Football: Colwyn Bay FC suffer loan bid setback

Oct 9 2008 By Tim Channon

COLWYN BAY manager Neil Young has been unable to bring in a new midfielder in time for Saturday’s tough away game at Clitheroe, after suffering a knock back in his bid to get a player on loan from Tranmere Rovers.

He had been hoping to get the green light from the Coca Cola League side this week but admitted : "I think it may be dead in the water now.

A hamstring injury to the influential Steve Aspinall in last  Monday night’s 1-1 draw with Salford City, makeshim very doubtful for the Clitheroe game and Robbie Williams still suspended until next monday.

"Steve has had some treatment, but Saturday may come too early for him," admitted the manager."

"We struggled after he went off on Monday and it shows we need more cover in midfield and we are trying to address that, but are not having much luck at the moment."

The manager has already delighted fans by bringing last season’s 30-goal striker Neil Black back to the club from Cammell Laird and has also signed Danny Edwards, the Cheshire League’s top scorer at Poulton Vics for the last two years.

"I tried to sign him for Cammell Laird last year, but due to work commitments and one or two other things it didn’t happen, but I’m delighted he’s come to Colwyn Bay."

He made a good impression when he was introduced for the last 10 minutes against Salford on Monday.

The 1-1 draw, however, was a disappointing result against a side without a win in the league so far this season – although they looked anything but a bottom of the table side.

They moved the ball around at pace and, in the end, might have won but for a fine save late on by Matt Parry and a glaring miss by their substitute Les Bancroft.

Skipper Steve Brackenridge gave them the lead on 11 minutes, but Colwyn Bay were level six minutes later when Black won the ball on the bye-line and pulled it back for Rob Hopley to score.

Black was as lively as ever up front, and might have scored in the opening five minutes but for losing his footing when clean through on goal.

He missed a couple of other chances in the second half and should have played Hopley in with just the keeper to beat, but tried to take it on himself and lost possession.

Neil Young admits the new players he has brought will need a bit of time to blend in together, but admitted he was disappointed with Monday’s performance.

"We weren’t at the races. The injury to Aspinall hit us badly, but I still expected better," he said.

After Saturday’s trip to Clitheroe, who have won five of their six games so far and are among the early title favourites, Colwyn Bay are at home to Trafford on Monday.

First reports on these two games will appear on Tim Channon’s sporting scene blog.