A GREAT header by skipper Alex Downes gave Colwyn Bay their first victory in the JD Cymru Premier League with a 1-0 success away to Penybont.
The only goal of the game came on 76 minutes from a deep Stef Edwards cross after Bay keeper Alfie Brooks had pulled off some fine saves to keep his first clean sheet in what was a tremendous result on a very hot and energy-sapping day.
Bay survived a couple of early scares in the first half with Brooks doing well to tip a header over the bar, while Penybont had a shot from Lewis Harling deflect off a Bay defender onto the post.
But the Seagulls gradually grew into the game and wasted a great chance to take the lead when Udi Akpan got clear one-on-one with the keeper but saw his shot saved when a square pass could have played in Jamie Cumming.
Cumming then had a shot from 20 yards saved by the keeper.
Alfie Brooks made a couple more great saves early in the second half, including tipping an Ashley Evans header onto the bar.
Bay then defended well under heavy Bont pressure before snatching the lead with Alex Downes’ powerful far post header.
Nick Rushton might have added a second but saw his header from a corner cleared off the line, and PenyBont also saw a goalbound effort cleared off the line in the closing seconds to deny them a last-gasp equaliser.
The win lifted the Bay out of the bottom two relegation places.
“The performance from every single one of the players was phenomenal today,” manager Steve Evans said.
“I’m lost for words a little bit because we know how well drilled Penybont are, I’d say they’re in the top three teams in the league.
“Griff has done a great job and it’s always going to be tough when you come here – they’re physical but they can play as well. I thought today we stood up to it to a man.
“First half was pretty even – they probably had a little bit more possession but we had the two best chances.
“Second half they came out of the blocks fast – first 10 minutes we had to ride our luck.
“But our defending, and I’ve said it week in week out, our desire and commitment’s there. We just had to brush up on a few things.
“Today was a complete performance in terms of bodies on the line, defending – what you need to win games.”
Listen to Evo’s full post-match interview on Manager Interview – Penybont Away 9th September 2023 – YouTube
COLWYN BAY: Alfie Brooks, Alex Downes (c), Guto Williams, Sam Hart, Dan M Jones, Danny Holmes (Cai Owen 75), Stef Edwards, Nick Rushton, Tom Creamer (Matty Hill 83), Jamie Cumming, Udoyen Akpan. Subs not used: Joe Smith (G), Dylan Allshorn, Danny R Jones, Sam Turner.
Attendance: 216
