Sporting Scene

Mochdre beat the rain to go top

2008-08-17T00:10:55Z

MOCHDRE made it six wins in their last seven games to go top of the North Wales Cricket League's Premier Division on Saturday (Aug 16). While their rivals, including Llandudno, had their games abandonded late on through rain, Mochdre sprinted to an early victory at Bethesda, bowling the home side out for 75 in less than 30 overs after putting them in, with Gareth Goodson (4 for 24), Adam Campion (3 for 8 in 4.3 overs) and Russ Boswell (2 for 30) taking the wickets. Will Evans then hit 47 not out as Mochdre rattled off the runs to win on 76 for 1 in just 10.4 overs. On current form Mochdre must now be favourites for the title with five games left.

Penalty winner for Colwyn Bay, Llandudno beaten

2008-08-16T17:47:30Z

AN injury time penalty by Steve Aspinall gave Colwyn Bay the points with a 2-1 victory over Garforth Town in their opening Unibond Division One North fixture of the new season. And you could see by the reactions of manager Steve Pope and chairman Geoff Cartwright at the final whistle just how much victory in the opening game meant to them. The Seagulls had led 1-0 with a 32nd minute headed own goal by Garforth's Wayne Harratt from an Aspinall free kick, but they suffered a double blow with 15 minutes left . Goalkeeper Farai Jackson had to go off with an abdominal injury after being hurt in a goalmouth scramble which saw the ball cleared for a corner, and then from the flag kick Harratt headed the equaliser past stand-in keeper Neil Coverley. Harratt's topsy-turvey game saw him red carded for a two-footed tackle on Colwyn Bay substitute Mark Soribow, who then headed against the bar from a corner as Bay pressed for a winner. And in the first of six minutes of added time at the end of the game, Dean Canning was brought down as he burst into the area past Garforth defender Nick Jagger, and Aspinall coolly put away the penalty to win the game. "Heads could have gone down after the injury to Jacko and their goal, but the players showed great character to come back and win it," said Steve Pope. "We've instilled in the players to keep going for the full 90 minutes and they did that and got the reward, but we made it hard for oursleves. We got through them three times in the first half but failed to finish and we have to kill games off when we get chances like that." Dean Canning shot over the bar when he was played in by Karl Frost and had a shot saved at full stretch by Garforth keeper Gavin Phillips, who also blocked two efforts from Rob Hopley in one-on-one situations. Phillips was relieved, however, to see a lobbed shot by Steve Aspinall from the halfway line land on top of the net with the keeper out of position. Hopley and Canning were a handful for the Yorkshire side in a hectic game, while Robbie Williams worked hard in midfield, but there were some anxious moments for the Seagulls who were fortunate that the Yorkshire side missed the target with a couple of clear cut chances. Neil Coverley was disappointed to concede the goal after taking over from the injured Jackson. "I've played in goal three times before and that's the first goal I've conceded," he said with a smile. Physio Colin Edwards said Jackson would be going for a scan to see the extent of his injury, but the club do have cover in Matt Parry and newly signed Chris Sanna from Chester. LLANDUDNO suffered 2-1 home defeat to Ruthin Town in their opening game in the Cymru Alliance as Ruithin manager Adie Jones continued his good record in matches against Llandudno in recent years. After Mike Garrod gave Ruthin an early lead, Joe Morgan equalised for Llandudno shortly before half-time, but Ruthin won it with a goal from Kevin Breeze 15 minutes from the end. IN the Welsh Alliance Glan Conwy won the local derby 4-0 at Conwy United, while Llanrwst United drew 0-0 at Rhydymwyn and Llandudno Junction were beaten 4-1 at home by Halkyn.

Karl Brown back at Colwyn Bay

2008-08-15T13:10:55Z

COLWYN BAY have made a surprise late addition to their squad ahead of Saturday's opening league game against Garforth Town by signing winger Karl Brown from Warrington Town. It will be Brown's third stint at Llanelian Road.

Video blog: Kick off for new football season

2008-08-15T11:54:56Z

My latest video blog concentrates on the start of the new football season, with the latest news from the Llandudno and Colwyn Bay camps.

Glan Conwy win again

2008-08-15T10:49:23Z

GLAN CONWY completed their pre-season preparations with a 4-0 win at Abergele on Wednesday. Shaun Shannon scored twice, with Mally Tidswell and Ashley Smith also on target, and that follows their 5-1 win over the Alliance side Mynydd Isa last weekend. Glan Conwy open their Welsh Alliance season with a derby game at Conwy United on Saturday.

