YOUNG: WE NEED TO BE ON OUR GAME
Neil Young is looking ahead to tomorrow nights home game against Trafford with words of warning to the players to be “at their best” after a pretty nervy affair on Saturday as the Bay clung on for a vital 1-0 win on a day Newcastle & Halifax both dropped points at home.

Neil Young commented “we were very satisfied with getting the three points on Saturday. Radcliffe are a difficult side to play against and are on the back of a draw at Skelmersdale and a victory against Durham so they were always going to be tough nut to crack. Ashton Taylor again showed how important a player he has been since arriving on loan from Tranmere with an excellent piece of skill and execution in the scoring of his goal and I am extremely happy to have agreed an extension to his loan deal until the 5th May”

“Looking forward to Tuesday night against Trafford who I thought, when we played them in the second week I arrived here, would of been pushing towards the playoffs such was the quality of their football. They have two of the best strikers in the league and will always cause problems for teams with their brand of “pass and move” football.”

“Our lads again will need to be 'on their game' if we are to take the three points which will put us in touching distance of a guaranteed playoff place. It is always difficult playing sides who are not under any pressure as they can play with fluidity and confidence and I think at times are younger players are now starting to feel the expectation on them and the nerves are getting to a few of them a bit.”

“We may feel that Saturday was not all goals and chances like in previous games but again you can't take away the fighting spirit of the team to ensure the three points stayed at Llanelian Road.”

“I would like to credit both sets of fans at the game on Saturday because the atmosphere and banter was excellent and created an excellent environment for football.”

On Saturday the season’s second highest gate of 462, boosted by the “Tickets for Schools” promotion, helped to create an excellent atmosphere and the team will be hoping for continued support for the remaining home games with Trafford next up at Llanelian Road..

Team news…Eddie Jebb returns from suspension and Danny Edwards is set to have a late fitness test in an otherwise full strength squad. Ex-Northwich Vics defender Danny Jarrett (pictured right) may possibly be called in to make his debut following his signing from Woodley Sports last week.  

TAYLOR LOAN EXTENDED FOR REST OF THE SEASON
Colwyn Bay Manager Neil Young was given a further boost with confirmation that on-loan teenage sensation Ashton Taylor has been allowed to extend his loan deal for the rest of the season. Taylor (pictured below hitting the winner against Radcliffe on Saturday), originally a centre half, has played in a central midfield role since coming to the Bay. He has managed 6 goals in the last 6 games with some excellently taken strikes including a hat-trick against Lancaster at home when played in a more advanced attacking role. The loan is subject to a 24 hour recall.

SKEM NEXT BIG TEST FOR BAY
Colwyn Bay moved upto 2nd in the Unibond First Division North table last weekend as loan star Ashton Taylor (pic.right) notched a superb hattrick to secure yet another win, this time 4-1 at home to Lancaster City. Eddie Jebb blasted the other with a rifled shot into the roof of the net just after half-time.

The next big test now comes this Saturday with a "six pointer" away to fellow play-off challengers Skelmersdale Utd. Skem have enjoyed some excellent runs in the FA Cup & FA Trophy this season and were one of the red-hot favorites for promotion this term. They have also beaten the Bay at Llanelian Road twice already this season, 6-2 & 2-1.

Manager Neil Young comments ahead of the game "It is another big game for the club and i believe this could be the game that defines if we are going to be in the title hunt come the end of the season.Skem are an excellent side who i have seen on many occasions this season"
"It is now mine and Gary's job to plot a way of beating them on Saturday and making sure the lads are fully briefed on what is expected from them in order to do this."
"This game could shape our title challenge either way and i would ask all our supporters if you can make it to Skem it would be greatly apprieciated by myself and the team. Your singing and support has been a massive lift to the lads in our recent away games. "

A post match interview with last weekends hat-trick hero Ashton Taylor & Manager Neil Young can be found in the "FANSZONE" section by clicking here

Next home game:
COLWYN BAY vs RADCLIFFE BORO
Saturday 28th March : KO 3pm


Car Boot's to Boost Clubs Community Drive
Colwyn Bay Football Club are pleased to announce that they have received permission from Conwy County Council to organise and hold regular Car Boot Sales on their Car Park at Llanelian Road. The club are keen to develop their Community engagement initiatives and Youth Football programme, the car boot sales will generate funds to positively develop these exciting projects. In additional there are also plans to hold a Car Boot to help raise funds for Ty Gobaith Childrens Hospice in the summer.

Mal Jackson, CBFC Community Development Director, see this as a great opportunity and commented, "Car Boot Sales are a popular "hobby" which the local community and the surrounding population can enjoy. The added bonus is that it brings people together for a morning of fun and bargain hunting, especially in these difficult economic times. We believe that this activity coupled with several other fund raising initiatives, will allow us to continue to develop the many community initiatives we have planned as part of the club strategy, with our aim to be a community football club for local people. We are very grateful to Conwy County Council for granting us permission to hold the events, and this further reflects in the strong partnership we have, and will continue to build upon, with our local council.

The Car Boot Sales themselves are being organised by the Clubs very own Catering Manager, 'Canteen' Karl Roberts, who outlined the details, "The Car Boot Sales will be held every Sunday. Sellers are welcome from 7am, with buyers from 8am. The costs are from just £5 for a car. Hot snacks & refreshments will be available. I suggest that you get down early in order to get yourself a good pitch and we look forward to seeing you there."

