Our reporter Paul, Boosh Taliesin @BooshPemberton, stays at home for this game, cheering on his beloved Seagulls.
On a warm end of summer evening a large crowd of the Bay faithful congregated at Llanelian Road, the home of the Seagulls, Colwyn Bay. Flags adorned the new stand and railings around the ground, with many supporters in their replica shirts. The busy hubbub of a match day that Y Bae supporters are used too.
If you think Cymru Leagues football is one man and dog, then get to Colwyn Bay. A big crowed of all ages; as vocal in their support for their team as any professional club.
Supporting The Bay, Y Bae, is as much a right of passage as any club in the English Premier league. Dads take their kids and it soon becomes part of your weekly cycle of life. I have seen friends bring their children, watched them grow up on the terrace of The Bay and now bring their children. I did with my lad, as my dad did with me, and I am happy to report I still sit with Bill, my father. It’s fantastic that you don’t just see dads and lads but also mums and daughters and sons. We are a family club. I say we as I feel the club belongs to us, as much as we belong to it. How many can say that about the now corporate large football clubs?
So, I shall try to be as non-biased in my report as I can.
Last season’s Cymru League champions arrived in Old Colwyn, touted by everyone and his mam to be league champions this year too. There was an air of anticipation. Could The Bay find the form to hold the best team in the league?
TNS welcomed the return of Chris Marriot and the new signing Rory Holden. For The Bay, there was the full return of Cai Owen & Sam Heart.
The visitors started the strongest, using the ball well to open spaces, probing The Bay back line. 4 mins in TNS had a speculative shot that flew over the bar. A shot across the bows this was their statement of intent. 4 minutes later a free kick to TNS on the left 10 yards short of The Bay box, well defended by the home side.
Most of the first half saw The Bay soaking up massive amounts of pressure from the visitors. Steve Evans, the Bay manager had drilled his team well. They held their shape and formation well, frustrating TNS at every turn. Guto Willaims & Alex Downs having solid games in central defence, deputising for the injured Louis Sirrell & Danny Homes.
TNS’s Josh Pask had a knock to the head in the 33rd min, replaced by Blain Hudson. Pask was ok but this was a precautionary substitution by manager Craig Harrison.
The Bay’s best attempt came from good new signing Udi Akapan. Through on the keeper, his last touch just let him down. A touch too hard or it could have quite easily been a goal to The Bay on his home début.
The second half began where the first left off with TNS dominating possession. A great side to watch as they tried to expose any weakness in the home team’s defence. The Bay resolute, working to keep their shape and discipline.
The deadlock was broken in the 55th minute with an excellent cross into the box from Marriot, met by the head of Adrian Cieslewicz . One nil TNS.
As in all coastal towns, the tide turned. In the 69th min Sam Heart replaced the hard working Cai Owen, who had played a massive part in all the good things The Bay had done. Also Matty Hill on for Tom Marsh-Hughes, Jammie Cumming for Tommy Creamer, then a little later Sam Turner for Dylan Allshorn.
The Bay, finally figured out how to play against TNS by going on the offensive. TNS looked rattled as crosses and shots came in. TNS though, have the best defensive record in the league and denied the Seagulls.
One last gasp for the New Saints and they had a solitary attack, just caressing the crossbar.
Colwyn Bay 0 The New Saints 1
4 C Crosses Construction Arena, 29th August 2023
Attendance 841
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