Llandudno title blow; Mochdre win again

2008-08-09T22:47:41Z

LLANDUDNO suffered another blow to their title challenge in the North Wales Cricket League's Premier Division when they were put to the sword by Pontblyddyn's Charles Fernando. He took 4 fior 38 with the ball as Llandudno. without overseas players Romain Grenville, were bowled out for 147, of which skipper Aled Williams hit 41. Fernando then scored 94 not out with the bat to steer his side to an emphatic seven-wicket win at 150 for 3. That leaves Llandudno nine points behind leaders Menai Bridge who had their game washed out by the weather. MOCHDRE are only two points further behind after continuing their good run of form with victory over Connah's Quay. After restricting their opponents to 83 for 8, with Gareth Davies taking 3 for 19 off 12 overs, Mochdre won on 86 for three with Laurance Watson on 36 not out, to go level on points with Brymbo. LLANRWST had their game at Bethesda washed out by the weather as was CONWY'S game at Carmel and COLWYN BAY'S match at Lytham in the Liverpool Competition.

Hopley heads winner for Colwyn Bay; injury-hit Llandudno lose

2008-08-09T17:21:02Z

ROB HOPLEY headed an 88th minute goal to give Colwyn Bay a 1-0 victory over Llandyrnog United in a low key final pre-season friendly at Llanelian Road on Saturday (August 9). The Seagulls, with a number of key players unavailable, never reached the standards they showed in winning at Vauxhall Motors in midweek and struggled to break down a hard-working Llandyrnog side who defended in depth with eight and nine behind the ball at times. In a scrappy and disjointed first half, which saw Matty Wood booked, Llandyrnog were unluckly to hit a post after Farai Jackson dropped the ball from a corner, but for the most part neither keeper was unduely troubled. Colwyn Bay improved after the break with Karl Frost mis-kicking with only keeper Arwel Hughes to beat and then having a good shot turned round the post at full stretch by the keeper. Dean Canning also had a shot saved and put a header narrowly over the bar from Wood cross, while substitute Mitchell Booth, on for Robbie Williams who had a disappointing game, fired a good chance over the bar from another Wood run and cross. Luke O'Mahoney, who also came on as a second half substitute, shot narrowly wide after a good run and the game looked to be heading for a goalless draw until Rob Hopley, who was introduced from the bench for the last 10 minutes, headed the only goal of the game from an excellent diagonal cross by Paul Roberts with two minutes left. LLANDUNDO, with players missing through injury, lost 4-2 at home to a Trafford side who are likely to be one of Colwyn Bay's rivals for promotion in the Unibond Division One North. The Manchester side are unbeaten away from home for 12 months and showed some good attacking play to take a 2-0 lead at half-time through Scott Metcalfe and the dangerous Scott Barlow. They then added a quality third goal, but Llandudno battled well to get the score back to 3-2 with two good goals from Gaz Evans before Trafford got a fourth near the end. Joint manager Grant Montgomery said he'd taken a lot of postitives from the game, but at the moment is more concerned about getting some of his injured players fit for next Saturday's opening league game against Ruthin.

Video blog: Glamorgan and local cricket from Colwyn Bay

2008-08-08T14:16:15Z

This week's video blog is brought to you from the Glamorgan v Middlesex match at Colwyn Bay.

Seagulls impress at Vauxhall

2008-08-06T07:02:42Z

COLWYN BAY gave an impressive performance to win 4-2 at Conference North side Vauxhall Motors on Tuesday night, and with the new league season only 10 days away, it delighted manager Steve Pope. Karl Frost, who is coming back from a calf injury, was lively up front and Jamie McIntosh, when he came on in the second half, also took the eye with some charging runs through the middle. Apart from a 10 minute spell in the first half when Vauxhall scored their two goals, Colwyn Bay looked the better side and at times in the second half had the Conference side on the rack. "We've got so much pace and power up front now and when we play it right teams won't be able to live with us," said the manager. "Karl Frost needs a couple more games to get his fitness back, but he showed his qualities tonight and he will be the best striker in our league." Frost won a penalty in the opening four minutes, converted by Steve Aspinall, when he was fouled by the keeper challenging for a loose ball in the area, and then after Vauxhalls had gone 2-1 up with goals from Ged Brannan, from a corner, and Tom Rooney, Frost showed great coolness to get Bay's equaliser at 2-2 when he ran onto a ball over the top to round the keeper and score. The Seagulls switched from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 after Vauxhall's two goals and looked much more comfortable. Paul Roberts also did well when he came on for the second half in place of Lewis Callaghan, negating the threat of tricky winger Rio Nelson and putting in some good raiding runs down the right. Rob Hopley showed his strength and finishing to round the keeper and score Bay's third goal , after unluckily having an earlier goal disallowed by a late linesman's flag for offside, and Aspinall got his second goal of the game with a screamer from 30 yards. "I was a bit disappointed with the two goals we conceded, especially one from a corner, but overall I have to be happy with that," said Pope. After two unconvincing displays in their previous two games, this was very encouraging for Bay fans.

