Football: Canning set for FA Cup return for Colwyn Bay FC

Aug 29 2008 By Tim Channon

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THE FA Cup trail starts for Colwyn Bay on Saturday with a tricky preliminary round tie at fellow Unibond Leaguers Bamber Bridge (3pm).

 With prizemoney again increased this year through sponsors e-on, a good cup run can be very lucrative with winners on Saturday picking up £1,500 compared to £1,000 last year, and any team able to battle through to the final qualifying round  will pick up £16,500 as compared to £12,000 last year.

 Bamber Bridge have won only one of their opening four games this season, but assistant manager Paul Ogden was impressed with them when he went to watch them a couple of weeks ago.

 "They have conceded a few goals but they have also scored a few and  beat FC Halifax Town 3-0 in their opening league game. They are a threat up front and it is a tough tie for us," said manager Steve Pope.

"The FA Cup is greatest club competition in the world and getting a good run in it lifts the profile of the club and gives everybody a buzz, so hopefully we can do well."

ITV Wales filmed the Colwyn Bay players in training on Thursday night ahead of Saturday's tie and the manager added: "That gave all the players a lift and they are looking forward to the game - particualrly Andy Moran and Steve Aspinall who have both played for Bamber Bridge in the past."

Moran, who is on loan from Fleetwood, has been cleared to play and Colwyn Bay are hopeful that Karl Frost will be OK after suffering a dead leg in Monday's 1-1 draw against Woodley Spoprts.

 Dean Canning is back in attack after missing that game as he was attending the birth of his new baby daughter.

The Seagulls missed Canning's industry and guile up front against Woodley Sports and his return will be important to their hopes of progressing ot the next round.

First report of the match will be on Tim Channon's Sports Scene blog on Saturday evening, along with news of Llandudno's home match against Buckley Town and other local football results.