Colwyn Bay FC faces tough decisions ahead of tie

 Source: North Wales Weekly News

 Oct 28 2010

 COLWYN Bay player-manager Dave Challinor admits he has a lot to mull over ahead of Saturday’s FA Trophy tie against FC United of Manchester at Bury’s Gigg Lane ground after his side’s inconsistent home form continued with Tuesday night’s 3-0 defeat to Marine.

The Seagulls have now dropped 13 points out of a possible 21 at Llanelian Road, and that is undoing much of the excellent work being achieved on the road where they are still undefeated in the league.

Challinor was highly critical of some of his players after Tuesday’s disappointing defeat and said: "I thought the body language and attitude of some of them stunk to be honest – and I have told them so. Marine showed more desire and outworked and outfought us."

He will certainly be looking for much better on Saturday.

"It is an important game not only in what it means to the club financially (£3,000 in prize money to the winners of Saturday’s tie), but it is a chance for our lads to show what they are capable on a big stage in front of a big crowd against one of the best supported teams in the league," he added.

It also means a return to Gigg Lane for Challinor, assistant Colin Woodthorpe, Jon Newby and skipper Damien Allen who spent over 15 years between them playing for Bury in the Football League.

FC United, after an inconsistent start to their league campaign, have been in great form of late and have a televised FA Cup first round tie against Rochdale to look forward to after beating Blue Square Premier side Barrow in the final qualifying round last Sunday.

Midfielder Gareth Evans is a doubt for Saturday’s tie after suffering a nasty whack on the ankle on Tuesday, but defender Danny Grannon is likely to start after returning from injury and having a couple of run outs as substitute, while Mick McGraa will also be back after missing two games with flu.

Tuesday’s league tussle saw Marine take a 17th minute lead through Neil Harvey, who added a cheeky back-heeled second on 63 minutes.

Colwyn Bay did produce a late rally, but Marine broke away in added time for Jamie Rainford to seal a well-deserved victory with the third.

Win at Retford

COLWYN Bay maintained their outstanding unbeaten away record in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division on Saturday with a 5-3 triumph at Retford United.

The Bay totally dominated proceedings early on and raced into a 3- 0 lead after 35 minutes with goals from Dave Challinor, Damien Allen and Karl Noon before Retford clawed back two before half-time.

Colwyn came out of the starting blocks quickly to extend the lead after 49 minutes with a close range effort from Gaz Evans before Noon restored the three-goal advantage.

Retford hit back with a great long range effort to bring the score back to 5-3 but it was not enough to prevent the Seagulls returning home with all three points.

Bay player-manager Challinor said: "We are delighted with the three points, but I admit that at half-time I was absolutely furious we’d allowed them back into the game when at 3-0 we should have been out of sight.

"I asked for a response at half-time and two goals in the opening five minutes really settled any nerves from the end of the first half."