Cricket wins for Mochdre and Llandudno

2008-08-03T11:37:48Z

ADAM CAMPION carried his bat to score 96 not out as Mochdre moved into the top four of the North Wales Cricket League with a comprehensive 174-run win at Mold on Saturday (August 2). His anchor role helped Mochdre score 247 for 9 declared and they then dismissed Mold for 73 with Gareth Goodson taking 4 for 23 and Russ Boswell 3 for 16. An unbeaten half century by skipper Aled Williams helped LLANDUDNO beat Hawarden Park by three wickets to stay second in the table, five points behind leaders Menai Bridge. Llandudno won on 182 for 7 after bowling Hawarden Park out for 181 with Sam Rimmington 3 for 20 and Duncan Midgley, Jonathan Gallagher and Graham Boase claiming two wickets each. LLANRWST remain in the relegation danger zone after a 63-run defeat against Pontblyddyn after being bowled out for just 80 chasing Pontblyddyn's total of 143 for 9. Full reports and tables in Thursday's Weekly News.

Colwyn Bay lose to give-away goal

2008-08-02T17:33:48Z

A GIVE-AWAY goal 10 minutes from the end saw Colwyn Bay lose 1-0 at home to Unibond Premier Division side Hednesford Town in their latest pre-season friendly on Saturday (August 2). The Seagulls were unable to play their strongest side due a number of players feeling niggles and not being risked, and manager Steve Pope instead took the chance to look at one or two new faces, including ex-Crewe midfielder Alex Morris who has just been released by Altrincham. Assisant manager Paul Ogden said he thought it had been a good work out and that it was now the intention to try and play the likely first choice XI at Vauxhall Motors on Tuesday. A new back three of Tim Brandreth alongside new faces Nat Kerr and Scott Lycett took a while to settle and Hednesdford threatened early on and were unlucky when Tom Marshall's shot hit the crossbar. As Colwyn Bay strived to get some control, the referee ordered skipper Robbie Williams to be substituted on 28 minutes after two challenges that he deemed to be bookable offences, but the home side went close to taking the lead when Dean Canning put a fine header just wide of the far post from a Matty Wood cross. Hednesford, however , had nine efforts at goal in the first half to just two by Colwyn Bay, although Farai Jackson was never really tested, and they twice went close to scoring early in the second half through Dan Harvey. Colwyn Bay did get the ball in the net through Karl Frost, one of six substitutes usd by the Bay, but the whistle had already been blown for offside. Canning was unlucky when he beat the offside trap but the ball hit his knee and ran away from him when he had a clear run on goal, and the Seagulls failed to make the most of couple of other promising situations. The referee also ordered Hednesford to substitute Chad Sheppard after two bad challenges and the game looked to be heading for a 0-0 draw until the visitors were presented with a gift winner on 80 minutes. Scott Lycett, who had done well up to that point, tried to head the ball back to substitute keeper Alex Bentley, a cousin of England winger David Bentley, but it left the keeper stranded as visiting substitute Olando Junior nipped in to chip the ball over him for the only goal of the game. To my mind it was not a convincing display by the Bay with just two more friendlies left before the start of the season. I fear they rely so much on Canning and Hopley up front, but too often they are starved of decent service. LLANDUDNO also suffered a setback to their pre-season preparations when they had to play a much weakened side due to injuries and lost 3-2 at home to a strong looking Hollinswood side from Manchester. They were a goal down after only six minutes and then went 3-1 down, with Hollinswood's third goal coming from a perfectly judged lob from near the half-way line. Adam Jones and Jody Hamilton replied for Llandudno, whose friendly game against Llandudno Junction on Wednesday (August 6) has been switched from Junction to Maesdu Park.

