Football: Colwyn Bay sign former Wrexham striker Lee McEvilly

Oct 27 2011

FORMER Wrexham and Northern Ireland striker Lee McEvilly is in line to make his debut for Colwyn Bay at Boston United this Saturday (3pm).

Much-travelled McEvilly, 29, signed for the Seagulls on Tuesday night and manager Dave Challinor believes he will boost a front line badly in need of a tonic.

“We need someone who can get hold of the ball and Lee certainly fits the bill,” said Challinor.

“He’s a big, strong, aggressive and very experienced front man who is horrible to play against and he will benefit our young players.”

McEvilly won his only senior cap for Northern Ireland against Spain in 2002, but he also appeared nine times for the under-21s.

His early career brought spells at Rochdale, Accrington Stanley and Wrexham, but in recent years he has played for several non-league clubs, the last of them Chorley who released him this month.

Challinor is also running the rule over former Port Vale midfielder Ryan Connolly, who recently returned from a spell playing in Sweden, and has put in seven days on another striker.

Last weekend's 2-0 home defeat to top 10 rivals Corby Town finally broke the manager's patience with his misfiring attack averaging only a goal a game.

The Seagulls are only four points off the top five, but the boss knows his side have to start scoring more if they are to maintain a realistic challenge for a play-off spot.

"We had some good opportunities to create chances and take control of the game and we didn't take them," he said. "We told the players at half-time that if they weren't more clinical in the final third we would be made to pay for it – and that is exactly what happened.

"In the end we have conceded two sloppy goals from free-kicks near the halfway line which we haven't dealt with.

"After that, the players haven't been brave enough to get hold of the ball and play with it and have taken the easy option of lumping long balls forward.

"That is not how I want us to play the game – if I did I would put together a team of six footers!

"If the players we have can't follow instructions and do what we ask of them then we have to bring in others that can."

The Seagulls had the best chance in a goal-less and pretty featureless first half when Rob Hopley was clear but lifted his shot over the bar.
Corby sealed the points with two goals in four second half minutes.

Matt Rhead converted a 71st minute penalty after Nick Rogan's shot hit Hopley's arm at point blank range inside the area.

The home side were unlucky not to equalise when Lee Davey hit a post.

But two minutes later Colwyn Bay conceded a killer second from a long free-kick, Trevor Smith heading past Chris Sanna from close range.

The club are holding an open meeting for supporters and shareholders this Sunday at the Llanelian Road clubhouse (2pm) where the main agenda item will be an update on the required ground grading following the recent Football Association inspection.