Evo-Stik Premier: Colwyn Bay FC to face FC United in play-off final

 Source: Daily Post

 TWO first-half goals gave Colwyn Bay victory over North Ferriby in front of a crowd of over 861 last night and secured their place in next Monday's play-off final against FC United of Manchester.

That game at Llanelian Road will be all ticket, with tickets going on sale at the ground from 3pm today.

It looks set to be a tremendous occasion with FC United certain to bring a huge following after they beat Bradford Park Avenue in last night's other semi-final.

The only down side for the Seagulls last night was the injuries to Jon Newby and their star attacker Jimmy McCarthy.

Both had to be withdrawn at half-time with head injuries and could be struggling for Monday.

Colwyn Bay made a great start to the game and were a goal up after just nine minutes.

A long throw into the area by Jimmy McCarthy was played back by Danny Meadowcroft for Rob Hopley to volley a right-footed shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the area.

McCarthy then broke through on the right but shot wide.

North Ferriby looked threatening when they attacked but they were close to conceding a second goal on 15 minutes when another long throw by McCarthy picked out Meadowcroft whose header hit the top of the bar and bounced over.

Wayne Brooksby fired a shot narrowly over the bar and Alex Davidson and Russell Fry both brought diving saves from Chris Sanna as the Yorkshire side probed for an equaliser, and skipper Paul Foot headed wide from a corner.

Joe McMahon then headed goalwards from a McCarthy corner only for a North Ferriby defender to divert it over the bar, but Colwyn Bay got a second goal two minutes into added time at the end of the first half.

McCarthy cut inside his full-back and although his shot was blocked, he followed up to score with a brave header as he was clattered by keeper Adam Nicklin and a defender.

Newby was also hurt in a clash of heads during the build up to the goal and neither he or McCarthy, who also suffered a clash of heads in his collision, came out for the second half.

Newby needed stitches in a head wound and McCarthy was sporting a huge swelling on the side of his face.

Colwyn Bay started the second half well, however, with Damien Allen and Danny Meadowcroft both shooting narrowly over the bar.

But as the half progressed, and without the threat of McCarthy down the right, they dropped deeper and deeper into a defensive shell and looked to play mainly on the break.

Even so they could have increased their lead with Allen playing in substitute Karl Noon for a great chance, but he pulled his shot wide of the far post as the keeper came out to meet him.

Second substitute Alex Titchiner was then tripped as he was breaking clear on goal, but North Ferriby defender James Williams escaped with only a booking.

Damien Allen also went close again with a volley from 20 yards that swung narrowly wide.

The closing minutes saw North Ferriby camped in Colwyn Bay's half, but apart from beating away a shot from Gary Bradshaw, home keeper Sanna did not have a save to make as Colwyn Bay ran down the clock and secured their place in Monday's final.