Football: Colwyn Bay FC win and receive striker boost

Oct 29 2009

COLWYN BAY 1 BAMBER BRIDGE 0

UNIBOND LEAGUE DIV ONE NORTH

TABLE-TOPPING Colwyn Bay have been boosted by the news of Tranmere Rovers’ agreement to extend striker Josh Macauley’s loan deal at Llanelian Road for another month.

The 18-year-old joined the Seagulls for an initial month at the end of September, but has made such a big impression with the Unibond Division One North leaders that manager Neil Young requested a longer stay and the Prentonians have approved.

While Macauley remains part of the Bay’s immediate future, however, the club this week released front man Alex Hay. The ex-Tranmere and Rushden and Diamonds player had managed just one goal for Colwyn this season.

"Alex wanted to be playing more often and I couldn’t promise him that," said Young. "He’s a different type of forward to what I’m looking for at the moment."

Colwyn Bay travel to mid-table Chorley this Saturday afternoon with just one defeat on their record in 13 league matches.

"It’s a difficult place to go, they’ve had some good results this season," added Young. "I’ve had Stuart Graves out with flu and James Dunn with mumps, but I’m hoping to have both back for Saturday."

Even when they are not firing on all cylinders the Bay continue to grind out results, Saturday’s hard- fought 1-0 home win over Bamber Bridge a typical example.

"As I’m sure with many games on Saturday, the elements played a major part," said Young, whose team went five points clear at the summit.

"Although we scored the goal in the first half, I don’t really feel we did enough, and nearly came a cropper in the second half as a result.

"It was backs to the wall stuff against the strong wind after the break, but to be fair the lads showed a good attitude, put their bodies on the line and dealt with everything that came into our box.

"Bamber Bridge are a good side so I was delighted with the result. We’ve beaten four of the top seven teams 1-0 now which proves we’re worthy of our position."

The game produced few clear chances, but the visitors enjoyed the better of the opening stages before Colwyn began to get a grip on proceedings.

Macauley skimmed the bar for the hosts before the only goal arrived on 22 minutes. A corner was played short to Luke Denson who drilled the ball into the six-yard box and Tom McGill scored with a cheeky back-heel which completely outfoxed the Bridge defence and goalkeeper.

Bay almost doubled their lead before the break when midfielder Jimmy Kelly’s 35-yard screamer was well saved by Bamber custodian Mike Hale.

The visitors nearly equalised in bizarre circumstances early in the second period when with the wind playing havoc, Seagulls defender Louis Corrigan’s attempted clearance came back off his own post.

On 56 minutes Bamber’s Terry Watt had a golden opportunity to equalise when a cross from the flank came to him six yards out, but with just keeper Chris Sanna to beat, the striker miscued horribly.

Sanna, who had an outstanding all-round game, had to be at his best on the hour when he pulled off a superb stop from a 30-yard Martin Moran rocket.

Young’s men nearly doubled their lead in the 78th minute when substitute Neil Black released fellow replacement Ian Sheridan whose firm strike from the edge of the 18-yard box was smartly saved.