Colwyn Bay vs. Prestatyn (Tim Channon)
DAVE CHALLINOR won't have gained too much from Colwyn Bay's 4-3 home defeat to Prestatyn Town on Tuesday night (July 20) in which the Seagulls played a team made up mostly of trialists.
None of them were able to make much of an impression on a foul night of increasingly heavy rain, but although this defeat ruined the new manager's previous unbeaten pre-season record, you can't blame him for using the game to have a look at players keen enough to have asked for a trial - just in case there was a hidden gem among them.
Sadly a couple of them looked out of their depth with the right back giving away a penalty and a free kick from which Prestatyn scored their first half goals through Mike Parker and Ian Griffiths to lead 2-1 at half-time.
Tim Brandreth, Steve Aspinall and Mike McGraa were the only instantly recognisable starters for the Bay, and it was McGraa who volleyed their goal on 25 minutes from a right wing cross.
The Bay looked better in the second half with the introduction of Luke Denson, Jon Newby, Lee Davey and Lee Hammond from the bench and I thought Newby in particular looked good, setting up two more goals for the Bay (an own goal under pressure from Lee Davey and close range finish by Mike Burke). The former Liverpool and Bury forward put in some good runs and linked up very promisingly with Luke Denson down the right.
Prestatyn made wholesale changes in the second half, but capitalised on a defence missing the likes of Danny Grannon, Dave Challinor, Martin Beattie and Chris Sanna, to beat loaned keeper Paul Davies twice more through Steve Rogers and Jon Fisher Cook (to lead 3-1 and 4-2) and secure their win.
Lee Davey (twice) and Steve Aspinall both went close with long range efforts and Joe O'Sullivan, who also worked hard, had a couple of shots blocked by defenders as the Bay had the chances to rescue a draw.
I expect the Bay to return to a more recognisable line-up for Saturday's game against Llangefni, although two or three players are still away on holiday. |