For any further information you can contact Karl Roberts on 07971 900512 or email: fishyfings@yahoo.co.uk

COLWYN BAY vs LANCASTER
Saturday 14th March (3pm) Colwyn Bay entertain Lancaster at home on Saturday in the first of a number of fixtures against teams challenging for a play-off position. Colwyn Bay manager Neil Young commented ahead of the game "Lancaster will again be a very difficult game against a side who are also looking for promotion.

When we played Lancaster away i think this is probably the turning point in the confidence and self belief of our players when they came back from a goal down to win 3-1 on the 23rd December and since then have lost only one game which is a testament to the players.

It also fitting that the return match will see the the Club pick up the Club of the Month award for February, which is an award for everyone connected at the club from the Board of Directors, Matchday staff, Volunteers, Management and playing staff and of course our loyal fans."

"Finally i would urge all the fans who have been singing and supporting the players particularly over the last few weeks when i believe they have 'upped the ante' to please keep it going and if possible encourage more people to join them in our quest for promotion." Please come down to Llanelian Road on Saturday and support the boys in their quest for promotion.

COLWYN BAY FC OFFERS DISCOUNT TO STUDENTS
In what promises to be a very exciting end of season run in as the team continues its assault on the play-offs, Colwyn Bay Football Club is offering a special admission rate for students and staff of Coleg Llandrillo. Admission to home games for the rest of this season can be gained for just £2 on production of a valid NUS or Coleg Llandrillo ID card.

TAYLOR LOAN DEAL EXTENDED
Tranmere Rovers have agreed to allow midfielder Ashton Taylor to remain at Colwyn Bay for another month. The deal was agreed with the blessing of Tranmere Rovers who have been impressed with the set-up at Llanelian Road and after the player himself indicated that he was very keen to stay on at the club. Ashton has player a major part in the recent winning run and the club are delighted to have him remain with us. We would also like to thank Tranmere Rovers for agreeing to allow him to stay.

HALIFAX IRISH CLUB JUNIORS THANK THE BAY
Grant McIndoe received an email today, from James Nolan, who runs the Irish Club Juniors FC Under 8's.  He has asked Grant to pass on his thanks to the Bay fans who cheered the under 8’s at their five-a-side game at the Shay during half time on Saturday.  Below is his letter of thanks.

Dear Secretary,

I just wanted to drop a quick note to Colwyn Bay FC supporters who travelled to the match at Halifax Town on Feb 28th.

During the half time interval of that game, Halifax Irish Club Junior FC Under 8's played a 5-a-side match to entertain the crowd. There were a good few dozen Colwyn Bay fans amongst the Halifax supporters.

I'd like to say, on behalf of Halifax Irish Club Junior FC, a massive THANK YOU to the Colwyn Bay fans for cheering on the lads during their 5-a-side game, and for getting right behind the lads, cheering on the skills, goals and goal celebrations.  Along with the Halifax fans, it created a brilliant atmosphere - all the boys thoroughly enjoyed it.

I hope you might be able to pass on our thanks to the Colwyn Bay supporters via your next match day programme.  The secretary at Halifax Town is intending to publish some photos of the 5-a-side game on to the Halifax website which I hope you may get a chance to view.

All the best for the remainder of the season, and thank you once again.

James Nolan
On behalf of Halifax Irish Club Juniors FC Under 8's.

On Saturday evening as Grant was leaving the Shay, he was handed a letter of apology from Halifax Goalkeeper Jon Kennedy.

He apologises for his behaviour at the end of last weeks game at Colwyn Bay, and wishes his apology to be relayed to those spectators who complained about his foul language.

BAY SCOOP CLUB OF THE MONTH AWARD
The UniBond League has awarded Colwyn Bay Football Club with the “Club of the Month” award for February.

During the month, the Bay has won 4 out of 5 games with one draw, scoring 11 goals along the way.

The team remain unbeaten in 2009 and are on the verge of a play-off spot with games in hand. A win on Tuesday at home to Warrington could potentially see the team move into fourth spot, a position that was almost unthinkable when Neil Young and his assistant Gary Jones first took over.

Well done to the management team and players on securing this award.

YOUNG: PLAYERS FRUSTRATED WITH DRAW
I thought it was again a massive effort from the players against a good Halifax side and although they did have much more of the possession over the ninety minutes, up until they scored our goalkeeper had very little to do. We created three or four good chances in the first half with Rob Hopley hitting the bar and I thought we were comfortable in the second half until the referee intervened with a decision which I am still struggling to understand.

That decision which ultimately was their equaliser gave Halifax a lift and with their large crowd behind them they pushed us hard in the last 15 minutes with our players getting tired due to the huge effort they had put in and Halifax looking to avenge their defeat of last week.

Nothing should be taken away from the players because Halifax is a very difficult place to come at any time, with excellent resources and infrastructure and a crowd who demand passion and 3 points at all times, but up until their disputed goal I thought we defended well and were quite comfortable. If someone would have said you can take 4 points from the two Halifax games I would have taken them without hesitation it is just frustrating that we were so close to the six.

I thought both sets of supporters created an excellent atmosphere for the game to be played in and a special mention must go to the travelling Colwyn Bay fans who gave the lads massive support throughout the game and I would personally like to say if it is possible and I know finances for everyone can be an issue at this moment, please keep up this support and noise for the remaining fixtures home and away.

I have been here five months now and there have been a lot of personnel changes in that time and we have come a long way in a very short time but I hope you are all enjoying it and let’s hope we can keep it going until the end of the season.

Neil Young