Video blog: Cricket to banish an England fan's blues and more

2008-08-01T16:25:16Z

Watch my latest video blog where I talk about the Glamorgan games to come at Colwyn Bay and other local cricket matters. I also look at the pre-season football scene and offer my three sports predictions for the week ahead.

Brandreth double helps Colwyn Bay beat Llandudno

2008-07-29T21:06:23Z

TWO goals from Tim Brandreth helped Colwyn Bay beat Llandudno 3-1 in a pre-season friendly at Llanelian Road on Tuesday night (July 29). But Llandudno more than held their own for much of the game and it was only when Colwyn Bay introduced first choice strikers Dean Canning and Rob Hopley from the bench in the second half that they took control of the game. Even Seagulls manager Steve Pope admitted Llandudno were the better side in the first half with Alun Roberts testing Farai Jackson with a well struck shot and Jason Sadler very unlucky not to give his side the lead with an acrobatic volley which went inches wide of the post from an Alun Roberts cross. It was 35 minutes before Llandudno keeper Shaun Pearson had a save to make, turning a Tim Brandreth shot onto the post and away for corner, but Colwyn Bay took the lead three minutes before the break when Jamie MacKintosh's angled shot on the turn took a slight deflection and went in off the far post. Llandudno equalised eight minutes into the second half with a sharp finish by Jason Sadler, his fifth goal in three games, after taking a return pass form Caerwyn Roberts. Colwyn Bay then introduced Hopley and Canning and they had an immediate impact, while Llandudno suffered a double injury blow losing central defender Craig Hogg (ankle) and Gwyn Peters (hamstring). Tim Brandreth, moving up to support the attack, put the Bay back in front with a heander from a Danny Hughes cross, and although Sadler and Caerwyn Roberts both went close to getting a second Llandudno equaliser, Colwyn Bay dominated the last 10 minutes with Hopley going close with two headers from Dean Canning crosses, before Colwyn Bay got their third goal two minutes from the end. Llandudno failed to clear from a corner and when the ball was played back in, Tim Brandreth brought it down neatly before slotting past Pearson.

Pope disappointed after Colwyn Bay defeat

2008-07-26T17:07:37Z

COLWYN BAY manager Steve Pope described himself as "very disappointed" with his side's performance after they lost 2-0 at home to Wrexham in front of a crowd of nearly 700 on Saturday (July 26). Wrexham won with two first half goals and it was only in the last five minutes that Colwyn Bay created anything in front of goal. "I was very disappointed with our performance, " said the manager. "I don't know if we were overawed or what, but we didn't seem to want the ball and we didn't do any of the things we did well the other night against Tranmere. "We were better in the second half when Wrexham couldn't get through us and we also created two very good chances late in the game when Dean Canning and Rob Hopley should have scored, but overall we have to do much better than that." Colwyn Bay started brightly with some good attacking play in the opening five minutes, but Wrexham closed players down very quickly in midfield, giving Colwyn Bay no time on the ball and forcing a number of errors and free kicks. Carl Tremarco put Wrexham in front after 23 minutes with a well struck free kick on the edge of the area and when Colwyn Bay gave the ball away at the back four minutes later, Shaun Whalley broke clear to pick his spot past Matt Parry. Wrexham seemed to take their foot off the pedal in the second half, but always looked in control as Colwyn Bay struggled to string passes together. It was only in the last five minutes that the Seagulls created a real goalscoring opportunity when Dean Canning broke clear on the left but put his angled shot wide of the far post, and then Wrexham keeper Gavin Ward made a good save to turn Rob Hopley's close range shot for a corner. Wrexham manager Brian Little said Colwyn Bay and provided a "physical challenge" to his side, but he always felt they had the game under control. "I would have liked us to have kicked on in the second half and scored more goals, but when you have the game won at half-time it is easy for players to switch off a bit," he said afterwards. Steve Pope said he would be playing a different side against Llandudno on Tuesday (July 29), starting with players who did not get a game against Wrexham.

Video blog: Colwyn Bay FC during pre-season and other local sporting matters

2008-07-25T15:22:17Z

This is the first of my Friday video blogs. Feel free to post a comment to tell me your views on any of the subjects. And if you have questions I'll try to answer them in future blogs.