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Home > 2007-08 Season > Match Reports > Colwyn Bay (13.11.07)

MATCH REPORT

Colwyn Bay 2 Bamber Bridge 1

Northern Premier League Challenge Cup 2nd Round

at Llanelian Road

Tuesday 13th November 2007

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge went out of the League Challenge Cup in the Second Round last night despite producing a battling display on the North Wales coast. After taking a deserved lead in the first-half, the South Ribble side were eventually worn down by their determined hosts at windswept Llanelian Road.

Brig were looking to bounce back from their narrow defeat in the league at Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday and were also keen to make further progress in the League Cup competition after eliminating neighbours Chorley by 2-1 in the First Round back in September at Irongate. Their First Division South hosts, Colwyn Bay, were hoping to continue with their recent good form which has seen the North Wales club gain two impressive victories. After eliminating Premier Division strugglers Frickley Athletic from FA Trophy by 2-1 away on the 3rd November, the ‘Seagulls’ hammered Kidsgrove Athletic 5-2 in the league at Llanelian Road on Saturday.

Phil Entwistle made three changes to his starting line-up from the game at the Horsfall Stadium at the weekend. Paul McMenemy returned at full-back with Tom Ince moved forward to a more familiar roll on the left wing. Skipper Alex Porter was moved inside to fill the void left by new signing Dave Eaton who was cup-tied. Matt Mahoney was restored to midfield with Adam Tong reverting back into the centre of defence to replace the injured Steve Williams. Damian Dashti returned to the colours following a long lay-off through injury, and was used as one of the substitutes. Noticeable absentees were leading scorer Ryan Salmon, who remains on the injury list and midfielder Danny Mahoney who was unavailable.

Both sides went close in a vigorous opening spell. Alex Porter made the early running for Brig when setting up Stephen Brown straight from the kick-off with a brisk through-ball, but the midfielder fired well wide from a good position. The Welshmen responded quickly when Mark Quayle found John Lawless in space but the speedy midfielder missed an easy chance, shooting across the face of the goal.

As both sides worked extremely hard for early supremacy, the visitors suffered a blow on 21 minutes when Tom Ince collided with Bay goalkeeper Jamie Speare just outside the box and was badly injured. The former Burnley man was rushed to hospital where he was later detained with a suspected punctured lung.

Brig began to settle into their rhythm, playing with great authority, and went ahead just past the half-hour mark. A long throw-in by Adam Tong was knocked on by Porter and NEIL SPENCER tucked the ball home from close in.

The ‘Seagulls’ countered and almost got an immediate equaliser when Tim Brandeth shot just wide of the post from a Martin Crowder corner-kick. Terry McCormick then had to be at his best when parrying away an Adam Wade blockbuster as Bay stepped up the pressure.

However, good work on the left flank by Spencer and Porter nearly came to fruition on 36 minutes for the visitors but their efforts foundered on a resilient defence well marshalled by Kyle Armstrong.
Brig had a let-off a couple of minutes later when James Olson slid his shot beyond McCormick and the far post when it looked easier to have scored. The Welsh battlers made a breakthrough on the stroke of half-time when a Crowder free-kick on the left hand edge of the Brig penalty box was powerfully headed home by the inrushing NEIL BLACK..

There was nothing to choose between the sides as the second-half got under way with both defences in resolute mood and chances were few and far between.

McMenemy opened up the home defence with a well-flighted through-ball on the hour mark but Spencer’s path was blocked as he bore down on goal.

Two minutes later the Llanelian Road faithful were in full voice as their favourites got their noses in front with a well worked goal. Crowder worked his way down the left flank and sent in a perfect cross which was headed home with great aplomb by substitute ANTHONY MURT.

Brown robbed a defender before skimming his shot narrowly wide of the far post as Brig responded. Then the visitors were desperately unlucky on 70 minutes when Spencer struck the goalpost from a Tong cross which had been touched on by Porter. The South Ribble side were full of running as they sought parity and Brown put in Porter on 78 minutes but ‘Seagulls’ full-back Steve Wynne moved quickly to block the flying wingman’s effort.

Colwyn Bay should have increased their lead on 82 minutes when Black ran through a static defence and drew McCormick off his line but spoiled the moment by shooting tamely into the side-netting. The Welshmen came again but Glenn Steel scrambled the ball to safety in the nick of time.

Brig continued to huff and puff as the minutes ticked away but just couldn’t find the vital breakthrough.
Despite having enjoyed a full-blooded and entertaining cup tie, the thoughts of players and spectators alike were turned to the stricken Brig winger detained in the local hospital.

Bamber Bridge: McCormick, Fleming, McMenemy, Melling (Watson 76mins), Tong, Steel, Brown, M Mahoney, Spencer, Porter, Ince (Dashti 23mins). Unused Sub: Carroll

Goals: Spencer (31 mins)

Attendance: 466