linesman got it wrong in disallowing Lloydy's goal.
"He has told me that Fraz (McLachaln) was offside, but he hasn't touched the ball and Lloydy, (who was clearly onside) has scored it. I know it is a fine line, but by today's rules the goal should have stood and if we 'd gone in at half-time in the lead then I think the the energy, spirit and workrate we showed throughout the game would have seen us through - so that is incredibly frustrating.
"It is difficult talking about defeat when the players have given me and Stu (new assistant boss Stuart Barlow) so much. Again I can't praise them enough for their workrate and performance.
"Our energy levels were probably the highest I have ever seen them in the 18 months I've been here. All over the pitch the boys never stopped working and we played some terrific football at times - especially in the first half.
"Fraz (McLachlan) was superb in his first game back, but so were all the boys and it is difficult to single anyone out. If I had to pick one it would probably be Evo (Gaz Evans) for his energy and workrate, which were second to none, and the composure he showed in scoring his goal.
"Overall I think we have been more than a match for Hyde and if you were watching the game as a neutral you wouldn't have known who was top of the league.
"Hyde hadn't conceded a goal in nearly eight hours of football yet we've got two against them, had another wrongly disallowed and could have had a couple more, so we can take pride from that.
"The one disappointment is that we've conceded two goals from set pieces.
"Hyde, for all their reputation as a great passing side, haven't opened us up once from open play, yet they have got two goals from set pieces which we should have defended better.
"I am disappointed with the result but certainly not the performance and we can go into the next game against Halifax with a lot of confidence after the way we have played."
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Denson, Lea, Meadowcroft, Hughes, McKenna (Newby 82mins), Evans, McLachlan, McEvilly (Hopley 71mins), Noon, Lloyd. Subs not used: McDonald, Davey, Williams.
Attendance: 462

COLWYN BAY player-manager Jon Newby has expressed his disappointment at the shock early exit of skipper Damien Allen to join Bangor City for an undisclosed fee.
The former Stockport County and Bury midfielder can't play for Bangor until the Welsh Premier transfer window opens and Newby said: "We have been aware of Bangor's interest for some time, but we thought because Damo can't play for them until January we would be able to keep him until then.
"It has all happened quite suddenly, but he has made it clear that he doesn't want to play for us any more, and there is no point in keeping a player who feels like that.
"I am very disappointed because I get on well with him, but he has been offered a very good financial package by Bangor and says he doesn't want to jeopardise that deal by playing for another month for us and run the risk of being injured."
Danny Meadowcroft takes over as club captain.
Bangor' manager Neville Powell said in a club statement: "I am delighted to have signed a player of Damien's quality who will hopefully take us to the next level. He will add strength to what is already a strong midfield and will make the competition for places in the team even greater and keep all the players on their toes as we enter the second half of the season.
"I would like to thank Colwyn Bay FC for their co-operation in allowing us to sign Damien".
Newby has acted quickly by bringing back defensive midfielder Fraser McLachlan from Nantwich Town. He will go straight into the squad for Saturday's big game at league leaders Hyde.
McLachlan went to Nantwich earlier this season when he couldn't get a regular place in the Colwyn Bay team, but Newby said: "He was struggling with his fitness earlier in the season because he had just started a new job and wasn't always able to train, but that issue has now been resolved and he has had 12 games for Nantwich and I am told he has been playing very well.
"They have offered him a lot more money to stay there, but he wants to come back and play for us. It is not about the money with Fraz it is about playing for Colwyn Bay again and that is the kind of attitude and commitment you want from players."
Newby has a full strength squad available for what will be a big challenge at Hyde, who are three points clear at the top of the table and, with five successive clean sheets, have not conceded a goal in their last seven and a half hours of football .
They are undefeated in the league at home, although they did suffer a shock home defeat to Bradford Park Avenue in the FA Cup last month, and Colwyn Bay were unlucky to lose to a last minute goal against them at home in August.
Newby was delighted with last Saturday's win over thid-placed Gainsborough Trinity and commented: "We've beaten two of the current top three sides (Stalybridge and Gainsborough) this season and If we play as well as we did in the second half against Gainsborough last Saturday then we will give ourselves a chance."
Newby doesn't envisage too many changes from that side, but will make a late decision on whether to name himself in the starting line-up or among the substitutes, depending on what system he and new assistant manager Stuart Barlow opt for.
Colwyn Bay: (from) Sanna, Denson, Lea, Meadowcroft, Hughes, McKenna, Evans, Noon, McEvilly, McLachlan, Lloyd, Newby, McDonald, Hopley, Davey, Benson, King.

COLWYN BAY player-boss Jon Newby has appointed former Everton forward Stuart Barlow as his new assistant manager.
The 43-year-old Barlow made over 400 appearances for Everton, Oldham Athletic, Wigan Athletic, Tranmere Rovers and Bury during his playing career and is probably best remembered for scoring the winner for Tranmere Rovers when they came from 0-3 down at half-time to beat Southampton 4-3 in a sensational FA Cup replay in 2001 to reach the last eight.
Newby, who took over as player-manager of Seagulls two weeks ago, said: "I did my coaching badges with Stu and played with him at Bury. He has the same ideas about football as me and is a really bubbly character in the dressing room.
"He has been keen to get back into football and I am looking forward to working with him again. I am delighted he has agreed to join us at Colwyn Bay."
Although Barlow has done some coaching, it will his first post in management.
He will meet the Bay players for the first time at training on Thursday ahead of Saturday's tough game away to league leaders Hyde United.