Football: Christmas signing for Colwyn Bay FC

Dec 24 2008 By Tim Channon

COLWYN BAY manager Neil Young has strengthened his defensive options in Christmas week by signing Tom Spearritt from Warrington Town ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Woodley Sports (3pm).

The former Witton Albion skipper can play right side or in the centre and the manager commented: "He gives us more options and virtually completes our defensive rebuilding."

The Bay have also put in seven days notice to speak to a striker and is looking to possibly bring in another midfielder in January.

The signing of Spearritt reinforces a defence that is currently the fourth best in Unibond Division 1 North.

Only Durham City, Newcastle Blue Star and Curzon Ashton have conceded fewer goals – and all three have played fewer games.

The Seagulls face another challenge on Woodley’s artificial pitch on Friday, but the manager added: "We train on a similar surface and it shouldn’t create too many problems once we get use to the bounce of the ball."

The side produced an excellent second half performance to maintain their good league form with a 3-1 win at Lancaster City last Saturday after being a goal down at half-time, with Chris Sanna beaten by a deflected shot from Lee Dodgson.

"We changed one or two things tactically at the interval and I thought we were outstanding in the second half," reported the manager.

It took the Bay just 13 minutes after the break to go in front, with Rob Hopley scoring from Dean Canning’s driven cross and Lee Davey adding the second from Canning's cross as McGraa and the keeper Mark Thornley collided with each other trying to reach it.

Thornley was injured in the collision and later had to be replaced, while opposite number Chris Sanna, who has now committed himself to staying long term at the Bay, made a couple of tremendous saves to help keep the Bay in front, including a full length dive to tip a Dodgson shot round the post.

But the Bay wrapped up the points near the end when Hopley ran onto a through ball and rounded the stand-in keeper to score his 12th goal of the season from a tight angle.

Andy Teague was sent off after repeatedly trying to clip Hopley’s ankles as he ran into the penalty area, and although Hopley had to come off, he is expected to be fit for Friday.

A report from Friday’s game will be on Tim Channon’s Sporting Scene blog from Friday evening.